The saxophone, invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s, has become more than just an instrument; for many, it’s a lifestyle. In Nigeria, numerous saxophonists have mastered this instrument, creating unique sounds and making significant contributions to the music scene.
The Rise of Saxophone Music in Nigeria
The Nigerian music scene is rich and diverse, with influences ranging from gospel to Afrobeat. Several saxophonists have risen to prominence, each bringing a unique flavor to their music.
Femi Kuti
Last month, Nigerian bandleader Femi Kuti made headlines when he held a saxophone note (A, if you must know) for 46 minutes, 38 seconds. This accomplishment broke the Guinness World Record previously held by Kenny G. According to reports, it was big news to Kenny G.
Kenny G, born Kenneth Gorelick, responded competitively, stating, “Oh, yeah, of course it matters to me. I’m very competitive. If it’s true the record’s broken, just know I’m coming for you, and I’m going to win.”
However, NPR reported that Vann Burchfield, of Birmingham, Alabama, broke Kenny G’s record 17 years ago, rendering moot any Kenny-Kuti rivalry. Gorelick questions whether either of them is official, since he set his 1997 record beside Guinness reps with timers. “If Guinness isn’t there, I’m not sure it counts. When I did my thing, Guinness was very specific about what the volume was. I couldn’t change the notes,” he says of his E-flat held for 45 minutes, 47 seconds. “But my plan is, I’m going to break every record.”
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Gorelick’s popularity peaked in the era of grunge and gangsta rap, and his super sweet sax tone and speedy solos led to ferocious critical reviews despite his undeniable super popularity. He went solo in 1982 and toured relentlessly, growing into the absurdly big-haired star who sold millions of copies of 1992’s “Breathless” and 1994’s inescapable “Miracles: The Holiday Album.”
Born in Seattle, Gorelick picked up the sax when he was 10, then bought his first soprano saxophone (for $300, from a guy he found through the classifieds) at age 17. When R&B star Barry White toured the Northwest, he lacked a saxophonist who could play soulfully and sight-read music; Gorelick’s Franklin High School band director pushed him for the gig, and he performed to a standing ovation.
Gorelick played more shows with White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra, and that led to a string of guest-sax appearances on albums by Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and others.
“It really never bugged me at all. Not at all,” he says. “Some people are very protective of traditional jazz, and anything that’s not sounding traditional-jazz, they just don’t like. They have the right to feel that way. I just didn’t take it personally. I didn’t think they were correct.”
Gorelick, 60, may play some of the most lighthearted smooth jazz ever created, and he’s amiable and funny in a 20-minute phone interview, but he is intense when it comes to his career and achievements. Asked about his latest release, 2015’s “Brazilian Nights,” he is borderline cocky.
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He made it after listening to “Getz for Lovers,” by Stan Getz, whom he first heard as a student in the University of Washington jazz band. Gorelick says, “I never really thought about doing anything of theirs until recently. Part of my motivation was sharing this love of these great saxophonists with people who wouldn’t necessarily reach that far back into the jazz world."
“It’s very tricky, technically, especially if you’re going to do it (in) the old style. You’re not playing bossa nova, you’re playing traditional jazz music,” he adds. “I worked really hard to learn the licks and study the vibe and the nuances. - I felt like, let’s say you play my song called ‘Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars),’ and you still don’t like my sax-playing, or you say you don’t like me - it’s basically a preconceived notion, because a lot of those notes are so on-the-money, and basically the same notes Cannonball Adderley played. That was one of the fringe benefits of doing it that well, I felt.”
Kunle Ajayi
Kunle Ajayi is another prominent name in the Nigerian saxophone scene. He is known for his gospel music and has made significant contributions to the genre.
Twinsax
Twinsax are a music duo from Nigeria who have been striving to master their art of playing the saxophone since age 9. Known in real life as Marvelous Taye Ayodele and Innocent Kehinde Ayodele; the twins are originally from Ilorin Kwara state in Nigeria.
In mid-2015 Twinsax found a space in my head with their youthful and nurturing style of jazz music fueled by their growing mastery of the saxophone.
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According to the younger twin Innocent Kehinde, “hitting the roof in the world of music today has become much easier in Nigeria because one does not necessarily need to belong to a record label to create awareness thanks to the power of social media.
Rising New Nigerian Music artiste, Saxophonist and Afro Music lover on her sax journey
They both say “we have always had the ability to captivate our audience and we believe we get a lot of our energy from them. Our fans will continue to remain the reason we do this because this is what God put us here on this earth for. We don’t want fame just for the mere reason of being famous; all we want is to simply win souls for God.
The Ayodele brothers are riding on all the support and attention they are getting from friends, fans and players in the Nigerian music and media industries. Their hope is to obtain the needed sponsorship to finance their desire to participate in more events across Africa and eventually the world.
Twinsax
Shola Iyiola
Shola Iyiola is an international award-winning saxophonist known for his unique fusion of jazz, Afrobeat, gospel, and soul. He plays guitar, trumpet, piano, and flute, to name a few.
The Ayodele duo tells #TheAfrican- Dream that “we have a heavenly established ministry to lead millions of souls into God’s presence through the sound of our saxophone. “I have always loved Jazz thanks to my mom and through my own adventurism in my mid 20’s discovered the music of the great Nigerialegend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who pioneered the spread of Afrobeat.
Other Notable Saxophonists
- Ian Kirkham is an English saxophonist known for his long-standing role with the band Simply Red.
- John Adams: City Noir; Saxophone Concerto with St.
- Michael K.
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tags: #Nigeria
