The AfroNubians (also known as Tarig Abubakar & The Afro Nubians) was a world music band based in Toronto. They played newly-composed and traditional pan-African-style music, blended with Latin, reggae, rock sounds.

History

The AfroNubians came together in 1992. The group's founders included

Sudan Sudan ( or ; ar, السودان, as-Sūdān, officially the Republic of the Sudan ( ar, جمهورية السودان, link=no, Jumhūriyyat as-Sūdān), is a country in Northeast Africa. It shares borders with the Central African Republic t ...

ese immigrant Tarig Abubakar (1964-1998) as leader and principal composer, guitarist

Adam Solomon Adam "The Professor" Solomon (born 1 January 1963 in Mombasa, Kenya) is a Juno Award-winning composer, guitar maestro, and singer. Solomon began performing at an early age, playing the kivoti (flute) and the kayamba ( shaker) at village celebrati ...

, lead guitarist Joe Szilagy (aka Joe Slant), keyboardist Wail Hajelamin, drummer Kofi Acka, saxophonist Bruno Hedman and bassist Mohammed Hajelamin. In 1993, the AfroNubians toured western Canada, and in 1994 released their first album, ''Tour to Africa''. In 1995, they released the album ''The Great Africans'' and were named Band of the Year at the Toronto African Music Awards. That was followed by three tours across Canada and, in 1997, the Toronto Arts Council released their third album, ''Hobey Laik''. In 1998, shortly before the band was scheduled to embark on its first U.S. tour, Abubakar took a trip to

and was killed in a motor vehicle accident. In 2005, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation released a CD, produced by Todd Fraracci, of two of the band's live concerts. Musicians included on the CD with Abubakar, Solomon, and Szilagy were Bruno Hedman (saxophone), Jim Heineman (saxophone and flute), Pa Jo (lead guitar), Altaf Bwana Moto (drums) and Joseph Ashong (percussion).

Discography

* 1994: ''Tour to Africa'' * 1995: ''The Great Africans'' * 1997: ''Hobey Laik'' * 2005: ''Tarig Abubakar & Afronubians Live''

References

External links

"Tarig Ahmed Abubakar: He was my friend"
obituary by Opiyo Oloya
Afropop Worldwide: AfroNubiansCBC Shop: ''Tarig Abubakar & Afronubians Live''
(with band background) {{DEFAULTSORT:AfroNubians Musical groups established in 1992 Musical groups disestablished in 1998 Musical groups from Toronto Canadian world music groups 1992 establishments in Ontario 1998 disestablishments in Ontario