Ego…Turns up the heat again

BY GREGORY AUSTIN NWAKUNOR
ANNE Harthrope was arrogant. Full of feminist venom. Everybody knew it, so, were her brothers. But Anne was just the creation of Amaka Igwe. Maybe she knew it. Maybe not. But the moment Ego Nnamani, no, Ego Boyo, got that role of Anne Harthrope in the television series, Checkmate, her eyes opened to the realities of film production. And she waited to exhale in her relief period: the month she co-produced Violated. “For 13 years, I have been running Temple Productions,” she says softly and gestures to one of her staff to bring a catalogue containing all the company’s work. “In a bid to bring the best to the industry, we are re-launching to showcase our new services and latest film production equipment,” she says. Sporting an elegant and stylish look, Ego says: “This strategic move follows closely on the heels of our partnership with Refinery, an international outfit, to provide the Nigerian film industry with the state-of-the-art technical services for post-production. We decided to re-brand the company and bring the best to the industry. We looked into the possibility of partnering with individuals and companies outside of Nigeria because of the sort of expertise they can bring to our operation in terms of technical quality.” The whole idea of partnering started when her company shot 30 Days. For the film, “we collaborated with some American film technicians, and what they brought to the film was their incredible experience, and they were very knowledgeable about technology that was new and the best practice in the industry. International quality was what we were aiming for, and I believe we got that. So, after that I started looking into the possibility of partnering with people for future project because they were bringing in a lot that we did not have here in any project that we are involved in.” Ego adds, “we are now going to offer better services to our client, we are going to do a lot of corporate work, we are also going to do some films, but we are going to divide them to seven films in a year. We are going to concentrate on more corporate works, do more documentaries, corporate videos, and training videos, advertisement. And then we have our little business, which is equipment leasing, and also have a small part of the company making feature films and documentary series.” FOR much of the period she spoke, Ego wore a confident, ambitious ‘gown’. Her words wore on the weight of a project that will turn up heat on the scene. When she laughs, Ego comes out free and young. And you could hardly imagine that for 18 years or thereabout, she’s been a regular, maybe not really so, but an important face in the country’s movie industry. “In order to reinvigorate the Nigerian film industry and to present the opportunity to produce internationally acceptable films in Nigeria, we felt it was necessary to introduce these equipment,” she sings. To Ego, though attention of the world is on Nigeria’s film industry, a survey carried out, which is currently in the works, showed that most corporate organisations tend to export their video production to South Africa and the United Kingdom. This, she admits, is as a result of dearth of trained professionals who have the sophistication required by them. She notes, eye hardening and voice inflecting a more serious tone. “We are going to start from the beginning, which is acquisition of content; we are going to go all the way to post production, we are going to be able to offer whatever the client wants. If a client comes to us and wants us to develop only content for them, we have the ability to do that, if they want us to handle the entire production, be it corporate, documentary, or advertisement, we will do that. If they just want to lease equipment from us, they can do that. If they want to have post-production services, that also can be done. So, it is full service, all service production company.” Her rough edges on the job have smoothed, and now have brought her more wisdom and finesse. For the lady, there is a lot of financing involved in filmmaking. She enthuses, “we want to concentrate on other aspects, it cannot be only about making films…’aw no’… making films is not only time consuming, it takes a lot of money and the returns are not guaranteed; there are so many issues with the pirates and trying to find the right distribution company, so, when you consider all of those problems, it is difficult to say ‘I am going to make more films’ until the industry has regulated itself to an extent where it becomes a business that is profitable, because at the end of the day you want to make some profit, as a result of this, we are going to start with two to three films in a year, two good films as usual and do other things. There are so many other things; we have a series for television, reality TV, corporate videos, documentaries, so there is a lot of work that can’t be done, it doesn’t have to be films; it is just a part of the business.” REMINDED that she had always brought strength and depth in her varying roles as an actress, especially in Checkmate, a programme that was consistently a major fan favourite, attracting large number of audience, she chuckles, glances beyond the shoulder of her interviewer and moves towards the closed doors and says: “Production is what I have been doing for 13 years; it’s not a business that is just starting now. That is what I am saying, it is not a sudden switch. When I was acting, I had one series and one film and from then on, I had done this which is production; yes there was a switch from acting, but acting was not what I wanted to do, it was a means to an end, it was a way to get contacts, know how the industry works and then I went on considering what I wanted to do which is production, being behind the scenes, working as the producer, doing what am still doing which is running my studio, renting out equipment, offering post-production services and all of that.” Over the years, she has learned a lot about herself and one thing she cannot trade with is education. That is her favourite cause. She says, “I believe in education of children. When I say education, I’m not talking about books only, I’m talking about all that education, offering proper education entails bringing that advantages that they do not have, being able to give them formal education.” She adds, “it is also being able to train them to succeed in whatever they want to achieve. That is what I believe in, and I’m part of the cause that does that, it is called Fortune Network Nigeria and that is what we do.” Her favourite books and authors. “Gosh! I don’t know; I have read so many books, I don’t have a favourite book, I have lots of favorite books. I have several, not one. Unless you want me to give you several names, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Maya Angelou, Somerset Maughan, among others,” she says. What would you predict as Ego’s routine? “Exercise, talk to my children and my husband, you know, people you have in your house but you can’t predict what is going to happen at work because on every given day, you are meeting with different people or it might be a quiet day where normally you will be sitting in your office trying to come up with some new proposal to some organisation, or read a script or come up with some way of shooting the pilot or read a script and think about how to put it on stage. There is no day that is the same, there is always something different… we all have that, so you wake up in the morning, say a prayer, go to the gym, say a quick hello to my husband and children and they also rush about their own school and work; and I go to the office and see whatever the day brings,” she says. Her hobby? “Oh my God!” she heaves. “I don’t know. I am an avid reader, and I can read three books at the same time, I can watch a film and I can tell you what I going to happen before it happens. I’m a bit critic but I’m also somebody that enjoys films thoroughly, I can watch any sort of film.”

