OCTOGENARIAN musician, producer and trade unionist, Chris Ajilo has advised aspiring musicians to focus on making good music and improving their art rather than on making money.
He explained that improving their musicianship and mentoring others was the most important thing and not boasting about their wealth while they remain empty musicians.
The elderly artiste, who will clock 89 on December 26, said this in a recent interview in his home, in Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State.
Recalling his musical beginnings, Ajilo disclosed that he was never interested in making money but in producing good music and teaching others to increase music literacy in Nigeria.
He disclosed that he trained in London to learn everything about music and avoid being a mediocre musicians who had nothing to give the public.
Pa Ajilo said, “I went to London to learn music at the Central School of Dance Music, West Street, London. There, I started to know what’s music and it was a pleasant time; to meet many people that were very friendly to me. From there, I started playing various instruments; the flute, the clarinet and the saxophone. I had excellent music teachers. From there, I graduated into the music scene; played with multiple bands and it was later in 1955 that I decided to come back home.
“I looked at myself as always a learner, and my teachers were my friends. They taught me many things as far as music was concerned- composition, arranging and all sorts. I met many people; those who were much older than myself, including my teachers who were always my friends, like Johnny Duckworth; they were all very interested in my musical occupation and discussed with me a lot of things before I ever decided to return home.
“And since I got back home, I’ve been in the music business. I started my band, Chris Ajilo and his Cubanos. You may ask me why Chris Ajilo and his Cubanos? It was because Kenny Graham, who was my early band leader, was playing the Cubanos. He was a friend and a good band leader. I learnt a lot from those musicians because I’m always ready to learn; always eager.
“Through all these, I became a better arranger, composer and they all helped me to be what I wanted to be. When I got back home, I was travelling with my band and recording, teaching and from there I went into music production. I met many younger ones who were also very friendly to me. From there, I went into the music business; production of recordings and one of my early creations were done with Polygram Records. I was doing all these because I’m interested in music and later I worked with Polygram Records as a Staff Producer which in those days was very unusual; to have a Staff Producer in a recording company.
“I was doing all these not for my daily bread, but because I’m interested in music generally. Later I started teaching those who are interested in music and musical instruments. They know me as Music Teacher because I never looked at myself only as a musician but as a teacher of music. These days, you find some younger artistes who call themselves rich men, millionaires but my interest is producing good musicians and good productions. They all come to learn how to play musical instruments or record under Polygram Records. I’ve never been so much interested in how much I made, but my interest is making good musicians and interesting productions.”
The octogenarian and a former administrator of the country’s first musical collective society, PMRS, disclosed that he’s looking forward to his 89th birthday, especially in light of surviving a domestic accident two years ago.
“I thank God that I’m alive. I slipped on the soapy tile floor of my bathroom and injured my head. I then became a toddler; you can call me a toddler, but I thank God. Some people have gone through the same experience and gave up the ghost, but Jesus kept me alive. My birthday is on the 26th of December, which is Boxing Day. Though I’m not a boxer, I always look forward to the day,” he said.
and then