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UK-based Nigerian
musician, Lekan Babalola, will headline the Muson Jazz Festival, which
holds at the Onikan, Lagos arts venue on November 6.
Touted as “one of
the most extraordinary percussionists in world music and jazz,”
Babalola was met by festival director Ayoola Sadare at Murtala Muhammed
Airport earlier this week as he arrived the country for the concert.
The Jazz component
is one of the major highlights as the festival, which began on October
25, draws to a close. Intended to celebrate Nigeria’s Golden Jubilee,
this year’s programme has so far paraded various events like; a youth
concert, classical concert, a play and ‘My Kind of Music’ – in which
society figures share their favourite musical compositions and
playlists.
Joining Babalola on
the Jazz night’s playbill are the likes of Ayinke Martins (also based
in the UK), Herbert Kunle Ajayi, Biodun and Batik, Imole Africa, Mike
Osadolo, Pure and Simple and Olujazz.
As for Lekan
Babalola, he is an international musician who regularly forms part of
Jazz star Cassandra Wilson’s band when she tours. He also played on her
Grammy Award winning CD, ‘Loverly’, just as he appeared on the late Ali
Farka Toure’s ‘In the Heart of the Moon’ – also a Grammy winning album.
Babalola has collaborated with many international players like Branford
Marsalis, Tony Allen, Roy Ayers, and the late Fela Kuti; he has also
appeared as one of the African Jazz Allstars. Babalola’s music is
heavily influenced by his rich Yoruba cultural background, having been
born into a family who are custodians of tradition.
Jazz fans can
expect superlative performances of the Sax from Herbert Kunle Ajayi,
traditional talking drums from Imole, Rhythm and Blues and African
groove mixture from Mike Osadolo and others from the star parade.
Ayinke Martins is
an eclectic jazz performer. A protégée of Frances and Tunde Kuboye,
Martins is known for blending the Yoruba and English vocal medium with
Soul and African Jazz styles to produce a style that is solely unique
to her.
The Muson Jazz Night will kick off at the Shell Nigeria Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos by 7pm on Saturday, November 6.