Nigeria’s most recognized and celebrated Jazz
artiste, Mike Aremu who has performed
alongside top jazz artistes across the world is set
to take the centre stage of the music world with
his ‘Sax Appeal’ concert holding on Sunday.
Speaking about his concert (the fourth edition),
the renowned saxophonist took the time out to
speak about music and bemoan the inability of
most musicians of today to play musical
instruments. Hear him:
BY IYABO AINA
What are you working on presently?
I am presently planning the fourth edition of my
musical concert “Sax Appeal” which is slated for
November 23rd, 2014. It’s going to feature
artistes like Mexican saxophonist Jessy J, Yinka
Davis, Kunle Ayo and Timi Dakolo and it will be
held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
Why Abuja?
We’ve always wanted to do the concert in all
parts of the country. Why we decided to choose
Abuja is because Abuja residents hardly have
live shows brought to them like the Lagos
residents. In Lagos, shows are always happening
all over the place. Though I started the concert
in 2009 and the response and turn-out has been
huge, but this time around we are looking to
explore Abuja and have Abuja residents feel us.
Why Timi Dakolo among other Nigerian popular
artistes?
In ‘Sax Appeal’ concert, we try our best to look
for people who are really talented, people who
are true musicians, not mere singers. I also
looked at the fact that Timi has done a song for
the nation and because we are taking the
concert to the capital city, we felt he should
have a place in it.
Going by the turn-out of people in Lagos, how
sure are you about getting the same response in
Abuja?
I have a good feeling about the Abuja people
but you should note it is not permanent. I just
believe that people who have been hearing this
kind of music in Abuja would love to watch the
artistes performing it live on stage. Jazz is not
what they get to watch regularly and I promise
to give the best by bringing one of the best
female saxophonists, Mexican Jessy J, Yinka
Davis, Timi Dakolo and Kunle Ayo on to the
stage.
When you just started you were more of a gospel
musician, but now you have deviated to jazz
music, why?
If you look at the industry, you will notice that
music itself is revolving, but that hasn’t changed
anything about my personality. And it hasn’t
changed who I am as a Christian.
If you listen to my music you will notice that
there are three major factors you can’t take away
from my song, which are; God factor, jazz factor
and African factor. These three things show that
my music is for everyone. What matters most is
the melody and not religion.
About your last album “Coat of many colors” how
is it doing in the market?
It’s doing well. I even had six nominations from
the album in a gospel award and I titled that
album ‘Coat of Many Colors’ because it has
different genres of music and different artistes in
it.
Why is jazz not accepted like other genres of
music in Nigeria?
It’s because Jazz is a kind of music that selects
its own audience. But personally, I am trying my
possible best to make it more acceptable by
organising jazz shows that can bring people
closer to jazz musicians. I believe jazz is a
choice music people can relate with in several
spheres.
Has there been a time you felt like totally
abandoning jazz or gospel music for secular one?
I have been invited to different kinds of
functions that have no connection with
Christianity. Christianity is just a way of life but
we tend to define everything by religion here
and it is one of our problems in Nigeria today.
They don’t look out for what people can deliver.
Like I said earlier, three factors; God factor,
African factor and jazz factor define my music
and my life. Whether I do secular music or
gospel music, you are still going to find all these
factors in my music.
What’s your view about musical artistes not
being able to play music instruments?
I personally don’t believe everybody should play
an instrument, but whatever you do just do it
well. In Nigeria, there is no music in our
curriculum unlike abroad where you have to
learn some kinds of instrument before you can
become a musician.
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