This painting depicts four musicians in traditional Yoruba dress. The muted colours are reminiscent of those used in traditional Nigerian textiles. Grillo was born in Lagos in 1934. He studied at the Zaria College of Arts,Science and Technology, achieving his diploma in 1960 and a postgraduate diploma the following year. He went on to study at Cambridge University and in both the United States and Germany. He has undertaken commissions using many different media, including glass as well as painting and his work has been exhibited internationally. This painting was lent to the University of Birmingham by H.A. Lidderdale in 1968 and was then acquired by bequest in 1992.