REDTV holds Runway Jazz 2017 to support Lagos at 50

REDTV, an online lifestyle channel, supported by the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc., has announced plans to sponsor the Runway Jazz Festival, as part of events lined up for the commemoration of Lagos@50.

Holds on April 29 and 30, the festival is organised by Sweet Sound Production in conjunction with Lagos State government.

The event, a fusion of worldclass Jazz performances and fashion, coincides with the international Jazz Day themed, “Promoting Peace, Unity and Dialogue Through Art.”

Briefing the press in Lagos at the weekend, Obinna Okerekeocha, Creative Director, RedTV, said, “the partnership will afford the online channel’s teeming viewers and lovers of contemporary jazz the opportunity to experience a world class jazz concert in Lagos.”

Headlining Runway Jazz 2017, according to Okerekeocha are two Grammy awards winners; American saxophonist, Najee and UK singer-songwriter, Joss Stone. Others billed to perform at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre, venue of the event are some of Nigeria’s finest entertainers, including Waje, Yinka Davies, Dede, Heavywind, Tosin Alao, Xerona Duke and host band, Sweet Sound.

The two-day event will kick-off with music and business masterclass on Saturday, April 29, and the Runway Jazz Concert on Sunday, April 30.

“With haute couture from Jewel by Lisa, and a runway show that captures the evolution of Lagos over the last five decades, Runway Jazz will be the biggest and most unique music and fashion event to hit the Naija entertainment scene,” Okerekeocha said

Also speaking at the press conference held at the Tony Elumelu Amphitheatre, UBA House, Lagos, the Executive Producer, Mr. Afolabi Oke, said: “The Runway Jazz activities this year have been heightened and elevated by two strategic partnerships. The first is with the Berklee College of Music, Boston, USA, which will present a music and business masterclass facilitated by Professor George W. Russell Jr., chairman of Harmony Department. The second is the Lagos State government.”

On the theme for the event, he noted that at a time when there is so much turmoil, with socio-cultural imbalances, and political unrest across nations, there is no better way to unite the people than through a medium that pushes forward an agenda that promotes peace, unity, acceptance of diversity and intercultural dialogue, which is music.

Ace Musician, Dede Mabiaku and one of the star performers from Nigeria added that the Runway Jazz was birthed to engage music and art enthusiasts and jazz aficionados, giving stylish expression to art and culture through music and fashion.

According to him, the focus on jazz music really broadens its appeal, particularly in Nigeria and across Africa, and introduces an innovative franchise into the Nigerian entertainment scene. He assured that this year’s event will be the biggest, as he promised to perform some of the great songs of the late Afrobeat King, Fela Ransome Kuti.