Chuks Okpu
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Chuks Okpu

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Band Jazz Pop

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"Chuks Okpu: Chuk for Chick"

There are plenty of musicians who call themselves multi-instrumentalists, but Chuks Okpu is the real deal. Steve Bailey, who has been working with Okpu at Berklee, sent us this video for the song “Chuk for Chick,” which is inspired by Chick Corea.

Okpu lays down the drums, keys, double bass, and electric bass with an incredible groove and level of musicianship. After taking solos on keys and upright, Okpu is joined by four more bassists – Elin Sandberg, Max McKellar, Luke Sairattanyu, and Mauricio Morales – to throw down some serious licks. - Kevin Johnson


"Top 10: The Most Watched Bass Videos (January 2014)"

Hard to believe how fast 2014 is already moving. Maybe it is in part due to all the great bass videos we were able to watch in January.

Of the 31 we featured, these 10 were tops with readers.

#1. Chuks Okpu: Chuk for Chick
#2. Nico Aranda: “Get Lucky” Solo Bass Cover
#3. Simon Fitzpatrick: Flight of the Bumblebee… on Bass
#4. Steve Jenkins: Sphere
#5. Gheorghe Postoronca: Crazy Train
#6. Sebastian Sanhueza: 50 Bass Intros
#7. Victor Wooten and Steve Bailey: NAMM Jam 2014
#8. Bryan Ladd, Justin Stanton and Jason Patterson: Havona
#9. Yuval Raz: All Bass Arrangement of Opeth’s “To bid you farewell”
#10. Spare Parts: Quarter Pulse - Corey Brown


"Giorgi Mikadze: “Love Never Felt So Good” Michael Jackson Cover, Featuring Chuks Okpu"

Berklee student and pianist Giorgi Mikadze arranged Michael Jackson’s “Love Never Felt So Good” for this live performance at the school’s Performance Center. And what an arrangement it is.

Bassist Chuks Okpu lays down the funky lines on this tune, which also features the rapper Ryan Easter, to bring together one unique and refreshing take.

No Treble readers may remember Chuks as an incredible instrumentalist, thanks to his “Chuk for Chick” video we shared back in January. - Corey Brown


"Boston Globe: ALL THAT JAZZ"

ALL THAT JAZZ Chuks Okpu, a Nigerian student attending Berklee College of Music, performs the final concert of the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival/Berklee Summer Series in Salem on Saturday, Aug. 8.

At age 16, Okpu — a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer — began touring Nigeria, South Africa, and North America as the bassist for the band Jazz Cats.

He also has assembled musicians and friends from around the world to perform original compositions. His band includes Patrick Simrad (Canada) on drums; Giorgi Mikadze (Georgia) on piano; Gregory Groover Jr. (United States) on tenor sax; and Cosimo Boni (Italy) on trumpet.

The free show runs 5 to 7 p.m. in Derby Square. Visit salemjazzsoul.com. - Wendy Killeen


Discography

Still working on that hot first release.

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

Known for his unique style situated at the crossroads of various musical influences such as jazz, Afro-beat, traditional, funk, gospel, and Latin music, Nigerian bassist Chuks Okpu is also a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer. He began touring Nigeria, South Africa, and the United States as the bassist for the band Jazz Cats at the age of 16. His main influences include musicians John Patitucci, Gary Peacock, Christian McBride, Jaco Pastorius, Eddie Gomez, and Marcus Miller.

After hearing about Berklee College of Music through musicians that he had admired, Chuks decided to audition. After auditioning, he received a full scholarship from Berklee College of Music where he’s now in his final semester majoring in Performance mentored by Steve Bailey and John Patitucci.

Chuks is now continuing on his journey of new musical horizons that has recently been noticed by Jazz legends such as Rufus Reid, Ron Carter and Chick Corea. 

Band Members