Dave Okumu | |
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Birth name | David Jairus Ochieng Okumu |
Born |
Vienna, Austria |
October 12, 1976
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, producer |
Instruments | Guitar, keyboards |
Years active | 2000s–present |
Labels | Ninja Tune, Universal |
Associated acts | The Invisible, Jessie Ware, Anna Calvi |
David Jairus Ochieng Okumu, born 12 October 1976 in Vienna, Austria is the singer and guitarist best known for fronting the critically acclaimed band The Invisible. Their debut album, released in March 2009, was nominated for a Mercury Prize (2009) and selected as 'iTunes album of the year'.
Okumu grew up in Vienna, surrounded by music enthusiasts. He moved to the UK when he was 10 because his father, Washington Okumu, placed himself in exile. His love of music, which developed from a young age, has led him to become a songwriter, producer and performing musician. He has performed and recorded with many artists such as Amy Winehouse, St. Vincent, Jane Birkin, Sara Creative Partners, Brigitte Fontaine, Theo Parrish, Tony Allen, King Sunny Adé, Omar, Matthew Herbert, Dani Siciliano, Toddla T, Bilal, Jack De Johnette, and Anna Calvi.
Okumu began working with Jessie Ware in 2010 where he co-wrote and produced Ware's debut album Devotion, which was later recognised as Album of the Year (2012) by the Mercury Prize.