AFRICAN CONNECTIONS WITH JAZZ AND CLASSICAL MUSIC

 

 

 

For about two hours, the serene Agip Recital Hall of MUSON Centre resonated with a rich potpourri of classical, jazz, and traditional music of contemporary Nigeria and South America, this Saturday evening. The hash sunny weather had given way to a breezy alluring evening for live theatre, in this case, a concert.

The event was the opening day of the ongoing New Horizons: New Worlds – a monthly concert series aimed at developing talents and giving them a platform to express themselves. It is conceived by the Artistic Director of the MUSON, Tunde Jegede, with the full backing of society’s management, and it will hold from February to June.

Thrilling the audience penultimate weekend, include Ranti Ihimoyan, an opera and crossover singer who is versatile in various genres of music including folk, jazz, pop and classical; Diana Baroni, a brilliant evocative singer and flautist who “lures those who listen to her like siren”; Raphael Guel, a guitarist and multi-percussionist who embodies the essence of South American baroque and traditional music; Simon Drappier, an exceptional French contrabass player who has worked in Jazz, Folk and Classical music both as a touring and recording artist; and Tunde Jegede a composer, producer, cellist and kora virtuoso.
The music of Olaiwola Sakara ensemble not only added colour and rhythm to the performances but also shows the relevance of traditional music to contemporary music – classical, jazz, opera. The show opened with performances by Diana Baroni, Simon Drappier and MUSON Ensenble, conducted by Tunde Jegede. Ranti Ihimoyan backed by the MUSON Ensemble conducted by Jegede serenaded the audience with her rich soprano voice as she sang George Frederick Handel’s The Messiah, and I Know That My Redeemer Liveth.

The performances took an evocative, traditional note as Olaiwola Sakara Ensemble mounted the stage. Kate Aluko, Wura Samba, Imole Balogun, Olaiwola Sakara and MUSON Ensemble also wowed the audience with breathtaking performances.

The highpoint of the night include Kate Aluko, Wura Samba, and MUSON Ensemble performance of Hill of Solitude Valley of Festivity and Heat Haze, composed by Tunde Jegede; climaxing with performances by Diana Baroni, Raphael Guel, Simon Drappier, Tunde Jegede, Wura Samba and MUSON Ensemble.

The show took an intellectual with a film screening and panel discussion, at Nigerian Film Corporation, Ikoyi. Jegede, Kunle Tejuoso, Baroni and Didi Cheeka led the interactive discussion on traditional and contemporary issues in music. New Horizon, Jegede said, “is aimed at enriching and exposing local music talents to new skill; it is about the role and function of music and the arts in society.
It’s about education, exchange and empowerment and bringing people together from different stratas of society. New Horizons is about the development and advancement of young gifted musicians through creative, cultural and musical exchange. It is a place of art, ambition and creativity”.
He added that New Horizon brings a new consciousness to the arts through a series of concerts, screenings, symposium and discussions. “The original idea was to develop artistes on the local scene, to equip students and local talents here, but mainly those in jazz, classical and opera music with contemporary skills.

“Usually after graduating from MUSON, our students go to the U.S., U.K., South Africa and elsewhere to further their studies, as there are no opportunities here for them to practice. But this programme will provide them with opportunities and experiences professionally.
So, it’s a platform for young artistes to develop themselves professionally. At the last concert, we had Age Beeka, Keziah Jones and others, but it was difficult to know who was a young or old artiste. “New Horizons: New Worlds is a unique cultural and musical exchange, and one that celebrates the rich heritage of Nigeria.

It takes us on a journey from the classical world of the baroque to the traditional music of contemporary Nigeria and South America. New Horizons is all about creating a forum for alternative arts and expression to a wider audience. “It brings a new consciousness to the arts through a series of concerts, screenings, symposium and discussions.
Based at MUSON, Nigeria’s premiere music institution, it brings together some of the most talented students of the MUSON school of music to perform alongside some of the finest musicians on the international and local scene. New Horizons has initiated exchanges and partnerships with the London Jazz Festival, Goethe-Institut, Institut Français, British Council, Lagos Film Society, Jazzhole, Miliki and has been featured on BBC and CNN”. New Horizons: New Worlds concert series sponsored by Air France KLM, Institut Francais and Goethe Institut. 

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