ABUJA – An American saxophonist, Bobby Ricketts, on Tuesday commended late Afro-beat maestro, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, for popularising the music globally.
Ricketts is on a one-week music tour to Nigeria.
He made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at a live concert sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja.
He expressed delight on the opportunity the concert gave him to perform one of Fela’s hit song.
Ricketts, who spoke on Jazz music in Nigeria, however, said that there was room for improvement on the genre.
“It is upbeat that Jazz can become mainstream music in Nigeria if Nigerian musicians pay more attention to that genre of music.
“It is possible for a Jazz artist (in Nigeria) to hit the limelight and this has happened many times across the world; you just need the right song at the right time.
“Jazz may not appeal to the mainstream (music), but mainstream can appeal to Jazz.
“`If you are saying you don’t like Jazz is like saying you don’t like fruits, everybody has some kind of fruit they like. [eap_ad_1] “You may be allergic to strawberries but you like bananas or mangoes or pineapples.
“Jazz is just the same; if you say you don’t like Jazz is just that you have not heard the right kind of Jazz,’’ said Ricketts.
The U.S. saxophonist based in Copenghan, Denmark, said the one-week tour includes master classes and lead workshops.
“I have heard many of the people that I have worked with use phrases like life-changing and for me it’s powerful when somebody says I changed his life.
“I have a message of peace and comfort, and that I try to communicate that with my music,’’ Ricketts said.
NAN reports that no fewer than 40 Nigerian musicians, comprising saxophonists, guitarists, pianists, drummers and vocalists are attending the classes. (NAN)
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