Encomium
MORE than five jazz festivals held in 2013 alone, and Nigerian jazz acts were not found missing at such festivals (Bayelsa International Jazz Festival, Lagos International Jazz Festival, MUSON Jazz Festival and others). This is an indication that the era of good music is returning to the Nigerian entertainment scene. Most of Nigerian jazz artistes, who have spent years abroad now shuttle home and their base abroad thanks to Ayoola Shadare, Inspiro International boss who has been promoting these jazz artistes of Nigerian origin.
Recently, the 2013 Naijazz Festival came up at Freedom Park, Lagos Island, Lagos where we met some of the busiest Nigerian jazz artistes now.
‘I dumped engineering to follow my passion’ – LEKAN BABALOLA
LEKAN Babalola based in the UK is one of Nigeria’s jazz export to the world. His name resonates at concerts and shows in Germany, UK, Holland and America. The Afro Jazz master percussionist, who started his career in the Yoruba Christian church owned by his father, is proud to follow his passion which is music.
How did it all start for you?
I started as an apprentice under my father’s tutelage. He was an accordion player. I went to England in 1980 to further my studies. I went there to study Engineering and became an engineer but along the way, I left for Arts College and Film School. I became a professional musician in 1983 and since then I never looked back. I have earned my living and bought my house as a jazz artiste.
Why did you opt out of engineering school?
I just have a passion for arts not just music, anything creative. I don’t see myself doing engineering.
Whose music do you enjoy most?
I love all music around the world but I love John William Coltrane. He is my role model. His music still lives. Anytime I am depressed, I listen to Coltrane.
Would you say you are fulfilled for following your heart?
I am fulfilled for the fact that I could pass a message with my music to the audience. I am not fulfilled because I have not used that music to praise God enough.
Would you say you made money from playing jazz?
I have managed to survive, to feed my family. I have managed to live under a roof. I have managed to sustain a lifestyle that suits me.
Tell us about some of the awards you have won.
There are a lot, I can’t remember. Those awards encourage me to continue with what I do.
Whenever you play what energises you?
I think it’s the audience. The energy is from the audience really because they pay money to watch you, they believe in you and you are thanking them by doing your best so that they have a good time.
‘If not for jazz, I would have been a businessman’ – AGBOOLA SHADARE
AGBOOLA Shadare is Nigerian version of Earl Klugh and George Benson. The international jazz artiste has been playing at shows and concerts abroad where he is based and now he is back to Nigeria, his motherland, to replicate his international feat.
For how long have you been doing jazz?
Over 24 years now.
How did you find yourself playing jazz?
I learnt from a lot of legends like George Benson, Earl Klugh, a lot of them like that. Even Fela, King Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey, they all influenced my love for jazz.
Which are you good at, the drum or the sax?
I am a guitar player, recently I discovered I could also sing.
Whose other works do you listen to?
All kinds of music, you will be shocked to hear I listen to Apala music.
Do you play more outside the country?
I have been out of Nigeria for 12 years now, I just came back and you will be hearing more of me.
Most of Nigerian jazz artistes don’t stay here, is it that the music is more commercially viable out there?
We have challenges here in Nigeria but we thank God for people like Ayoola Shadare who is making us come back to our fatherland. You will see more of jazz in Nigeria now. In Ghana, they appreciate jazz music. If I were in Nigeria, I wouldn’t have done jazz maybe I would have become a businessman. The only songs you listen to in clubs back in the days was jazz, all of a sudden everything changed. Now they sing anything that comes to them.
‘Nature inspires my creativity’- BRIGHT GAIN SAGBAMAH
BRIGHT Gain is a bass player, jazz composer with hundreds of compositions to his credit. Bright caresses the guitar like a child touches the mother. “Jazz itself transforms,” he revealed.
What does jazz mean to you?
Anytime you listen to jazz, it is always new. It’s fresh, different ambience. The music itself transforms.
What are the challenges you face in this profession?
The same challenges everybody who works faces. For us, there is lack of support. We thank God for Ayo Shadare of Inspiro International. We at times experience lack of patronage. The Nigerian phenomenon electricity, economy, the jazz artiste is not isolated from the general society. When the economy is not good, you can’t expect somebody from Ajegunle to come and watch and listen to jazz.
What inspires your creativity?
Nature, everything about nature inspires me.
Why jazz and not something else?
I started from my early years in the church, because jazz is spiritual. I got to know a lot about the music. So, it’s something that has been in me right from my younger days.
Do you have an album?
Yes, this is my fifth album. The latest is entitled, In the Name of Jesus.
Which are you good at, the sax or the drum?
I am a bass player. I also play solo beat.
Whose songs do you enjoy listening to?
I like everybody that makes music.
Where are you from?
Isoko, Delta State.
‘I fell in love with guitar at young age’ – TOSIN ALAO
AN outstanding bass player, Tosin Alao is one of the very talented jazz artistes in Nigeria. Having many international shows to his credit, the married guitarist is ready to rule the world.
Briefly tell us about yourself.
I am Tosin Alao, a producer, composer, arranger and an artiste.
What is your interpretation of jazz music?
Jazz is spiritual. It is direct, pure and transparent. Jazz is love, it is everything.
How long have you been doing jazz?
31 years. As a kid, I fell in love with music being that my father was also an entertainer.
Tell us about some of the shows you have performed.
I have performed in the US, UK, Holland, Ivory Coast, Germany. We have performed at quite a long list of festivals and shows.
Why do you think jazz artistes are not in the limelight unlike those who sing hip-hop?
Music is spiritual. Jazz is not for everybody. Anything that is good is not for everybody. It’s for the matured minds. And except you are of the spiritual, you can’t understand what jazz is all about. It is only the mature that are spiritual. You can’t see a matured man break bottle, fight at parties. Whenever you enter a jazz arena you see decorum.
In recent times, Nigerian jazz artistes are beginning to be heard in shows across Nigeria?
Yes, thanks to Inspiro International who believes in us. He is promoting Nigerian jazz artistes to the world and he has been doing that for over 10 years. While other promoters bring in foreign jazz artistes and spend millions that could have been given to our own to perform, Inspiro is exporting Nigeria to the world. May God bless him, he is giving us a platform.
Tell us about your background.
I am from Ibadan, Oyo State. I grew listening to Tunji Oyelana, Jimi Sholanke, Rex Lawson, Bobby Benson. They were my early influences, Fela Kuti too, they played balanced music. I fell in love with the guitar in 1997 for the very first time.
‘Drumming brought me to limelight’ – DANIEL ISELE
DANIEL is one of Nigeria’s most talked about jazz artistes. He plays jazz, rock, Latin, funk and lots more. He shared his story.
For how long have you been playing jazz?
For about 18 years now. I am fortunate to have played in 16 international festivals as a drummer and bass guitarist.
What influenced you to do jazz?
I have been called to be a musician right from my early years. I came from a music family and I am passionate about it.
Which are you good at, drumming or guitar?
I play almost all instruments as a producer but I play more of the drums. As a drummer, I have achieved recognition and fame. I played at Bayelsa International Festival and it was awesome. The people appreciated my music.
Whose other songs do you listen to?
I listen to any kind of song. I can play any genre but jazz is my life.