Cover, Edition 179, April 5-11, 2009

Eebi Epe ... The pomp of a feast

BY ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA
DATELINE: Saturday, March 28. Shaibu Kayode Sadiq is seated at the Epe Recreational Centre. From time-to-time, he nods his head, taps his feet and gleams with smile to the traditional music ushering out from the jukebox in the midst of other celebrants. He is filled with joy. For the almost 70 year-old man from Ibeju Lekki, there is no telling that his presence at the occasion is a fulfillment of plan long made.
Sadiq’s mien is a reflection of the occasion, which like a wild fire affected everyone with ecstasy. The event is the grand finale of the 2009 edition of Epe Day otherwise known as Okosi of the Eebi Epe Festival.
In the words of Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, Arolugbade Elepe 11, the Oba of Epeland, “the essence of the festival is to celebrate our cultural heritage.”
A celebration that was first enacted in the 13th Century and solidified as a yearly event from 1760 AD, it takes over three months to prepare for it.
The Oba says each of the events holds a lot of historical significance for the people, hence time and care are taken for its preparation.
Some of the traditional events include Iwode Okosi, which is the procession of the different age groups in the community. It parades people of different backgrounds, all dressed in their element and marching to the grove for a common rite. Equally enchanting is the boat regatta.
Following behind are the Iyonfonron cultural firewoods burning procession; the Okoro; and the Epa Woro nite. Dance and music also feature prominently.
The youths also had their fill with the Oloja Youth Football Competition and Sisi Epe; a beauty pageant that debuted this year.

