The three-day event was part of celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of Lagos at the festival themed ‘505050JAZZ Lagos@50’ special edition.
Before the main event of the festival at the Freedom Park, Lagos Island that kicked off on Friday, April 28, there were three Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) session events around the city of Lagos.
Exciting performances were from jazz and jazz-related artistes like master percussionist Samson Iroko, fellow of London School of music saxophonist Olumide Shobowale, soft rock and alternative music guitarist Nathmac, Piano Duke, master bassists duo D-Bass & Joshua Fashina (Agbar Joshu), Ajaga Master Ade Piper, Clintonic the violinist, Celeste, Wole Jesutomi and trumpeter Jesse Ibidun.
Day two of the festival fielded artistes like Afro Gospel Sensation Kenny Kore, Ace Saxophonist Dotun Dina, Afro-Highlife Trombonist Femi Slide, Nathan, Oluchi, Multiple Percussionist Aje Band & Saxophonist Justin Ige perform.
The third day and grand finale of the festival was well attended, lived up to its billing and wore well into the early hours of the morning with an array of acts which included the Organic Jazz Band, Bass Master Bright Gain featuring Jojo Body Beats, Afrocentric musician Elfreda, dynamic Afrobeat/Highlife Multi–Instrumentalist Seun Olota, KenBaze, Damilare Sax, Afro-Jazz/Highlife Guitarist Adeh and the delectable Moyeen. The audience were in ecstasy when the paramount King of Fuji Music Obesere mounted the stage about 11pm thrilling for over an hour. As his performance ended the Fuji superstar Malaika and his orchestra of native percussions and other musicians got onstage to close the festival.
His was a superlative performance and magnificent crowning of the three-day 505050JAZZ Lagos@50 Special edition of the festival. Also during the event and in a rare display of solidarity the LIJF founder Ayoola Sadare welcomed on stage the founder of Satchmo Jazz Dolapo Ajayi who had just organised an international jazz day event at Othello’s lounge in the city. PMAN national president Pretty Okafor also mounted the stage to give a brief goodwill message to the audience and organisers.
