Darlington Okofu

BIO

Darlington Okofu (born on 24 June 1985) is a Nigerian pianist and composer based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Okofu started playing drums at the age of 12. His late brother taught him how to play the piano at the age of 16. In the years that followed, he aggressively sought knowledge of the instrument.

His music career was scarcely recognised and encouraged in Nigeria and he would find himself torn between his newly found love and the expectations of his parents to pursue studies in a different discipline.

In the winter of 2007, Okofu moved to South Africa to pursue his musical dreams. Despite having not formally studied music, he has made the best of the ever-growing technology available to this generation, to advance his knowledge. He was mentored by some of the great piano players like Mncedi Kupa, Joey Calderrazo, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Bheki Mseleku, and Kenny Kirkland.

Okofu has performed and recorded with some of the finest musicians that has ever emerged from Africa. Some of which are: Selaelo Selota, Judith Sephuma, Brenda Mtambo, Victor Ntoni, Khaya Mahlangu, and Faith Kekana, among others.

With the years Okofu has spent in South Africa, his compositions come through with a freshness that cannot be singularly attributed to neither South or West Africa.

His lively and energetic performance has earned him much recognition in the industry.