Ikoli Harcourt-Whyte (1905–1977) popularly known as Harcourt Whyte, was a Nigerian composer best remembered for his classic hymn "Atula Egwu".
Harcourt Whyte | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Ikoli Harcourt-Whyte 1905 |
| Died | 1977 (aged 71–72) Rivers State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | gospel |
| Occupation(s) | vocalist, singer |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1921–1977 |
Life
editIkoli was born in Abonnema in the old Niger Delta region in 1905. He was named Ikoli as a baby by his parents Munabo and Odibo. Between 1915 and 1918, he attended a number of schools including Bishop Crowther Memorial School. He was an active member of the school brass bands and took interest in playing the flute and side-drum.[1] Later on in his life, he adopted the name Harcourt Whyte. His people, the Kalabaris relied on fishing and trading, and Ikoli as a child was trained in these skills.[2] In 1919, he was diagnosed with leprosy after symptoms were first noticed in 1918. In the early 1920s, he was sent to Port Harcourt General Hospital where he developed his talent in music and went on to form a vocalist band with forty other lepers.[3] In 1932, he was transferred to Uzuakoli Leprosy Hospital, Bende Division, Eastern Nigeria where he met doctor-reverend-musician T.F. Davey from England. Whyte was encouraged by Davey, who took him on village survey tours to collect various traditional sounds. In 1949, after 34 years of ill health, Whyte was finally cured and discharged by Davey as "clean".[4] Whyte dedicated much of his life to the betterment and education of lepers who suffered the same illness as he once did. He performed sacred compositions inspired by Methodist Church hymns and Wesleyan doctrinal philosophy. His works attracted wide interest and were popular throughout the Igboland, eventually earning him the title of "father of Igbo church music".[5][6][7] His career saw him compose over 600 hymns and compositions in the Igbo language.[2][8]
Death
editLegacy
editThe life of Harcourt Whyte was depicted and some of his hymns were sampled in a 1985 stage play titled Hopes of the Living Dead by Ola Rotimi.[11][12]
Otuto Nke Chukwu as performed by Harcourt Whyte was sampled in "بنی آدم" and "Champion of the World" in Everyday Life by Coldplay.
Bibliography
edit- Achinivu Kanu Achinivu (1979). Ikoli Harcourt Whyte: The Man and His Music : a Case of Musical Acculturation in Nigeria. Verlag der Musikalienhandlung K.D. Wagner. ISBN 978-3-921029-67-1.
References
edit- ^ Achinivu 1979, p. 78.
- ^ a b African Music. African Music Society. 1980.
- ^ "Nigerian Art Music". Open Edition. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
- ^ Achinivu 1979, p. 85.
- ^ Alexander Akorlie Agordoh (2005). African Music: Traditional and Contemporary. Nova Publishers. pp. 131–. ISBN 978-1-59454-554-2.
- ^ Michael Popkin (1978). Modern Black writers. Ungar. ISBN 978-0-8044-3258-0.
- ^ Bode Omojola (4 April 2013). Nigerian Art Music: With an Introduction Study of Ghanaian Art Music. Institut français de recherche en Afrique. pp. 51–. ISBN 979-10-92312-13-3.
- ^ "Why we're reviving Harcourt Whyte's music —Foundation". News Express. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
- ^ The World of Music. International Music Council, Unesco House. 1985.
- ^ Niyi Coker (January 2005). Ola Rotimi's African Theatre: The Development of an Indigenous Aesthetic. E. Mellen Press. ISBN 978-0-7734-6147-5.
- ^ Ola Rotimi (January 1988). Hopes of the Living Dead: A Drama of Struggle. Spectrum Books. ISBN 978-978-2460-13-4.
- ^ Martin Banham; Errol Hill (4 August 1994). The Cambridge Guide to African and Caribbean Theatre. Cambridge University Press. pp. 82–. ISBN 978-0-521-41139-4.