US-based Nigerian jazz sensation returns to his roots

After years of musical sojourn to the United States of America, where he played alongside heavyweight in Jazz music from all the world, OluJazz has returned to Nigeria to champion a jazz revolution.

On Sunday, August 26, the multitalented artists will be holding his major music concert in Nigeria, which will double as the launch of his two albums. The event, which will take place at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, will feature star acts like Wole Oni, Tim Godfrey, Ranti, Lawrence and the Covenant, Onos Ariki, and IBK.

The artiste started playing trumpet from the 1990s. Besides trumpets, he plays drums, clarinet, flutes and other instruments. He recalled: “I started playing the saxophone in 2003. I had already understood from childhood that I was going to be a saxophonist. But there was no saxophone around then.  Those in music shops were very expensive, and I could not afford it.

“Gracefully to me, I was able to meet people who assisted me. I went to Peter King School of Music in Badagry, Lagos, where I learnt how to play the saxophone. From there, I took it upon myself to practice three hours every day for about six years.

“Eventually, I had to travel to the United States of America, where I studied more about saxophone. I spent two years in the States. I just came back for the massive concert I’m promoting in Lagos.”

Almost all the elite musicians in Nigeria have endorsed my move to revolutionise jazz in the country. He admitted, “I’m like a son to most of the big names in the music industry.

“Legends like King Sunny Ade, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, Professor (Sir) Victor Uwaifo, Tiwa Savage, Timi Dakolo, Tim Godfrey, Sammie Okposo, among others, know me. In fact, Sir Uwaifo is like my godfather, because, when I recorded ‘Jeromi,’ he actually took me like his biological son.”

Also known as OluJazz D’ Talkative, the name got stuck like a limpet courtesy of  the ace comedian, Kofi, who noticed the way he was playing the saxophone on stage, and said he talked too much on the Sax.

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Two albums from the artist will be revealed during the show, but from the preview of the two albums, one promises to be out of the box. Olujazz wants to use the works to make a big statement that jazz is actually acceptable by everyone from every nook and cranny of the world.

“The show is Olu Jazz’s, but every other artiste from the urban category would feature with OluJazz. I’ll also be collaborating with other musicians.”

The Kogi-born musician is widely travelled. He has played at the Santiago Jazz Festival in Chile and California, in the US.

He said, “I played in 2017, but, because of the concert I am organising, I can’t play this year.

“I’ve travelled on musical tours to countries like France, Germany, Ethiopia, Asia, America, Canada, Brazil and Puerto Rico for Jazz music performances,” he added.

Among the major acts he has performed with include legends like Gerald Albright, Richard Bona, Kenny G, Hugh Masekela, Omawumi, and Tiwa Savage, at various occasions.

What’s his assessment of the Nigerian music industry? He gave a thumb up, “I can say that Nigerian artistes are doing well.

“The industry is growing tremendously and the musicians are improving vastly.

“The whole world still bows to Nigerian music. The list of those who are doing good music has increased in the country. No one can push any Nigerian musician away. They are superstars in their own rights.

“Even the Jazz and saxophone world of music is also growing. We have a couple of saxophonists who are doing well in Nigeria. Fortunately, I was able to travel to America to study and dig deep into Nigerian jazz music, and to perfect my craft.

“Now, I can say by God’s grace that I can stand anywhere in the world and perform without goose pimples.”

How about our lyrics? He said, “I’m a moralist. I don’t play music that are out of the norms. I play music that are well curtailed. I’m a gospel musician and minister of God. Without God, I cannot get to where I’m. I started from the church, hence I didn’t go away from the church, and I will remain in the church. But that does not mean I cannot play outside the church.

“Souls are not won in the church alone. We have to go into the hood and win souls. Some people have criticised gospel artistes who feature secular ones in their songs. To me, I don’t think there is anything wrong so long the artist is pure in heart. The combination between both can actually influence other people to turn to God. We should not be too religious about it.”

Coming from Africa, one unique thing about his art is that he has succeeded in embedding the African pattern in his jazz, winning hearts of music lovers each time he performs outside the country.

He explained that, “Africa has a different culture, and the languages were actually taken from Africa to America by the slaves. If you listen to highlife music, it is the same thing as jazz, except the different variations. It is the same root.