During the International Jazz Day celebrated worldwide UNESCO will be bringing this year’s edition Satchmo’s Jazzfest to Lagos, Nigeria from April 30 to May 3.
Dolapo Ajayi, founder and festival director, made the announcement at Goethe-Institute Nigeria’s office in Lagos at a press briefing.
The briefing also featured a paper jointly presented by jazz historian, Emeka Keazor and Benson Idonije titled, ‘70 Years of Jazz in Nigeria’ with the intent to give an intellectual dimension to the Jazz Festival.
Nigeria will be joining the world to celebrate Jazz as a force for peace, cultural exchange, and cooperation.
One of the festival’s major participants, saxophonist Bobby Ricketts who flew into Lagos from the United States of America penultimate Wednesday was introduced during the press session as one of the current frontline players of the instrument on the scene, having been greatly influenced by Ben Webster and Dexter Gordon, two highly innovative veterans of the saxophone.
Other Jazz stars yet to arrive are: South African guitarist, singer, composer and multiple – award winner, Jonathan Butler; New York-based South African singing sensation, Somi – with international and local support line-up from Tunde Jegede and Nomadic Mystics; HKB FiNN Trio; Cleveland Watkiss; Trio Ivoire; Kasse Mady & ACM Ensemble with Nigerian support acts such as Yemi Sax and Kwitee & the Hot Seven on the bill.
Jazz-related films like ‘Blue Note’, ‘Last Song before the War’ and ‘Play Your Own Thing’ will be screened at the event. Awards will also be presented to Nigerians who have made outstanding contributions to jazz.
The fest will take place at several venues around Lagos including, Oceanview Marquee, Oriental Hotel, German Consulate-General, AERA GQ Queen’s Drive, Ikoyi.
