Juno Award-nominated King Achilla Orru Apaa-Idomo is a positive force, celebrated for his musical talent, resolve and resourcefulness. His talent enriches his adopted community of Toronto, the world venues that enjoy his music and his native Uganda. Achilla is truly a global citizen.
King Achilla has produced three CDs, which have received international acknowledgment, including the FIATTE Memorial Award for best traditional performer in 1996, twice recognized by the World Music Symposium in Germany, and a Juno nomination in 2005 for Best World Music of the Year. King Achilla’s music has received considerable critical acclaim for its unique blend of the African lokombe sound with rhythms and sounds of Western instruments.
At the age of six, King Achilla lost his sight to measles; however, nothing deterred him from pursuing his passions, and he has a lifetime of achievement in music and community involvement prove this. He arrived in Canada in 1989, after spending four years in a refugee camp in Kenya. His scholastic record from Uganda qualified him for acceptance to Dalhousie University in the International Development program, from which he graduated in 1994. Despite the heavy academic load, he was able to start a band, Baana Afrique, in his second year of university.
Since arriving in Toronto in 1995, he has toured with Baana Afrique all across Canada. In Toronto the band has played at Roy Thompson Hall, CBC Glen Gould Studio, Harbourfront, major festivals and the International Youth celebrations for the Papal visit in 2003.
In January 2008 King Achilla was featured as the soloist of the year with the Royal Dutch Wind Ensemble in Amsterdam at the Concertgebouw, one of the most prestigious concert halls in Europe.
King Achilla has also given back to the community by serving on a number of boards and through benefit concerts. He has lent his musical talents to many charities, including Amnesty International, Crossroads Canada, YMCA, UNESCO, Canada World Youth, Human Rights Canada, CNIB, AMREF, Stepping Stones, and the Jane Goodall Institute. He is regularly called upon by federal and provincial political parties to sing O Canada to open various functions.
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