The Life and Legacy of Little Ayo Bankole
Donald Macleod explores Ayo Bankole’s career, from Lagos to London and beyond, with Alexander Douglas.
Donald Macleod turns to Ayo Bankole, a central figure in the generation after Fela Sowande. With Alexander Douglas, he traces Bankole’s early years in Lagos, where his musical gifts were recognised and shaped within church and school life. Studies in London and Cambridge opened up new musical worlds while also placing him within a very different cultural environment. His music reflects these experiences, drawing together Yoruba traditions and European forms in piano pieces, songs and larger works. A return to Nigeria in the 1960s brought a new phase of teaching, research and composition.
Egun Variations in G major
Ayo Bankole
Rebeca Omordia, piano
Variations for Little Ayo
Ayo Bankole
Rebeca Omordia, piano
Nigerian Suite: I–V
Ayo Bankole
Rebeca Omordia, piano
Three Yoruba Songs
Ayo Bankole
Omo Bello, soprano
Rebeca Omordia, piano
Ya Orule
Ayo Bankole
Rebeca Omordia, piano
Piano Sonata No. 2 in C major “The Passion”: I–III
Ayo Bankole
Rebeca Omordia, piano
Produced by Ellie Ajao for ĢƵ Audio Wales & West.
Last on
Music Played
-
Ayo Bankole
Egun Variations
Performer: Rebeca Omordia.- SOMM.
-
Ayo Bankole
Variations for little Ayo
Performer: Rebeca Omordia.- HERITAGE.
-
Ayo Bankole
Nigerian Suite
Performer: Rebeca Omordia.- HERITAGE.
-
Ayo Bankole
3 Yoruba Songs
Performer: Rebeca Omordia. Singer: Omo Bello.- SOMM.
-
Ayo Bankole
Ya Orule
Performer: Rebeca Omordia.- HERITAGE.
Broadcast
- Wed 8 Jul 2026 16:00ĢƵ Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Composers A to Z
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.



