Achilla Orru
Uganda-born musician (1959–2013)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
King Achilla Rufino Orru Apaa-idomo (August 17, 1959 – February 4, 2013) was a Uganda-born blind musician whose primary instrument was the lukembé.[1] His ethnic background was Karamojong.
Early life and education
Orru was born in Karamoja, Uganda.[1] After losing his sight at age seven, he attended Madera Special School for the Blind; he learned to play the Kalimba (thumb piano),[2] and won a junior prize for his skill with this instrument.[1]
Orru came to Canada as a refugee in 1989.[3] He studied international development at Dalhousie University in Halifax, graduating in 1995. While there he formed a band, Baana Afrique.
Career
Orru moved to Toronto after graduation, and reformed his band with local musicians in 1995. He toured both with them and as a solo musician, using the stage name King Achilla Orru Apaa-Idomo.[4] He released an album of lukembe music, Apaa-Idomo, in 1996.[5]
In Toronto, Orru was also well known as a TTC subway musician, often playing at Bloor-Yonge subway station.[4][6]
In 2003 Orru performed at the World Music Exposition in Germany.
Orru's 2004 album Dho-Mach (Sacred Gift) was nominated for the 2005 Juno Award for World Music Album of the Year.[7] In 2008 he performed as a soloist with the Royal Dutch Wind Ensemble in Amsterdam.[4]
Orru died on February 4, 2013, at the age of 53.[8]