Baba Yaya, Iluminado Maldonado, Ifagbemi Ogbetumako, has laid down his robe. A Beloved Master Musician from New York and the San Francisco Bay Area, Baba Yaya was also  a world renown Artist, Akpon, Batalero, Husband, Father, Stepfather, Babalocha, Oluwo, Sufi, Rumbero, Artist, Photographer, Writer, Interpreter and Vietnam Veteran.

Since he was a teenager in Brooklyn, he was immersed in a love for music.  At that time he played piano in a jazz band that continues to this day, and carried forward his love of jazz for his entire life.  He also infused his creativity into poetry and other writing genres, photography, and art.  He gave unselfishly of his energy, artistry and spiritual knowledge against seemingly insurmountable health challenges.

Since the early 1970s, the Afro-Cuban rumba community has gathered in the San Francisco East Bay to preserve the traditional folkloric music known as Afro-Cuban Rumba, and many other styles of Afro-Cuban religious and secular music, song, dance and celebration. Baba Yaya, a Puerto Rican musician and educator, came along on this wave of musical and cultural resurgence from Brooklyn, NY and was able to establish a consistent rumba gathering at La Peña in Berkeley in partnership with Afro-Cuban rumberos living in the East Bay in the mid 1990s. Today, the rumba at La Peña serves the community as the only consistent rumba gathering in the East Bay, meeting twice a month year-round.

Throughout the years, the Berkeley rumba, under the organization of Baba Yaya, has hosted numerous groups and individuals from Cuba including members of Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, one of the most internationally well-known rumba groups of all time from Matanzas, Cuba. It has also provided pathways for travel to Cuba for American students and musicians resulting in the fostering of intercultural connection, appreciation and respect between musicians in the Bay Area and culture bearers from Cuba.

Rumba is more than just a style of music – it is a unique cultural blend of rhythm, dance, and poetry. It’s an important part of Afro-Cuban culture, and in its earliest forms served as an outlet for resistance, protest, poetry, dance, and celebration of life in the midst of challenging times.

Baba is an Babalocha (priest) initiated to Obatala, a Babalawo and an Oluwo, initiated in Ifa.  Baba also received initiation to Anya, the sacred bata drums, from the hands of Chief Yagbe Awolowo Onilu in the 1990s, and since then has participated in drumming rituals throughout the Bay area whenever asked. 

He is survived by his children, stepchildren, godchildren and his cherished wife and apetebi Jolaoso Prettythunder who has been his sole caregiver for the past 10+ years, without respite and while working full time.  

In the spring of 2021, it became apparent that she would have to quit working in order to meet his considerable health needs.  He was legally blind, and with her full time support, he was able to continue fulfilling the spiritual needs of the community and his spiritual house, continue teaching drumming and singing, and live a full life with joy (and a wicked sense of humor!).

However, the family is in need of considerable financial assistance.  For his Home Going expenses we are presently receiving donations and love offerings to assist them.  Our goal is to raise $30,000 in order to cover ceremonial needs and living expenses for his family for the indeterminate future. 

At this time no public memorial services are planned, if this changes another announcement will be made. Please respect the family’s privacy. In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated.

Donations may also be made via

Paypal: @sleepinglady

CashApp: $Jolaoso

Venmo: @Prettythunder