Nigeria: Inspiro Jazz Renaissance....

Gbenga Bada
3 January 2009
Lagos — After the weeklong event of jazz activities in Nigeria, there are indications in entertainment circles that the jazz genre of music is set to compete favourably in the Nigerian music industry. Organised by the jazz oriented company, Inspiro Productions under the tutelage of Ayo Sadare, the event, according to jazz music lovers, is one of its kind in the Nigeria music scene.

"Though attendance and sponsorship levels quite didn't compare to the Lagos International Jazz Festival held earlier in April 2008, we had more in terms of content and more service providers and individuals supported to make the year-end NAIJAZZ festival happen." enthused Ayoola Sadare (CEO, Inspiro Productions-organisers of both the NAIJAZZ and Lagos International Jazz festivals. "They were both in line with our set goals for 2008 to support this genre of music and initiate events that have a tourism focus for the host city and country at large as is done elsewhere."

NAIJAZZ was conceptualised with content packed with an offering for every jazz lover.

The event started with the NAIJART art and photo exhibition, which began with over 300 works displayed from the Artzero group, Mufu Onifade's - Araism Movement, Victor Politis, Lemi Ghariokwu and Independently Trained Artistes (ITA) all over the facility STUDIO 868 which got the look of a gallery. The NAIJART ushered in the dance and drama performances by the Crown Troupe of Africa, Ijodee and Nerfertiti. The one hour presentation from this collective threw the audience off balance as they asked for more.

The third day of the NAIJAZZ symposium, had facilitators like Benson Idonije, Tam Fiofori, Steve Ayorinde and Kunle Tejuoso, who did justice to the symposium theme, "Taking Jazz Back to it's African Roots." This saw the facilitators presenting to a group of both young and established musicians, promoters and stakeholders answers to their numerous questions and observations. The resolution from the symposium was to find concrete ways to support this art form and a charge to the musicians to be more resourceful and original in delivering a distinct Nigerian jazz sound.

Another interesting part of the event was the variety night that followed the next day. Though the much expected punch was not too prominent but there were several revelations like the Dubai-based jazz singer, Mfon Umana and a novel act, Segun Magic Nose, who played the flute through his nose. Members of the Salsa Dance Club also added spice to the night with their choreographed salsa dance routines.

What many have however tagged the climax of the weeklong fiesta were the two days (Saturday and Sunday) of live performance. The sound and stage provided ground for acts like Yinka Davies who featured with Ini d Minstrel; Mike Aremu, who collaborated with both Biodun Batik and South African-based Kunle Ayo at different times. Sir T collaborated with Ayodele from South Africa, Beatiful Nubia and his roots renaissance band, Fadabasi and Oriri who soloed, lead and bass guitarists duo, Pure and Simple, Ame and the Agogo band all performed. El-jazz, a jazz/blues guitarist, who recently launched his double album, got the crowd asking for more as other acts like Daniel Bankole of the big band highlife; ace guitarist Mike Osadolo; The Like Minds Trio, Dotun Bankole and diminutive but dynamite CON.tra.diction all jazzed up the event with their bands. NAIJAZZ 2008 ran from December 14 to 21 at Studio 868, Victoria Island, Lagos.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200901050556.html