So, despite all the economic challenges and political wahalah Lagos Jazz Series held their seventh series over the last weekend. In an extraordinary collaboration with London’s Soho Radio, who beamed the event live, two days of Jazz, Soul and Funk thrilled all those fortunate to be there. Friday night at the Muri Okonola Park for the younger crowd was followed by a more sophisticated set at the prestigious Moorhouse Hotel on Saturday but both audiences showed their appreciation by dance and applause.
One of the ‘raisons d’etre’ of the Jazz Series is the development of young local talent as they share the stage with international artists of repute. In the past we have seen local drummers and brass players joining Abyssinian Jazz Vespers and Marcus Millar. This year soul legend Omar and Average White Band’s Hamish Stuart were backed by the LJS Quintet who yet again demonstrated the wealth of talent here in Nigeria. Both sets were opened by the bright and gifted Yvelle, a previous Winner of Nigeria’s Got Talent, with the ‘Lagos appropriate’ ‘Eyo’ and her first single “Time To Shine”. The park also witnessed another young star of the future, Maka, who played songs from her new self-titled EP. The Moorhouse however, were fortunate to witness two other Nigerian troupes from both ends of the age spectrum. Dede Mabiaku demonstrated his fitness and voice as an ambassador to Ebami Eda as his band shook the house with Afrobeat classics, including Fela’s “Water No get Enemy” and “Palaver”. The audience was then blown away by Cape Town based Cross-River indigene Etuk Ubong and his Quartet. Styling his pacey, driven sound as Afric-Jazz this newcomer to LJS was an instant hit. The crowd particularly showed their appreciation for his band especially the lanky drummer whose antics belied genuine skills.
LJS founder, Oti Bazunu, in another innovative coup brought a troupe of seven musicians from Cape Verde. As a lover of the dulcet tones of the late Casoria Evora he knew where to find African talent to showcase. Sandro, Lito Coolio and Lizander thrilled everyone with a mix of Creole style jazz with some strong guitar, light reggae and crooning. Their obvious delight at being in Nigeria and mixing with musicians and fans endeared them to everyone who came into contact with them.
Clearly, many at both houses had come for the more obvious star, Omar, who headlined at the park but older heads, brought up dancing to the Average White Band in the ‘70’s, were as excited about Hamish Stuart. Neither was disappointed. At the park Omar kicked off to “I Want It To Be” quickly followed, to the obvious enjoyment of the ladies in the audience, by his greatest hit “There’s nothing Like This”. When Hamish joined him on stage they dueted on AWB’s “Work to Do” and his own “It’s So”. By now the sizeable crowd were up and boogieing and refused to sit down at the end of the show. Omar and Hamish and the band were called back and the encore of “Be Thankful” included Omar bringing up a girl from the audience who dueted with him in soulful harmonies that had you thinking of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrel.
Next day at the Moorhouse Hamish’s own set, backed by an astonishing delivery of true funk by the LJS Quintet included some of his more recent self penned numbers like “Watch Going To Do For Me” and his homage to Muhammad Ali “Mighty Fall”, a moving and powerful tribute to a man he called his friend. After all here was a person who had lived in California, backed Chaka Khan and Paul McCartney (for six years) and toured with Ringo Star’s All Stars. The audience clearly came to enjoy AWB classics such as “Person To Person” and “Pick Up The Pieces” and he did not disappoint. Omar reprised his set from the Park with all the classic style of a man who has collaborated with Stevie wonder, amongst others. This was a night for basking in outstanding music played by outstanding musicians. Omar and Hamish came back on for not just one encore, a collaboration on AWB’s “Work To Do”, but for a second when Omar repeated his duet with the same girl, Amaka, who had been invited back as a guest of the house.
Yet again, Oti’s ferocious determination to keep Lagos Jazz series at the forefront of African music festivals despite all the obvious difficulties and “penkelemes”, has won through. As the audience downed their last glass of “Catuma” and made their way home they knew that LJS had proven “There’s nothing Like This”!
