Ugonna Okegwo

Born in London, Okegwo is the son of Christel Katharina Lulf and Madueke Benedict Okegwo. In 1963 the family moved to Münster, Germany, where Okegwo grew up.^[3][4] As a youngster he enjoyed working with his hands and played the electric bass. At age 21, he took a class in violin-making and started playing the upright bass.^[4]

In 1986 Okegwo moved to Berlin and studied with bassist Jay Oliver and pianist Walter Norris. He then joined trombonist Lou Blackburn's group for a tour in Europe and played with Joe Newman, Oliver Jackson and Major Holley.^[1]

In 1989 Okegwo moved to New York City and worked with saxophonists Big Nick Nicholas, Junior Cook and James Spaulding. He worked with vocalist Jon Hendricks on a regular basis. He earned a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Long Island University, graduating summa cum laude in 1994. In the early 1990s Okegwo formed a trio with pianist Jacky Terrasson and drummer Leon Parker.^[1][3] In 1997 he started to perform regularly in Tom Harrell ensembles.^[4] He is a member of the Tom Harrell Quintet and the Mingus Big Band, and he is an associate instructor of music at Columbia University.^[5][6][7]

In 2002, Okegwo released his first album as a leader titled Uoniverse. About creating music Okegwo said, producing a note is human and personal and "in a rhythm section, the bass is the center, creating something constantly."^[4]

Okegwo has worked with a wide range of artists, including Kenny Barron, Michael Brecker, Benny Carter, Johnny Griffin, Wynton Marsalis, James Moody, Clark Terry, Pharoah Sanders,^[3] Steve Wilson, Michael Wolff,^[4] Bruce Barth, Steve Davis, Dario Chiazzolino, Lionel Hampton, Sam Newsome, Kurt Rosenwinkel and others.^[8]

As leader

• Uoniverse (Satchmo Jazz, 2002)

As sideman

Credits partly adapted from AllMusic.^[8] This list is incomplete.

With Tom Harrell

• The Art of Rhythm (RCA Victor, 1998)
• Light On (HighNote, 2007)
• Prana Dance (HighNote, 2009)
• Roman Nights (HighNote, 2010)
• The Time of the Sun (HighNote, 2011)
• Number Five (HighNote, 2012)
• Colors of a Dream (HighNote, 2013)
• TRIP (HighNote, 2014)
• First Impressions (HighNote, 2015)
• Something Gold, Something Blue (HighNote, 2016)
• Moving Picture (HighNote, 2017)
• Oak Tree (HighNote, 2022)^[9]
• Alternate Summer (HighNote, 2024)^[10]

With LaVerne Butler

• Love Lost and Found Again (HighNote, 2012)

With Peter Zak

• The Decider (SteepleChase, 2009)

With Dan Faulk

• Dan Faulk Songbook, Vol.1 (Ugli Fruit, 2002)

With Jacky Terrasson

• Lover Man (Venus, 2002, Recorded 1993)
• Jacky Terrasson (Blue Note, 1994)
• Reach (Blue Note, 1996)
• Alive (Blue Note, 1998)
• What It Is (Blue Note, 1999)
• A Paris... (Blue Note, 2001)

With Sam Newsome

• This Masquerade (SteepleChase, 2000)
• The Tender Side of Sammy Straighthor (SteepleChase, 2000)
• Global Unity (Palmetto, 2001)

With Jon Hendricks

• Boppin' at the Blue Note (Telarc, 1994)

With Wayne Escoffery

• The Humble Warrior (2020)

With Riverside Trio

• Riverside (2022)^[11]

With Mark Sherman

• With Freedom (2023)^[12]