THE Oba, as the chief host, led the visitors and celebrants to the centre for the feasting. Among such visitors were the governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola and his retinue of officials; and Chief Sonny Kuku of Eko Hospital, Lagos, who was the chairman of the occasion.
Apart from the payment of obeisance to the Oba by different groups; guests were treated to different entertaining banquet ranging from traditional music, dances, masquerade, and magical arts among others.
Governor Fashola, impressed by the thriving commerce, called on the community to elevate it to a viable tourism product that would attract investors.
He also stressed on the need for the state to evolve a cultural festival calendar that should clearly give details of the diverse cultural event in the state.
An opinion also shared by Kuku, who emphasised the importance of preserving the nation’s cultural heritage, contending that a nation that discards or abolishes it cultural fabrics is heading for the dead. He spoke of the need to develop the sector into money spinning and employment generating ventures.
Kuku said: “We must encourage this, preserve our culture and then take advantage of it to bring in tourists because in many countries of the world, tourism is the largest foreign earner.”
For the Oba of Epe, culture remains a potent force for forging unity and development, hence he would continue to encourage the celebration of the festival, and try to elevate it to greater height to bring meaningful development to the people.
“It is a culture that we inherited and we have to promote it by showing the world that our culture is still alive; and also to bring back our people in Diaspora,” reveals the Oba.
In the words of Lawrence Ararhume, MTN Nigeria, the outfit “has chosen to connect with the people at times such as this, when they are celebrating passion and culture. We are also using this medium, as an opportunity to identify talents, and to give the people the power to do much more.”

The Last Word
IT is commendable that the people of Epe have realised the need to extend the frontiers of the festival beyond their community by insisting to make it a national and international event.
To this end, they have engaged Infogem Nigeria Limited, the marketers of Osun – Osogbo Festival to help prep up the profile and to create the awareness among corporate bodies.
It is a good start for the festival and the people, but to reap the benefits, the people must look into direction to attract investors to build its infrastructure, and tourism support facilities.
Specifically, the community needs standard hotels that would fast track this laudable dream.
Also, it must think of engaging tour operators and travel brokers that would bring in tourists while attention must be paid to organisation, especially the grand finale.
The various events must be well structured with ample time given for the various cultural displays.

‘Reloaded’ Nse

STAR ACTOR


BY SHAIBU HUSSEINI
Who is Nse Ikpe-Etim?
I am a simple girl from Akwa Ibom State. I read Theatre Arts from the University of Calabar; went into banking after school, and then did some work as a broadcaster, sold male clothing and worked a bit as a company representative here in Abuja. So, I have been through a lot of industries—banking, television, among others. I was doing well in the movie industry, but stepped out when I became really scared of my future. So, I took off the same year I did Venom of Justice. However, I came back, did a couple of works, before the offer for Reloaded by Emem Isong and Desmond Elliot, where I played Omoze, came.
When you left…
I had a television programme, the DTD talk show, which I did for Desmond Majekodunmi. I was also at Rhythm FM and then Cool FM for a while. After that, I still wasn’t satisfied, so, I went into banking. And then, after banking, I took a break from everything. Later, Emem dragged me into Inheritance, a television soap. I did that. I went back to banking again, but pulled out. Since then, I have been behind the scene, writing. So, that’s how it has been.
Playing Omoze
When Emem insisted I act, I chose the character Stephanie Okereke played because I felt that I could relate to the pain and she said, no, I should play Omoze. At the end, I picked up the role and did all the screaming, the shouting and close marking and I won’t say I am like that in real life. I have not had anything close to that. I just bumped into character and allowed the woman in me to play out herself. You know women sense a lot of things. A cheating husband knows his wife knows. She probably hasn’t confronted him. But I did not play myself in the movie. I simply assumed a character and merged two acting styles — Stanislavski and avant-garde — in my delivery. And that is, wearing the shoes of the character and actually allowing anything to happen. I am happy it turned out well. Looking back at the film, I think I was a very troublesome wife. If I had a brother married to a wife like that, I would drive her away personally. But I am just glad that the movie turned out well. At least it earned me a nomination at AMAA and that is because some people felt I did well. Thanks to Emem, who insisted I played the role.
The AMAA nomination
I am grateful to God for the nomination. The nomination is an honour, but I tell you that satisfying my audience is far the biggest reward, ever. I hope to put in 200 per cent for them each time. They should look out for some of the jobs I have done. I did Guilty Pleasures recently with Emem and played alongside Ramsey Nouah and Majid Michael. There is another one Edikan, which is actually in my language. It’s in Ibibio and I am a proper Ibibio lady.
Inspiration
I draw my inspiration from God and from the things around me. I recall once I took a long trip to Aba in Abia State to buy fabrics by road from Abuja and I wrote an article and everyone I showed told me it was okay, and then, Jetta Amata, my friend for over 13 years; now reads one of them and asked where I culled it from. I said I didn’t cull it. I wrote it. That was it for me. I needed something to push me and that happened and I needed someone to encourage me which also happened.
Resistance
Resistance was from my mum. My mum did not think it was good enough at that time. But as time went on, she understood, and today, I think she is my greatest supporter. She is very happy. She thinks everyone should do what makes him or her happy. So, if you wake up in my house now and you say you want to be a farmer, trust , mummy is going to support you. So I think I got the first support from her.
Other influences
Jetta Amata and Emem Isong. These two have been on my case. Amata kept harassing me. He kept telling me to leave other industries for the proper industry and I was like what is proper about it. Then Emem Isong came along and applied same pressure too. So, I started from my writing—scriptwriting and screen writing and then to acting. But I write mainly and have little time for acting. I wrote My Brother, My Keeper for Jetta. I also did with a couple of others including Amina, which is what we are actually shooting now in Zaria. Jetta is handling that. And I was honoured Jetta asked me to be his assistant director so now it means I have graduated from acting and I am trying my hands on directing. So I have been around.
Career ambition
To be the best cook in the world (loud laugher). Serious, I love cooking. My story will be the story of that chic that acts and cooks. Cooking for me is art and so it’s all in the same line. That’s my sole ambition even though I love acting. I will sure get to my height if God permits me. I have come to realize that it’s a step at a time. As for financial reward, money will come when it will come. In terms of pains of the profession, I don’t think it is different from the fad; boy meet girl, hey you are cool. It’s left to the girl to say hey I want or I don’t want. I think it is the same thing.
Fashion for Nse and her likes…
I am not one who is so much into fashion. I stay with my style. Sometimes I am sadly bohemian in my dressing. So, it will tell. I just wear what suites me. I like to be the way I am. Simple. It’s a lot easier. I don’t have a favourite food but I love food. I cherish my food. You can catch me eating anything. For music, they say I am not funky. I am not so much of a rap person. I am more of a pop person even though I enjoy music of all genres. For books, I just read. I read everything.

