Grammy award winning jazz saxophonist Kenny G is on the list of high-profile performers billed to perform at this year’s edition of Sax Appeal on Sunday July 3, 2011at the Expo hall of Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, Nigeria.
The world-famous American musician Kenny Gorelick will be coming to Lagos as a guest of Nigerian jazz maestro Mike Aremu to co-headline Aremu’s ‘Sax Appeal’ – an annual event that has been tagged ‘‘jazz show of the year’’. Created in 2009, Sax Appeal is produced by Mike Aremu Vision as a concept to promote the culture of live musical performances in Nigeria and a celebration of jazz music.
According to an elated Mike Aremu, speaking on plans for this year’s event ‘‘I am delighted to let you know Kenny G has signed on to be part of this year’s edition of Sax Appeal and we have finalized discussions to that effect. Sax appeal has brought to Lagos some of the best performers and this time around we are going all the way to make it more fun and an amazing experience for lovers of Jazz and live music generally.’’
Speaking further Mike Aremu said ‘‘we decided to bring Kenny G to join us this year in fulfillment of our promise at last year’s show to bring Kenny G down to Nigeria in 2011. We are convinced no other person could do it better with us at this year’s concert than him. Kenny G is hugely popular in Nigeria and with a large fan base particularly in major cities like Lagos, Abuja and Portharcourt. Kenny G is a long standing saxophonist that is well reckoned with around the world and we are happy to finally have him in Lagos on Sunday, July 3. Nigerians know the best, they want the best and they deserve the best. That’s why we got Kenny G. It doesn’t get any better.’’.
Mike Aremu will be leading his Mike Aremu Vision band to grace the stage at the high profile music event alongside Sax Appeal regulars UK’s Yolanda Brown and South Africa’s Judith Sephuma. Nigeria rising star Waje and South Africa- based Nigerian multi-instrumentalist Kunle Ayo are also on the list performers for what has become one of Africa’s biggest nights in rich, live music.
According to Mike Aremu ‘‘last year’s concert was wonderful but you are going to witness something more amazing this year. We have made our choice of performers to set up the perfect mix of entertainment, quality music, energy, and attractive sound to have an ideal jazz concert. Personally for me and my band we will give the performance of our lives and of course the phenomenal Kenny G and other great performers will be joining us’’.
Kenny G will be joining a growing list of musicians like Tosin Martins, Bez, and Yinka Davies, and rapper MI – All of whom have performed at the annual event in the past. The appearance of the American- born instrumentalist at this year’s concert will further enhance the growing international recognition of the annual music event.
This year’s edition of Sax Appeal is aimed at creating a platform for interaction between Sponsoring Organizations, Corporate Executives and Entrepreneurs. It is supported by Classic FM, The Beat 99.9 FM, Naija FM, and BHM Group. The gig will be anchored by stand- up comedian Tee- A.
