Babatunde Lea

Babatunde Lea, born Michael Wayne Lea on February 18, 1948 in Danville, Virginia, is an American percussionist known for his work in Afro-Cuban jazz and worldbeat. Raised in Englewood, New Jersey, Lea began drumming at age 11 and was influenced by Nigerian drummer Babatunde Olatunji, adopting his first name. At 16, he participated in his first professional recording session with Ed Townsend. In 1968, Lea moved to San Francisco, joining bands like Bata Koto and Juju. He collaborated with notable artists such as Stan Getz, Joe Henderson, McCoy Tyner, Randy Weston, Van Morrison, Oscar Brown Jr., and Mark Murphy. Lea founded the Educultural Foundation in 1993 and later established Motéma Music with Jana Herzen in 2003. His albums include Level of Intent (1995) and Umbo Weti (2009).