Gold …not scripted, not edited

BY OYINDAMOLA LAWAL
AFTER making a mark in modeling and fashion — with his boot cut pants, thick collar shirt, and cropped jacket — Toba Olabode Gold entered the music industry two years ago with his special kind of music, which he tagged jazz and neo soul.
The 28-year-old artist, who has modeled for some of Nigeria’s telecommunication companies, financial institutions and fashion houses, among others, on April 12, will launch his new album, record label and a magazine, spicing it up with celebrities’ catwalk.
Titled Blunt fusion, the show will have celebrities from different sectors and organisation, including CEO of banks, advertising agencies, communication, governors and their wives, among others strutting the runway in JD7 and V-Gorgeous’ outfits.
Talking about his album, he says, “it’s a fusion of contemporary R and B, folk, jazz and soul.”
On his recent video, Jeje, Gold says, “it talks about real life; the reason why people just have to take it easy in their quest for money. It is something I created out of the urge to correct the menace of the society. Are we on the right track? Jeje is just an avenue, where people can be corrected and challenge people to change for the better. It talks to every facet of the society – the young, the old, the government and the citizens. Basically it’s about life.”
He adds, “ it’s something I composed having heard the real life story of my friend, years back in the university. It is also a song that is socially relevant to life. It is a true-life story of my friend, who was murdered, in his final year in school by cultists. It is a corrective measure to the youth and a message for everyone. It talks about patience. I wrote Jeje in 2007, and shot the video 2008 after Fe Mi. There is a track, Tribute, dedicated to mothers; it talks about the lives of mothers and the pains of child bearing. Tribute will make an impact on people because it’s about parenting.”

