The beauty of live music performance with a unique approach just got its shine at the recently held Wole Oni’s Debut concert tagged Audacious, Bold and Crispy. It was an evening of the best of MUSICAL performances from top Nigerian artiste in Jazz and soul. Boasting of headline artistes like Yinka Davids, Praiz, J’odie, Gloria Ibru (MAMA Gee), Tosin Martins, etc.
The show which kicked off with a red carpet cocktail saw the high and mighty, doyen of Industries, Government officials, Member of the diplomatic corps, Celebrities and vast array of Jazz lovers coming together to experience music like never before. One of Nigerians Top actor and Compere of Project Fame Mr joseph Benjamin anchored the show alongside Lisa Omorodion, a budding actress herself. The audiences were treated to a series of spell bound artiste performances, beginning with Mr Wole Oni himself playing the Nigerian National anthem like never expressed by any know pianist yet.
Highlights of the event couldn’t have been completed without making mention of the speech by Mr Majekodunmi, MD/CEO of Jazzville, the Mecca for Jazz Artistes and Musicians at Onike/Akoka, Lagos. Mr Majekodunmi, fondly known as Mr Majek , spareheaded the drive for the sustenance of jazz music in Nigeria and also gave Mr Wole Oni the opportunity to kick start his career as a musician professionally in Lagos.
The show was clouded by sterlin moments for various individuals who had some unique experiential moments. Mr Uche Nnaji, the MD of Ouch, had his debut performance on an entertainment platform not as a fashion designer, but as a vocal artist. Sammie Okposo a gospel sensational artiste equally had a reunion time out with `his beloved Daughter as they both made up in a duet performance on stage to mention but few.
Everyone had a blast from the ambiance of the 5-star hotel treat at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, to the thrill and hilarious performance from the comedian Seyi law, to the serenading vocals of superstar artistes Praiz, J’odie and Amaka Oforbuike; the heavy percussive interlude by Iroko, instrumentals by Ayo Awe, Victor Ademofe etc. indeed the Wole Oni ABC Concert is an event that will stay for a long time in the memories of everyone that attended.
When spoken to, Mr Wole Oni reiterated that the reason for him doing this concert is to introduce a more unique approach and interpretation to our Nigerian music and also to raise the bar of live musical performances in Nigeria especially a genre like Jazz which has little or no appreciation. By providing this platform for real vocal artistes and musicians, we will be able to protect this genre of JAZZ from extinction in `Nigeria, and cause appreciation of the art. Furthermore, it provides wholesome entertainment value for individuals who would love to come out and enjoy a cool matured jazz music.
In going forward, Mr Wole Oni said this event is the first in its series and subsequently the event will be held in several cities in and outside Nigeria.
