My dad wanted me to become a professor —Beejay Sax

Abolaji Banjoko, popularly known as Beejay Sax is one of the saxophonists who have brought spice to Jazz genre of music. In this interview with SEYI SOKOYA, the mechanical engineer turned musician, speaks on why he dumped engineering for music and his assessment of the industry. Excerpts:

It is a New Year, could you us a hint on your plans, especially on your music career?

It is a great privilege to witness another year in peace. The outgone year was very hectic, but God helped me through. I appreciate God for the grace I have enjoyed as a musician and saxophonist. My career also experienced a great boost in 2017, full of God’s grace and favour. I am confident 2018 would be greater.  Honestly, I am prepared for the year, because I have given God my totality as a vessel. I don’t know how He will do it. I am optimistic that the year will be fruitful. Though I have my plans, God has His ways of doing things and I know He will guide and path my way to attain the best. Importantly, I want to use this opportunity to appreciate my fans and pray for them all that the all sufficient God will supply them with sufficient grace to journey through 2018.

What is the distinctive thing you have brought to the industry?

I play saxophone, and the style of music I do is different. My brand is unique and I could describe this as a divine gift. In fact, I cannot even predict what I am capable of doing while performing. It has never been dull moment as a saxophonist. I can engage people for many hours with sax alone without even saying a word during performance. Saxophonists are exceptional and unique, because we always lift peoples’ souls and connect human and God, especially in the presence of God through the vibes and tunes.

The genre of music seems to be lagging, because the numbers of saxophonists we have around are few compared to others in other genre of music.

We all have our anointing and a style that makes us unique and different in one way or the other. I respect people that have gone ahead of me, but of course the young generation artistes are doing things a little bit differently, as well as adding a lot of spice and jazz into the genre. It is a welcome development. The industry is developing greatly through us. It is a privilege that I am part of this development, which has also given me the platform to showcase my God-given talent.

Some people have expressed dissatisfaction with some artistes who are lazy and don’t come up with rich contents. What is your take on this?

It depends. Most times, I don’t like to generalise. There are different situations for different people; some young artistes are hardworking, while some are lazy, and it is a bit dicey. I can only speak for myself I am a workaholic and committed artiste. Most importantly, I put God first in everything I do. I also devote my time, energy and soul to advance my career and impact lives positively.

How would you describe your experience at the recently held The Experience 12, in Lagos?

To be honest, I was so excited to be among the gospel artistes who performed at the largest and biggest gospel concert in Africa, if not in the world. I am very happy and delighted that God used me to bless people. It was an awesome experience I cannot easily forget, because I also had the opportunity to share same stage with gospel music legends, especially the foreign artistes.

If you are not into music, what would you have become?

I studied Mechanical Engineering at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State (OOU), but I don’t think I will be doing engineering, even if I don’t sing. God just directed my path to this field.

How did you discover your passion for sax?

God told me that this is what I am destined to do. This is why I don’t see it as a passion but a divine call. I had to turn down good jobs offer when I graduated, because I was so sure that God had a greater plan for me. I have been playing sax for the past 10 years and I have never regretted playing this musical instrument.

Why did you take such risk?

When God gives a vision, He gives a provision. I was 100 per cent sure of my breakthrough with sax. At a point, I wasn’t even so serious about it, and felt like dropping it, but God keeps directing me back to music. I was so sure that this is what God wants me to do and I thank God for everything and what I have become today with the saxophone.

Going by the steady rise of your music career, you seem to have everything rosy for you?

Not really. I faced a lot of challenges pushing my career, especially when I was combining music and education. It was not easy. I failed a couple of times, but God is always there for me. There are times people would look down on you as a ‘bloody musician,’ but God has just been faithful to me.

What was your growing up like?

Growing up was interesting. My parents never wanted me to go into music when they discovered the trait in me. My dad wanted me to become a professor. In fact, he even named me after a friend who is a professor. Funny enough, I met him (Professor Bolaji) through music. At some point, I had to use proceeds from sax to see myself through school. It was not really easy, but I never relented until God gave me a breakthrough five years ago. The rest is history today.

What are the challenges you faced while carving a niche for yourself?

I have been through a lot of challenges, but I have refused to allow them overshadow me. I see them as a leverage to move ahead. We have many people that have gone ahead of us and it is sad that most of them didn’t create room for young people; they just want to be up there, but God has been able to stand us out.