GOLD also talks about other tracks in the album such as Asiri, True Love and Wake up Africa. He says, “Asiri talks about the spiritual powers of the world — the physical and the spiritual. True Love is something that will touch people and the track was done with Yinka Davies while Wake Up Africa has a global message.”
Having consulted as Strategic Marketing and Advertising Executive for different company all over the world such as Durand Foods, Conestoga, U.S.A, Image Infinity, Chateux De Atlantic, Treasure Afric Magazine, Gold now runs Icon Media, a multidisciplinary Consortium of Franchise and Integrated Communications outfit based in Manchester, United Kingdom.
Gold’s passion for music started at 13, when he was a vocalist in the church choir. He added a feather to his cap when he released his first single, Fe Mi, which topped the chart for some time, becoming almost an anthem.
So, who is Toba Gold? “He is a model, and an artist. Blunt is raw, undiluted, filtered, not edited and not scripted.”

And now… it’s Story Repete

BY GREGORY AUSTIN NWAKUNOR
HE is one of the artistes often referred to as ‘Renaissance men’. ‘They’ve worn many hats and captured much territory —film, stage, television and music’. They are very few in the world. Eddie Murphy, Will Smith, Jamie Foxx and Tunji Sotimirin, among others.
Sotimirin is a talented actor, dancer, comedian, director, university lecturer and musician. His resume is just one indication of why he is rated like others in the A-list of ‘Renaissance’ men.
But he has a different name for that expression, renaissance men — Konkere, a Yoruba word for a formidable concrete solution; an admix of different strong earthly components put together for building structures.
“I see myself as somebody ,who has different talents, and exhibits them with ease. And these talents are perfect,” Sotimirin says.
In addition to his involvement in playwriting, comedy, music and teaching; he also presents radio and television shows.
This afternoon, he is dressed down in loon pants and a poncho. He has on his feet a pair of plim sole shoes. In fact, he is in what he calls ‘rehearsal gear’. A whole lot of his students are around him, all trying to gain attention.
“Anytime we have a workshop ensemble class, expect to see me in this casual gear. No Otunba costume. I like being ready for theatre work, not playing,” says Sotimirin, in the type of deep voice coveted by many Hollywood actors.
Sotimirin is a creative soul. Very comfortable on stage, as he is on screen.
How did he find himself in the music world?
He says, “I was inspired by my mother. She was the Iya Egbe of a Were group in Mushin, you know were is the fore runner of fuji.”
Sotimirin says he has completed works on his third album, Stori Repete.
According to him, “it took three years to do a follow-up album, because I have been engaged in academic work coupled with the fact that the band has been busy performing live, both within and outside the country. The new album contains two fully loaded examining topical issues in an exciting, hilarious and entertaining manner.”
The band — made up of 20 experienced young men — according to Sotimirin, is fully recharged to make bolder statements to achieve greater impact in the music scene.
This new album is produced by one of his students, Ishola Michael, a young and talented Music and Theatre student in the Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos and assisted by Desmond Ogunjimi.
All things equal, the album launch is fixed for April 26 at the Main Auditorium of the University of Lagos, 2p.m. Samba Records market the new album.
His first two albums, In My Time and Opeleke, recorded appreciable successes.
So, what kind of music does he sing?
“This uncommon genre of music is a fusion of Fuji, Apala, Highlife, Afro and folk songs with heavy percussion. This music is suitable for the young and old, black or white.”
A friend of his, Wale Obadeyi, an artiste and film communicator, says, “it is not uncommon to see university dons, considering what Prof. Wole Soyinka did in the early 80s, expressing his thoughts on the goings-on in his society with a musical social commentary on vinyl like I Love My Country, I No Go Lie, even one of Nigeria’s most sure-voiced actors and folk musicians, Tunji Oyelana, now in exile in the United Kingdom, following his exploits as an Artiste-in-residence at the University of badan titillated the Nigerian nation with a series of musical releases, which either lampooned societal ills or sought to speak truth to power.”
According to Obadeyi, “it is against this background that Sotimirin’s Konkere music can be better appreciated. With Stori Repete, his latest effort, he has only shown the degree of his commitment to this style of music that’s remarkably, his own. Listening, from the first track to the very last, is an ardent invitation to Sotimirin’s eclectic nature and a persuasive attempt at speaking in the registers of the streets.”
He adds, “to be sure, the album’s a fine blend of juju, apala, fuji of the saje kind, afrobeat and a general feel of Alujo. But over and above all else; it is the role of the social reformer and validator that Sotimirin takes on, especially in the title track, Stori Repete that recommends his whole effort as compelling.”
Deploying the demagogic style, Sotimirin takes a group of children — those in whom immense knowledge are invested in today to arrive at a worthy future-through the nitty gritty of the Yar’ Adua administration’s 7-point agenda.

