Lagos International Jazz Festival 2016 Kicks Off

This year’s Lagos International Jazz festival 2016 organised by Inspiro productions which coincides with the traditional April Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) and 30 April International Jazz Day celebration kicked off with a series of JAM sessions tagged ‘Road to Lagos International Jazz festival 2016’ held at venues across the city of Lagos. The events were to highlight the importance of Jazz and its extraordinary heritage throughout April and also to publicize the festival happening between the 29th of April and 1st of May 2016. Jazz Roundtable Specials on Metro 97.7FM were also held every Sunday in April to support same.  

The JAM sessions kicked off on April 1 at Hotel 1960 - Prince of Anthony - Culture Café, Anthony Village Lagos, it was followed on Friday 8 April at The Pop Up Jazz Lounge Lekki I, Lagos and then the Ayo Bankole Centre for Arts Surulere, Lagos on Saturday 15 April. The highlights of the event were performances by leading Jazz performers and attendance by enthusiasts and lovers of the genre. Present to perform at the events were Director of SPAN Academy of Jazz and Contemporary music and foremost Jazz Musician Bright Gain, Europe based NAIJAZZ guitarist Adedeji Adetayo, classical pianist Ubong Utiah (UB4TY), Sam and the Jazz Apostles featuring Dera, the group Wired, Jazz vocalist Dapo Fasuyi, konkovibrations proponent Niyi Ige, rising Jazz saxophonist Peter Adedeji, trado-soul and jazz singer Empress and a host of others.

Various personalities attended the events and these included top promoter Wale Oluwaleimu, Emmanuel Odole of Blackdrum.TV, Yinka Oni former chairman National Bank, Demola Ogunfolu, Kunle Ogunneye - Country director - Mall of Africa, Sean B, Chairman of the Hotel 1960 group Akin Adeoya and his lovely wife, Mr. Yemi Akinbode, Jazz Pioneer in Nigeria Tunde Kuboye of the Jazz 38 and extended family fame, Muyiwa Majekodunmi of the Jazzville fame, Austin Of Luzol and a host of others. The last JAM session for April is slated for Saturday April 23 at the Shuga Lounge, Hotel 1960 Eagles Park, Ikeja, Lagos.

April is designated annually as Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) Jazz Appreciation Month and its climaxes into the International Jazz Day on April 30 recognized by the UN and UNESCO. The Lagos State government led by His Excellency Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is marking the International Jazz Day 2016 this year at the Lagos state house, Alausa.

The Lagos International Jazz Festival is Nigeria’s Premier Jazz Festival happening over 3 days in the Lagos Megacity. The event has a standard edition happening at the Freedom Park from the 29th to 30th of April and a Luxury edition happening at The Bay Lounge Waterfront Lekki On May 1 both events start at 6pm. The lineup of acts for the event include Mike Aremu, Sharp Band, Orliam, Herbert Kunle Ajayi, Skata Vibrations, Seun Olota, Adeh, Akeem Lasisi and a host of others.

Ayoola Shadare

Festival Director,

Lagos International Jazz Festival.