This
year, Lagos will join the world in celebrating International Jazz Day, a UNESCO initiative that began
in 2011 to foster world peace and unity. Since then, April 30th each year has been dedicated
to bringing communities, schools, artistes, historians, academicians and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate jazz. The event is also used to foster inter-cultural dialogue and mutual understanding and to reinforce international co-operation and communication which are the
core principles of UNESCO.
Come April 29 and 30 this year, the Eko Hotel Convention Centre, Lagos, will play host to “Runway Jazz” which has been put together by Sweet Sound Africa Promotions and Neo Mantra Ltd. This celebration will interlace jazz with fashion. Music accompanying runway is a norm these days because it is said that fashion and music are inseparable; music is an expression of an era or culture the fashion belongs to.
“Runway Jazz” would be a 2-day celebration of jazz, haute couture and fine dining. It would commence on the 29th of April with the runway event which would also be a night of jazz, runway presentations by top Nigerian fashion designers led by Frank Osodi of Bunor Creazioni. Music would be performed by Grammy Award winning Kirk Whalum, an American jazz icon alongside host band Sweet Sound, Dare Art Alade, Omawumi, Yinka Davies, Tee Mac and Tosin Alao. The night would also be used to honour Nigerian music legends such as King Sunny Ade, Fela Kuti, Victor Olaiya, Ebenezer Obey and Victor Uwaifo.
On 30th April, there would be masterclass and fine dining. The masterclass will be a training and mentoring session by Kirk Whalum for aspiring musicians and instrumentalists.
Speaking on the event, Afolabi Oke of Sweet Sound African Promotions disclosed, “’Runway Jazz’ is beyond a show. It is an experience that defines the impact of music on everyday life and allows us to express our culture in such a way that we encourage peace and unity.” The Managing Director of Neo Mantra Ltd., Nkiruka Oguadinma, added: “’Runway Jazz’ is designed to highlight our proudly Nigerian and African culture, talents and products all around the
world”.
“Runway Jazz” is a collaboration between Sweet Sound African promotions and Neo Mantra Ltd.