HOW did Sotimirin find himself in acting? “While at the campus of University of Lagos, I met one of the first inspirations in my life, the late Bode Osanyin, he was producing and directing a play that he had written, Omo Odo, and when I showed interest, he encouraged me to get involved. I participated there and then, that’s how I started out. His doggedness to the commitment of promoting culture was stimulating and I learned a lot from him.”
Since then, he has had series of comprehensive training, after having worked with some top professionals from different backgrounds.
“My education and training have afforded me the opportunity to work with theatre practitioners such as Soyinka, Professor Dapo Adelugba, the late Professor Ola Rotimi, Dr. Jide Malomo and Femi Fatoba; and some other good and talented icons in the country,” he says. “By virtue of my training, I can act in both English and Yoruba movies. I have performed and directed many stage plays including Supples Blues. I directed the laudable play The King Must Dance Naked by Fred Agbeyegbe of the University of Lagos, The Gods are not to Blame and quite a number of others I have done as projects.”
Late 2007, Sotimirin was invited to Dublin to star in a play, At Peace, written by Declan Gorman, the associate artistic director of Upstate Theatre Project. Upstate is an independent performing arts organisation located in Drogheda, County Louth, Dublin. The event was a three-month tour of major theatres in Ireland.
The humour merchant was almost going to end up in jail when he was coming home because of his ‘bad verse’ like Cinna, the poet in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.
“Everything happened at the Amsterdam Airport, I was stripped naked and locked up in a dingy cell as a result of a joke, which failed to impress the officers when I was asked to submit myself for a search,” he says.
Sotimirin reflects, “when they wanted to search me, I told them that they could go on, but I added, jokingly, that my ‘bum bum’ was very precious to me. Immediately I said that, they told me to step aside; and they called in the police. There was chaos in the airport and I started wondering what I had done. I was curious and I asked what I did. They said I must not repeat it again, that what I said was something that shouldn’t be said at any airport. They said they would delay me, delay the flight and search the plane. They did all that while I was still waiting, thinking that I would still board. I later found out from an immigration officer that they thought that I said bomb and that I had come to blow up the airport!”

CongratulationsHerbie Hancock!

