Lagos Jazz Series debuts

When Oti Bazunu, the brain behind the Lagos Jazz Series, said the initiative was to have jazz floating in the air, and calm the tension in the city a little, he wasn’t joking.

Since Friday, jazz has been in the air in some parts of Lagos, calming people’s minds and souls after the usual hustle and bustle associated with the mega city.

The fun continues in the next two days as renowned jazz artistes from the United States, Europe and Africa will deliver exciting performances for select music lovers.

Bazunu says, “We’re inviting some of our favourite jazz musicians from all over the world to come and play for us in intimate and exciting venues.

“The Lagos State Government has kindly offered us the beautiful Muri Okunola Park. Our friends at the Sofitel Moorehouse are hosting the musicians and the opening event.

“The Federal Palace Hotel has opened it’s lush waterside grounds to us and the German Consulate is hosting a jazz breakfast. Noble Hill is providing great wines and Lufthansa is flying in the artistes. The show is coming together and it’s going to be wonderful.”

According to Bazunu, the series will bring jazz to the centre stage in Lagos and Nigeria, creating an event with a focus and liesure, as mature as the music it celebrates.

“Where Nigerian jazz connoisseurs have had to travel to Paris, London and New York to enjoy live jazz performances, this jazz series gives them an opportunity to enjoy same music and lifestyle here in Lagos. This is because it will feature top notch performances,” Bazunu says.

Some of the jazz artistes that will blow people’s minds during the series are American pianist, composer and band leader, Randy Weston, Morrie Louden, a California native, Simone, daughter of legendary icon Nina Simone, and Somi.

There are also Mike Aremu, one of Nigeria’s best-known saxophonists, and Ayetoro, an internationally-acclaimed 12-piece band led by one of Nigeria’s most-talented composers and pianists; Funsho Ogundipe will also be in the pack as well as South Africa’s Jimmy Dludlu.

The Lagos Jazz Series is sponsored by MTN Enterprise, Constant Capital and Petrolex. Other partners are Noble Hill Wines, Mercedes Benz, Bang&Olufsen, ZK Advertising, Classic FM, NEXT and Bella Naija.

Source:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011063203229