Awards & Reviews
WHAT OTHER PROMINENT ARTISTS IN JAZZ HAVE TO SAY ABOUT KÚNLÉ: .
‘KUNLE! It’s a good thing we in the States don’t know what that name means, because once you hear his incredible, energetic, world-beat, soulful, jazzy, uplifting music, you’ll still be baffled anyway! What is a Kunle?! Just listen and be transformed.
– ‘America’s smooth Jazz and great Saxophonist , eleven time Grammy Award nominee, ‘Kirk Whalum’
‘Giving a shout out to you — Mr. Kunle, musician extraordinaire. The world awaits your awesome talent. Keep spreading the love with your beautiful music. “Coming to a town near you” master musician Kunle / bringing you all styles…jazz, afro, soul, funk, mellow vibes
– Professor at Department of African –American Studies at Georgia state University and band leader at Common ground collective, ‘Mausiki Scales’
“Kunle has a rare combination of gifts—he is able to tell a story simply with a melody on guitar and at the same time, fill the ears of a listener with an incredibly authentic musical point of view. His passion feels rooted in his love for his homeland and his distinct appreciation for humanity. The music he makes is a thing of beauty”.
– Platinum selling Saxophonist and eight-time Grammy nominee ‘Dave Koz’
2004 – Kora Awards – Beyond the Borders – Best Male West Artist (West Africa)
2005 – Channel O Awards – Slowly But Surely (single), Beyond the Borders (Album) -Best Jazz Video
2009 – Nigeria Achievement Award – Best Musical Group, Kunle Ayo and his band. Awarded by President Goodluck Jonathan
2011 – Metro FM Award – Best of Both Worlds – Best Contemporary Jazz Album
2015 – AFRIMA Award – Best Jazz Artist in Africa
2017 – Nigeria Community Excellence Award – Best overall Nigerian Music Artist
2017-SAAMA Awards – Best Afro Jazz Album