Herbie Hancock

BY BENSON IDONIJE
THE fact that planist Herbie Hancock won the ‘grammy’ for best album of the year, 2008 is a good testimony to his consistent and elastic musical prowess, despite his seemingly unwholesome marriage since 1973 with fusion.
In recognition of this great feat, Herbie Hancock was hosted on the first ever Playboy Jazz Cruise as special guest recently from January 25 – February 1, 2009. Other musicians on board included Dianne Reeves, Keb Mo’, Poncho Sanchez, James Moody, Roy Hargrove, James Carter, Elder, Roberta Gambarini, New Birth Brass Band plus other great musicians.
Hosted by Marcus Miller of Playboy Jazz Cruize, ports of call were San Juan, Nevis, St. Barths, Half Moon Cay. Like the one before it, the cruise was a sell-out. Hancock truly deserves this honour for his longevity and relevance. The last time I saw him, he was playing keyboards at the Obama Presidential victory rally, among other notable musicians.
Hancock made his name playing piano with the Miles Davis sextet even though he had previously recorded with different groups and written some of the finest compositions in jazz today. But he departed from the conventional, straight-ahead jazz and began to dabble in fusions, like his mentor did in 1968. In Hancock’s case, he established the grounding for computerised music, feeding all kinds of moogs and synthesizers into the system. The result was Head Hunters which became a big hit for him in 1973.
The commercial success of this album encouraged him to pursue the path of fusion characterised by ‘funk’ and ‘soul rock’. He has since made it big, reaching out to a wider audience, including those who would never have been introduced to jazz. However, like Miles Davis who started to introduce elements of popular music into jazz from 1968, Hancock did not compromise his artistry. The entire texture of the music might have been watered down to a point where it appealed to non-jazz audiences, but he played his own instrument with the same creative ability that characterised his early jazz performances with Miles Davis and the many sides he recorded for Blue Note records.
As a matter of fact, if not for the amazing reign of Miles Davis, pianist Herbie Hancock might qualify as jazz’s most well known, popular performer since the ‘60s. Hancock had 11 albums in the charts during the 70s and 17 between 1973 and 1984 including three in 1974, figures that put him well ahead of any other jazz musician in the 70s and beyond.
Hancock who is a living legend, is also among jazz’s finest electics, having played everything from bebop to free, jazz rock, fusion, funk, instrumental pop, dance, hip hop and world fusion. Hancock’s style, greatly influenced by Gil Evans who also affected Miles Davis in some way, mixes introspective and energetic elements, and fuses blues and gospel influences with bebop and classical elements. He’s both a great accompanist and excellent soloist, whose voicing, phrasing, melodic and interpretative skills and harmonic facility were impressive early in his career, and remain sharp no matter what style or idiom he’s working. It all began from the ‘60’s.
In 1963, trumpeter Donald Byrd who had a lot in common with Hancock talked Blue Note into sponsoring Hancock’s first album as a leader and Takin’ Off resulted. Take off it did, propelled by Hancock’s Watermelon man.
The mid-70s found Bryd and Hancock the best selling jazz instrumentalists of all time, though their genre-hopping innovations had robbed that four-letter word of much of its meaning. They did improvise as jazz men are wont to do, and certainly their careers reflected a thorough grounding in the mainstream jazz idiom of the 1950s and early ’60s with forays into the avantgarde. But they also used electronic instrumentation and played over pop rhythms of the kind pioneered by James Brown and Sly Stone. Writers argued the merits of their new music – “Sell out” versus “new wave” – while the public bought their records in unprecendent numbers.
Memories are short. Even a casual perusal of the intertwined histories of Byrd and Hancock leads to the inescapable conclusion that the substantial reputations of both men have long been based on their ability to communicate with masses of listeners while satisfying the most demanding critics of all, their fellow musicians.
Hancock scored audience identification right away with Watermelon man which was later popularised in Europe, across Latin America and beyond by Mungo Santamaria, and went on to capture the attention of jazz players everywhere with his Maiden voyage, after watermelon man, one of the most influential and most widely played and recorded jazz compositions of the 60s. up till the ‘70s through to the ‘80s. Maiden voyage, Wayne Shorter’s Nefertiti, and a few other compositions from the same period, the mid-sixties, were tests by which the abilities of countless young unprovisers were judged. In a very real sense, they were the Lady be good, I got rhythm of the 70s. And up till the ‘80s discotheque bands around the world reproduced, as best as they could, the funk cross rhythms and electronic keyboards effects of Hancock’s Chamelion.
This might surprise some student musicians, especially those who are eager to jump into contemporary sounds without absorbing classical basics, but Herbert Jeffery Hancock, who took up the piano at age 17, never thought about contemporary music until his sophomore year in high school. For the record, he was born April 20, 1940, and grew up on the South side of the Windy City. At age 11, he performed Mozart’s D Major Piano Concerto with the Chicago Symphony. He first became aware of the possibilities of jazz at a high school talent show when he heard a fellow student improvising. “I didn’t know what he was playing,” Hancock later recalled, “So I had to really find out what it was for myself.” He then proceeded to shut himself up in his room with his record player, some staff paper, and jazz piano recordings by Oscar Peterson and George shearing, and transcribe the improvisations he heard, note for note. Only in this way could he play them.
“The first one I tried,” he remembers, “took me weeks. Then I got it down to days, then hours – and finally I found that I could recognise and write whole passages quickly, and away from the piano.” In this time-consuming, arduous manner, Hancock developed the improvisational skills, the harmonic sophistication, and the other attributes which have helped him forge ahead to his present position of eminence.
The rise to the top however started in Chicago, where he worked with, among others, the inventor of jazz saxophone, Coleman Hawkins. Then in quick succession came Donald Byrd, the move to New York, a few months in Bryds combo, Takin off, and in 1963, the piano chair in the most influential small band of the time, the Miles Davis Quintet.
He stayed in the band until 1968 and participated (as composer and pianist) in such ground-breaking albums as ESP, Nefertiti, Miles in the sky, Files de kilimanjaro, all of which served in one way or another as prototypes for the new electric sound which was to be Davis principal contribution to the music of the 70s.
In 1973, Hancock told Dowbeat interviewer, Ray Townley that Davis’ music of that period moved “through a lot of chord changes, a lot of different moods, a lot of tempo changes. But it would be misleading to say it was Miles Davis’ music. The music was not just a reflection of Miles, it was a reflection of all the guys in the band. He doesn’t ever tell you what to play, you know. If what you play works, that’s cool. Now if it doesn’t work, he’ll try to do something to make it work.
“I remember one time we were playing a concert in Germany, I think, and we were playing this one song and we got to one chord and I played the chord too soon, way too soon, it clashed with everything that was going on. Miles played - it was during his solo-he played something on top of my chord to make it sound right. He made it fit and it blew my mind.
“I’m sure he didn’t even think about it because it wasn’t anything he could think about. He didn’t hear it as a clash, he heard it as ‘this is what’s happening right now so I’ll make the most of it,’ and he did.”
Such was the tutelage that Herbie Hancock underwent with perhaps the most influential musician in jazz history.

