SAX APPEAL: WHO WINS THE BATTLE OF THE SAX THIS YEAR?

Mike Aremu and Yolanda brown performing Last year @Sax Appeal

As Top saxophonists and jazz performers from across Europe, North
America, and Africa prepares to hit Lagos for the third edition of
Mike Aremu’s Sax Appeal, the lingering question on the mind of the
anticipating Lagos crowd is: who among the several acts billed for the
night will win the battle of the sax on the big night.
Already Tagged ‘‘concert of the year’’ with a long list of top
performers billed for the show including Grammy award winning
phenomenal jazz artist Kenny G, MOBO award winner Yolanda Brown from
the UK, South African eclectic performer Judith Sephuma, Nigeria’s
Kunle Ayo, talented singer Waje, and widely travelled saxophonist Mike
Aremu. And also, a surprise international act to be announced at the
concert.
Mike Aremu who himself is a well known performer, band leader and
crowd puller, created sax appeal in 2009 as a series of live shows to
promote the culture of live musical performances in Nigeria and since
inception it has been a story of mission being accomplished -
featuring the biggest names in Jazz music and amazing saxophonists
year after year.
Sax appeal has thrown up unforgettable moments in concert experiences
in Nigeria. The numerous awe inspiring and spell binding performances
will forever be remembered and come July 3, from across the princely
seats of the Expo hall of the Eko hotels and suites, the ever thirsty
Lagos crowd will be starring at the stage with the hunger for more of
what it has witnessed in 2009 and 2010.
One of the high points of the event last year was how Mike Aremu and
his friends thrilled guests with sax call-and-response sessions,
pantomime, theatric duets and acapella. They went all the way blowing
the saxophone non-stop in delightful manners all through the night,
convincing everyone it’s what they do best. And guests could not
resist standing up and dancing away.
This year’s co-headliner Kenny G is a phenomenally successful
instrumentalist who has attracted fans and wowed audiences around the
world. Judith Sephuma is the minstrel that thrilled and enchanted
guests with her attractive sound at last year’s event. Yolanda brownis a top performer who continues to recruit fans from all over Europe.
Kunle Ayo has the pedigree of being a fantastic master of the guitar.
And of course Mike Aremu is a distinguished performer with a proven
dexterity on the saxophone. Who among these sax heavyweights will win
the battle of the sax on the big night?


mike aremu and judith sephuma

Predicting who among these fine musicians will stage the best
performance on the day might prove tricky but one thing guaranteed is,
it will go down as one of the biggest nights in music. Kunle Ayo has performed in all three editions of the event, Yolanda
Brown and Judith Sephuma appeared at the concert last year. Singer
Waje will appear this year as a first timer. Kenny G will be coming to
Nigeria for the first time and to Lagos where he has a large fan base.
Kenny G is a smooth jazz saxophonist who majorly plays the soprano
saxophone and also the alto and tenor on occasion. He appeared on
several of his album covers holding the soprano saxophone which is the
third smallest member of the saxophone family. Mike Aremu is well
known as a master of the bass saxophone just like Judith Sephuma too.
Yolanda Brown is very artful with her trademark bass saxophone.
Mike Aremu’s vision band is interestingly made up of corporate
professionals and academics with whom he has performed across Europe
and Nigeria.
Several names and performers like Tosin martins, Bez, and Cobhams have
performed at past editions of sax appeal including Yinka Davies and
rapper MI who staged an amazing live performance of rap music backed
by a full band of instrumentalists.