The CEO of Inspiro Productions and Convener, Lagos International Jazz Festival, Ayoola Shadare marks his golden years today with a virtual edition of the festival and blissful moments of reminiscences. Yinka Olatunbosun reports
He is a cocktail of jazz and Jesus. Ayoola Shadare is an unapologetic lover of jazz music, having been weaned on a rich variety of jazz music from his father’s collection. With about 30 years in the sphere of media and entertainment marketing, he bears a magic touch to both indoor and outdoor events. ‘No one does the sound better than Inspiro,’ says his friend and associate, Nseobong Okon-Ekong with whom the idea of LIJF was conceived. Even at that, he keeps his faith in God at a high voltage. This is why his 50-year journey so far had been exciting, though eventful.
“I know that my best is still yet to come so we will do more. Like I said, we are not retiring. The idea for LIJF was brought up in 2005 and it has always been traditionally held in April which is Jazz Appreciation month climaxing international Jazz day which is April 30. We couldn’t organize it in 2020; it was meant to happen. Cape Town was chosen as jazz capital for 2020 but the pandemic had them cancel it but we don’t want to allow another year to go by without holding ours,’’ he said.
Over the years, Shadare had replicated the LIJF experience in other parts of Nigeria pioneering jazz concerts including the Bayelsa International Jazz Festival. With Naijazz, he hoped to promote the Nigerian brand of jazz music and attract even popular music artists to the jazz stage.
Due to the global experience that the festival personifies, Shadare has already been thinking of how to reach global audience long before the pandemic struck. But the continuous ban on large gatherings had propelled that plan into action with a 2-day pre-recorded jazz festival that kicks off today and ends tomorrow, May 15.
“Virtual show is what we had even been planning to do long before the pandemic. But the pandemic moved a lot of people online. We are also adapting to that. That does not mean that in years to come, it won’t still happen as a live event. It will happen as a hybrid event which gives it more opportunities and possibilities,’’ he said.
The headliners this year include The Afro-indie band Afrosonics, Roforofo jazz (from Paris) and Afrojazz band, Mike Aremu (UK), Nthabiseng Motaung, Phebean, Bright Gain, Tosin Alao, New Revelations, Ekundayo Dbass, DJ Jimbo, Kwitee, Adeh, and more. No fewer than 20 acts slated to perform and out of these are four DJs.
“This year, the pre-recordings went quite smoothly,’’ Shadare said, whilst reflecting on the challenges of the 2021 LIJF festival. “We had booked venues and studios, scheduled time for the acts to perform. Except for hitches with the timing and finance, things have been so far so good. And I want to point out that even the support for the LIJF has been good. We are backed by a committee of friends who support us and make this happen by their contributions in one way or another to allow this virtual edition to happen. I am also using this medium to thank Shaddie at 50 Committee of Friends who we requested that they show support for the virtual edition of the festival.”
Apart from jazz music, Shadare is also very passionate about Nigeria and her untapped resources in the creative industry. At 50, the kind of Nigeria that he desires is one where the citizens can reach their full potential.
“Nigeria is always on my mind. The older I get, the more I worry about Nigeria meeting its potential. I dream for a Nigeria that works. One that cares for its citizens, harnesses the potentials- both natural and human resources and realise its full potential. I want to see a Nigeria where the citizens fear God and operate justice and equity. The creative and cultural industries and all the allied industries are big businesses are abroad and things are beginning to open up. There are royalties. One of the biggest challenges in our entertainment industry is that there is no structure. There is copyright issue, piracy. We don’t know the amount of billions if not trillions of naira that is being lost. Government should try and understand how the industry works put in policies and invest in same,’’ he said.
In his view, the jazz scene in Nigeria has developed rapidly in the last two decades although, there is still room for improvement. Shadare also thinks that concerts will not be the same. “I think what we will have will be a combination both hybrid and live for obvious reasons. That is the new norm,’’ he added
The LIJF physical stages were often named after music legends. And if he was to bring any artists to the stage, he has at least three favourites namely Dr. Victor Olaiya—the ‘evil’ genius of highlife, Bob Marley and Hugh Masekela.
Right from his childhood, he has been an optimist. He is always willing to take chances and risks while maintaining a good attitude despite any setback. When asked what he would miss about childhood, he simply answered, ‘The simplicity of things.’
“Modern life is so complex now and energy sapping but life is to be much simpler, easier if there is more co-operation. But right now, it seems like everything is competition and daggers drawn but life goes on.’’
Shadare remains charming at 50 and yes, still very single. He revealed the secret behind being happily single.
“If you are not happy being single and you go into marriage looking for happiness, then it is going to be problematic. I am happily single. I am fulfilled. But I look forward to falling in love with someone, getting married and sharing my life. I believe in traditional family values but I think you need to be happy before going into the marriage, have a purpose, drive, know the reason why you are doing what you are doing.’’
