Lekan Babalola arrives for Muson Jazz Festival

UK-based Nigerian musician, Lekan Babalola, will headline the Muson Jazz Festival, which holds at the Onikan, Lagos arts venue on November 6. Touted as “one of the most extraordinary percussionists in world music and jazz,” Babalola was met by festival director Ayoola Sadare at Murtala Muhammed Airport earlier this week as he arrived the country for the concert. The Jazz component is one of the major highlights as the festival, which began on October 25, draws to a close. Intended to celebrate Nigeria’s Golden Jubilee, this year’s programme has so far paraded various events like; a youth concert, classical concert, a play and ‘My Kind of Music’ – in which society figures share their favourite musical compositions and playlists. Joining Babalola on the Jazz night’s playbill are the likes of Ayinke Martins (also based in the UK), Herbert Kunle Ajayi, Biodun and Batik, Imole Africa, Mike Osadolo, Pure and Simple and Olujazz. As for Lekan Babalola, he is an international musician who regularly forms part of Jazz star Cassandra Wilson’s band when she tours. He also played on her Grammy Award winning CD, ‘Loverly’, just as he appeared on the late Ali Farka Toure’s ‘In the Heart of the Moon’ – also a Grammy winning album. Babalola has collaborated with many international players like Branford Marsalis, Tony Allen, Roy Ayers, and the late Fela Kuti; he has also appeared as one of the African Jazz Allstars. Babalola’s music is heavily influenced by his rich Yoruba cultural background, having been born into a family who are custodians of tradition. Jazz fans can expect superlative performances of the Sax from Herbert Kunle Ajayi, traditional talking drums from Imole, Rhythm and Blues and African groove mixture from Mike Osadolo and others from the star parade. Ayinke Martins is an eclectic jazz performer. A protégée of Frances and Tunde Kuboye, Martins is known for blending the Yoruba and English vocal medium with Soul and African Jazz styles to produce a style that is solely unique to her. The Muson Jazz Night will kick off at the Shell Nigeria Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos by 7pm on Saturday, November 6.
Source:http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/ArtsandCulture/Music/5637834-147/story.csp