Master drummer Babatunde Olatunji, 68, champions his instrument, the timekeeper and heartbeat of music, as a religious salve. When he speaks of the drum’s sound as not only a universal language but one that is capable of articulating prayers and offerings, he speaks, without boast, of his own deftness and virtuosity.
To celebrate Nigeria’s 35th year of (oft-troubled) independence, the Nigerian-born percussionist, perhaps the signal African drummer, brings his troupe and its swarming, riddling music to Chicago for a three-hour-plus concert beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday at the New Regal Theatre, 1645 E. 79th St. His fiery drum and dance corps includes nearly two dozen colorful performers.
“As humans, we do everything in rhythm–the whole world revolves in rhythm. And yet the world is out of rhythm–almost,” he said with a faint smile during a Chicago stopover between visits to Tokyo and Berlin.
A 1954 graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Olatunji completed his political science coursework for a doctorate at New York University but did not write his dissertation, which would have charted his course as a diplomat. Instead, he chose music.
Many new Olatunji acolytes came after his 1991 formation, with Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, of the percussion ensemble Planet Drum and the Grammy-winning album of the same title.
“Drums are for communication, for socialization and most importantly, for healing,” he said.
Be prepared to dance.
Tickets are $25 and available through Ticketmaster, 559-1212.
