Lagos Jazz Series: Fans defy rain to soak up the fun
The idea, according to founder Oti Bazunu, was to treat Lagosians to a series of exciting live and outdoor Jazz performances – in the garden, at the park, and on the waterfront. Picture it: thousands of fans mostly from corporate Nigeria, media, academia and showbiz, wining and dining in the open, surrounded by lush gardens, […]
The idea, according to founder Oti Bazunu, was to treat Lagosians to a series of exciting live and outdoor Jazz performances – in the garden, at the park, and on the waterfront. Picture it: thousands of fans mostly from corporate Nigeria, media, academia and showbiz, wining and dining in the open, surrounded by lush gardens, changing skyline, and sound waves from the Atlantic Ocean; while taking in notes and tones from band after band.
The series opened on Friday November 5, at The Sofitel Morehouse in Ikoyi, Lagos, with Karen Patterson, Somi, Chinaza and Morrie Louden taking turns to thrill guests – most of whom defied the Friday evening rain to be at the venue. Top bank executives, publishers, artistes, and tycoons all spent the evening savouring the different elements of the music. Jazz acts do not speak much, while performing.
They let the music do the talking. And, at the Sofitel last Friday, the music spoke for hours, as guests leaned forward and listened; careful not to miss a word. The musicians plucked and played; with guitars strumming, horns going high and low, while drums, the piano, cello and other instruments worked together to create the soundtrack of a night many will not forget in a hurry. It was cold and wet and crazy when they got in; but by the time the night was done, departing guests were filled with warmth and satisfaction.
Just like Friday, tickets to the Saturday event were sold out before the show started. Next up was Morrie Louden. The 50 year-old plays a Pietro Rogeri upright bass circa, Fodera five and six string basses, a Pedulla five string bass, a 1961 all original Fender Jazz Stack Pod bass, and a 1964 Fender jazz fretless bass. And he brought all these and more to Lagos! The star of the New York Jazz scene took over Lagos the rest of the night, together with his band, cleverly using horns and strings to serve a sound that made many marvel. Louden later told journalists he ‘loves Lagos’. ‘The scenery, the people, the vibe…’
Jimmy Dludlu would love Lagos more than Morrie Louden. One, he’s been here before. And he’s said he’d love to return again and again. And with fans dishing out thumbs up with every string he plucks, the award-winning South African guitarist got more love than he bargained for during the last leg of the series on Sunday November 7. Dludlu, who replaced Femi Kuti on the bill, joined Ayetoro, Bez and others to deliver an unprecedented open-air concert at the Muri Okunola Park in Lagos.
Some sat on mats while others sat on the bare grass enjoying barbeque and canapés. Couples, families, friends and colleagues created their own little corners in the garden, as the evening took off and the organisers transformed the park into a haven for Jazz lovers. ‘We hope the success of Lagos Jazz Series at Muri Okunola Park paints a different picture on security in Africa’s most populous city’ founder Oti Bazunu says. ‘We keep complaining that there are not enough concert venues in Lagos’, says Beat FM OAP Gbemi; ‘But I think the organisers of Lagos Jazz Series have just shown us that we need to be more creative with how we choose our venues’.
Interestingly, as beautiful and remarkable as the music was, on all three days, there was a complete absence of show-off, razzmatazz or ‘star issues’. Talents arrived on time for rehearsals; headliners entered the crowd and mixed with guests after their performances. ‘Jazz is a serious art; it’s about the music, not the players. All they want to do is deliver good music, not show the world they are super or mega stars’ one of the organisers said.