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King Achilla Rufino Orru Apaa-idomo (August 17, 1959 – February 4, 2013) was a Uganda-born blind musician whose primary instrument was the mbira. "Lives Lived: Achilla Orru Apaa-Idomo, 54". The Globe and Mail, March 18, 2013. Opiyo Oloya His ethnic background was Karamojong.
Orru came to Canada as a refugee in 1989. "Subway musician passes" . Metro, Feb 21, 2013, page 4. He studied international development at Dalhousie University in Halifax, graduating in 1995. While there he formed a band, Baana Afrique.
In Toronto, Orru was also well known as a TTC subway musician, often playing at Bloor-Yonge subway station.
In 2003 Orru performed at the World Music Exposition in Germany.
Orru's 2004 album Dho-Mach (Sacred Gift) was nominated for the 2005 Juno Award for World Music Album of the Year. "Nominees & Winners 2005". Juno Awards website. Accessed September 18, 2019 In 2008 he performed as a soloist with the Royal Dutch Wind Ensemble in Amsterdam.
Orru died on February 4, 2013, at the age of 53.
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