‘I fell in love with the saxophone the first day I set my eyes on it’

Who is LaykaySax and why the name?

My name is Obasan Leke, a graduate of Animal Production and Health, a proper ceremonial performer and luxury event entertainer. I picked the name whilst trying to keep my first name itself, i just switched spellings, people added the sax.

Why the saxophone of all musical instruments?

Interestingly I play an array of musical instruments; I play the keyboard, bass guitar, lead guitar and the proper flute, but the day I saw the saxophone, it fell in love with me and I, in turn, did the same, it was hard to see other instruments whilst i was with the saxophone.

Have there been challenges getting relevance and staying relevant?

I will say yes, but they are standard challenges that any business, irrespective of the industry, has to go through. All these, whatever the form, give the me grit that allows me get tougher.

How has the evolution of social media been of advantage or disadvantage to what you do?

Truth is social media has been more than a blessing to someone like me;  when I started, social media accounted for 90 per cent of my clients who were first time clients, before we moved to the era of referrals. Most times I was meeting my clients for the very first time on the days of their event.

Did you ever have trust issues with some people who solicited your services online?

Maybe just a few, but I tried to ensure that my page was convincing enough. I have done several high profile events and they all started from social media, then when people see the kind of events you have done and for how long you have been doing it, they tend to feel relaxed. Then, people always ask other people about the quality of service and this helps too once you do a good job.

What kind of music do you do exactly?

I do all kinds of music, I am a business man and musician, I specialise in oldies, blues and contemporary jazz but also, because money can be complete, I created something called the BandBespoke, where I bring together, different singers who are great at different genres of music and we come to give you a blast at your event.   So once again, I do everything.

What is your strong work related ethic?

Show up on time!!

What is your average staff strength?

For every time  we work, about 13 to 15 people, depending on the size of the event. Sometimes, we get ad hoc staff.

How has your course of study at the university that affected what you currently do?

This is a little funny. I studied Animal Production and Health and it did not influence what I currently do, but going to the university did. It affected the quality of relationships I had and reinforced my thought pattern in a more enlightened direction.

Any words for anyone looking at a career path close to yours?

I’ll say it takes a little time, but do it right always, never forget that it is all about perspective aside the content you have.