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It was about an hour to the commencement of the Smooth 98.1 FM ‘Love Music Love Life’ concert but the New Expo Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, the venue which has been partitioned into two, was already abuzz. Fun seekers who had come to unwind after a week’s work were standing in pairs and groups, talking and sipping complimentary drinks.

Jingles about the concert which had run on the radio station before the night continued in the background while people continued conversing. A voice later requested people to move into the cordoned off section of the hall, nearly an hour after the scheduled commencement time of 8pm.

Though it started late, it turned out to be an enjoyable evening of quality Jazz and Soul music from some of the world’s best. While there were pockets of empty seats inside the hall initially, they disappeared as the evening wore on. The main anchor and head of Smooth FM, Kirk Anthony, had to appeal to people at a point to give out seats they had reserved for their friends to those standing at the back and in the aisles.

Curious opening

Songwriter and vocalist, Tiwa Savage, opened the show. Curiously, she did by singing the two stanzas of the National Anthem. “It’s a pleasure to be here at the Love Music Love Life concert,” she said before doing ‘Middle Passage’ she wrote in New York some years ago to encourage Nigerian men in the city. ‘Collard Green & Cornbread’, a song she wrote for Fantasia, came next before the graduate of Berkeley College of Music did Alicia Keys’ ‘If I Ain’t Got You’. Savage, who sang without a band but with digital instruments, showed the audience why she is the toast of Mary J Blige, Chaka Khan, Kelly Clarkson, Blu Cantrell, Andreas Bocelli and others whom she has sung backing vocals for with her impressive voice. “I love your vocals, babe,” a man shouted as Savage exited the stage.

Bona and Stern

Offoh Mazi’no, one of the ‘Smooth Operators’ – as the station’s presenters referred to themselves on the night– introduced Cameroonian, Richard Bona. Bola Sonola (The Genie), Jennifer Netimah, Aderonke, Fisayo Olanrewaju, Sadiq Ademola and Mandy Brown Ojugbana carried out similar tasks before the concert ended.

Bawa ni?

“Bawa ni,” Bona’s attempt to say ‘Bawo ni’ (Yoruba for ‘how are you?) attracted laughter from the audience before he and five-time Grammy nominee, Mike Stern, a saxophonist and drummer, launched into a delightful performance that lasted almost an hour. What didn’t Bona and Stern do on their guitars? They appeared to be conversing with just themselves at a point while Bona had to sometimes curb Stern’s exuberance. The duo proved why they have had a successful collaboration over the years but they were not the only stars in the quartet. The saxophonist and drummer also did interesting solo pieces which the others later joined in to further excite the crowd. They were rewarded with a standing ovation at the end of their session.

Gerald Albright

If Jazz lovers thought they had seen it all, saxophonist, Gerald Albright, showed that there are different aspects to Jazz with his scintillating performance. The crowd that applauded him as he came on stage appeared to have had an inkling into what he had for them and Albright didn’t disappoint. The saxophonist described as the “musician’s musician” and accompanied by a drummer, guitarist and keyboardist, did songs from the 1980s into the present time. He did some love songs from ‘Highway 70′, his latest album and paid tribute to the late Luther Vandross by performing his ‘So Amazing’. Albright also did ‘Georgia on My Mind’. The difference between his and Bona’s performance was his ability to work the crowd. While Bona and Stern contented themselves with just performing, he expertly worked the crowd and got them on their feet, dancing.

Drummer, Iroko Samson and the dynamic duo of Pure and Simple, had earlier entertained the audience before Albright’s performance. Iroko, a former percussionist with Femi Kuti displayed amazing skills on drums while Pure and Simple continued their fine form from the MUSON Jazz Concert. The rhythm and electric bass guitarist did three numbers one of which sounded like Victor Uwaifo’s ‘Joromi’.

Angie Stone

The last Nigerian act, guitarist, Bez Idakula, accompanied by a violinist and vocalist performed before neo-soul singer and headliner of the concert, Angie Stone, closed the show. Bez did three songs, including one from ‘Super Sound’, his recently released album while his backing vocalist took the substantial part of one.

Stone and her 11-piece band took the audience back to the ‘Soul Train’ days as she urged them to move towards the stage. “It’s an honour to be here,” she told the crowd at the foot of the stage after her opening number. She did another she said was to appreciate the audience and continued dishing out tunes till around 2am of Saturday morning.