Onche Rajesh Ugbabe

Onche Rajesh Ugbabe is a Nigerian composer resident in Ghana, who is active on the cutting edge of the African art music scene.

He was born and raised in Nigeria and studied music composition at Dartmouth College with Jon Appleton, Larry Polansky, Charles Dodge, and (Pulitzer Prize winner) Paul Moravec, where he was the recipient of numerous awards and grants. Mr. Ugbabe has written for a wide variety of ensembles and instruments including symphony orchestra, string quartet, various chamber ensembles, solo piano, electronics, and jazz big band. His compositions have been performed by the renowned Lark Quartet, prominent jazz saxophonist Odean Pope, leading marimba player Robert van Sice and the acclaimed Ying Quartet, amongst others. He is the recipient of recent commissions from Ensemble Modern for the Oluzayo Festival in Germany and the US-based Akojopo African Art Music Commissioning Project. Mr. Ugbabe has also collaborated in music production and performance with a range of artists and musicians from Africa and the US and has lectured at numerous music workshops and conferences.