While the news had been unfolding for more than a month that Nigeria's World Beat master King Sunny Ade was canceling dates on his tour piece-by-piece in the wake of the tragic car accident that killed Gabriel Ayanniyi and Omo Olope, both members of his band, he has now officially canceled his entire North American tour. Dates canceled included engagements at Festival International de Louisiane, New Orleans JazzFest, and the Houston International Festival. (Filling in there? An extra long George Clinton set!)Supposedly the final cancellations were made because two replacement musicians weren't able to attain U.S. visas in time for the tour.
In the meantime, King Sunny Ade still made his own trip to the U.S., in order to record a Yoruba language version of the official World Cup anthem, which he is slotted to perform at the opening ceremonies of the World Cup in June.
