World-renowned saxophonist; Kenny G staged an unforgettable performance last Sunday at the third edition of Sax Appeal. The Grammy award winner co-headlined the concert with host Mike Aremu. Sax Appeal is the annual jazz series created by Nigerian born international jazz performer; Mike Aremu.
The event which attracted society big wigs and top corporate executives started with the host Tee A welcoming guests to the classy event at 8:45pm. Mike Aremu soon warmed up the crowd of about 5000 with a performance that began at exactly 9:00pm. Mike delivered a session of African jazz compositions backed up by four soulful vocalists and a playing 12 man-band.
At first Mike Aremu reeled out a series of slow jazz tunes before later progressing into a session of rhythmic ballads that got the crowd up their feet dancing away. Closing his performance Mike Aremu expressed appreciation and gratitude to the audience. In his words, “Thank you so much to everyone here tonight, I’m happy to see you all and I appreciate everyone who has supported us since day one. Though we have come this far without any sponsorship or corporate support
still we are committed to the spirit of the art’’. In return the ecstatic crowd showered him with applause and blessed him with a standing ovation.
When the light came back up at 9:30pm, it was the turn of female singer Waje. Clad in an alluring brown gown, the yet-to-debut singer surprised concert-goers at the Expo hall of Eko Hotels and Suites when she stepped on stage and belted out renditions of several high pitched songs to the delight of all present and was able to earn a reputation as a compelling, captivating, vocalist and entertainer.
UK’s multiple MOBO award winner Yolanda Brown got her turn in the spotlight when she began the third set with her arrangement perfectly capturing Fela’s Afrobeat and Asa’s soulful cuts; creating a melody and wonderful jazz mood that left many in the audience spell-bound.
The celebrated female instrumentalist who is married to a Nigerian, later went on to express her love for Nigeria when she said “I love Nigeria and it feels good to be back here’’, at that point she bowed to signal the end of her performance at 10:11pm. But not before announcing that it was her wedding anniversary.
The high-point of the night was when the crowd went wild at the introduction of Kenny G.
The American jazz artiste did not conceal his excitement when he arrived on stage at 11:15pm with his 12-man band and immediately took to his saxophone to confirm his billing as a naturally gifted and veteran performer. After an astounding first round performance, the phenomenal instrumentalist took a couple of solos during the evening, showing power and agility hitting notes and blowing the sax non-stop, for nearly half an hour. He took guests through a marvelously
elongated solo, without ever breaking a sweat.
Kenny G’s finesse on his shinning gold saxophone was unquestionable, as was how solid and tight his band was. His closing performance on Sunday evening did much to confirm him as one of the greatest saxophonists of all time.
And, excited about the audience’s appreciation, he soon broke out in Yoruba, taking his time to say “E se mo dupe, e se gan, Yoruba mi o da, but ma try”. He went ahead to give out his golden saxophone to Mr Elisha who was picked from a raffle draw contest.
South Africa’s Judith Sephuma got on stage at 11:30pm to deliver a series of vocal renditions in her native language with a soulful voice that confirmed her as one of the leading jazz vocalists in the world. Mid – way into her performance Judith Sephuma was joined on stage by Mike Aremu for a jazz duet. Later heralded phenomenal guitarist Kunle Ayo on stage to end her performance for the night and the Nigerian master of the guitar dished out a superlative performance to draw the curtains on the show at 1am.
No comments:
Post a Comment