JAZZY END TO LABAF
A jazzy and refreshing interlude was brought to bear on the serious intellectual conversations at the recent Lagos Book and Art Festival held at Freedom Park, Lagos. The party was to celebrate several literary and cultural icons namely Wole Soyinka, Ayo Banjo, Adegboyega Arulogun, El Anatsui, Olatunji Dare and Ben Tomoloju.
The Lagos Book and Art Festival (LABAF) is on its 16th edition and is organised by the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA) with this year’s edition in honour of Africa first Nobel Laureate in Literature Prof. Wole Soyinka
The event curated by Inspiro productions had three phenomenal NAIJAZZ musicians on parade whose performances excited the audience for about three hours with classical and contemporary Jazz, Highlife and pop tunes.
It started with guitar sensation Adeh who was making his second appearance at the festival and he didn’t disappoint with his contemporary remake of evergreen Juju, highlife and popular classics from living legends like Ebenezer Obey, Dr. Victor Olaiya and Sir. Victor Uwaifo. His fusion of this and Naija Hiphop sounds got the crowd on their feet dancing away.
The tempo changed as touring Holland-based Nigerian International Acoustic Jazz guitarist Adedeji Adetayo, who was in the country to launch his latest album, made a cameo appearance and played two tracks ‘Binanjo’ and ‘Erin Lakatabu’ from the aforementioned album titled ‘Ajo’.
Victor Ademofe the multiinstrumentalist and composer closed the show. He played tracks from his debut album ‘Jehovah’ and some of his yetto-be released Jazz and highlife pieces. The ambidextrous musician was in his usual energetic element moving from his trumpet to percussions with ease and also conducting his 8-piece band, which included a three-piece pure brass section.