Arinze… Destiny in his hands

Ato Arinze

BY TAJUDEEN SOWOLE
ATO Arinze is one of the few committed artists to the vocation of ceramic production. In 2004, at the French Cultural Centre, Ikoyi, Arinze led his colleagues to launch the now popular Art Zero, a group that started with 15 artists, but currently boasts of over 120 members, not leaving out nearly every young artist in the art scene, particularly in Lagos.
Arinze, who recently concluded a tour of Sweden and Norway with Craft Potters Association of Nigeria (CPAN), says his experience in the Scandinavia has helped his dream of empowering the art profession through focused groupings. He notes that it is hard for any artist to survive in Sweden without belonging to a group of gallery operators.

IN November 2007, eight Scandinavian potters visited Nigeria in the first part of the cultural exchange. The visiting artists from Norway were Tulla Elieson, Sidsel Hanum Anne, Line Sund, and Gunilla Maria Akesson, while Asa Jacobson, Margon Lindberg, Elisabet Svensson and Inger Sodergren were from Sweden.
last August, six members of CPAN went on a tour of Sweden and Norway, as part of the cultural exchange between Nigeria and the Scandinavian countries.
With the theme, Clay Without Borders, some of the artists involved in the visit were Fatimah Bello, Nwokike Josephine and four male potters namely Ogbonna Dennis, Owolabi Olusanya, and Ayoola Ibukunoluwa. They went on the invitation of the Norwegian Association of Arts and Crafts.
Arinze must have found the experience very encouraging for his focus as a founding member of Art Zero. “Oh yes, we have always said that artists need to take their destiny in their hands; that is exactly what I saw during my Scandinavian tour. Artists there form co-operatives, which brings them closer to the larger society; members have direct access to collectors and buyers while eliminating the middlemen.”

TWO years before the birth of Art Zero, Arinze had shown much interest in up-coming artists when he launched his group exhibition tagged Art on the Mainland, which has since become a yearly event. The 2009 edition, which opens on May 9 and runs till 16, at the National Council for Art and Culture, National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, has received several hundreds of entries, but just about 60 to 70 artists are to feature in the exhibition.
In furtherance of the drive to market participants’ products, three works from each of the exhibiting artists go into the show. “We are not just exhibiting for the sake of show, artists must sell their works. One to be exhibited at the Art on the Mainland show while the other two are for the sales exhibition at Studio 868 in Victoria Island.”
The umbrella body of art collectors and enthusiasts, Visual Art Society of Nigeria, (VASON) must have recognised Arinze’s grassroots role, hence the need to share his experience with others when he was made one of the guest speakers at VASON’s Artists’ Talk held recently.
“Whether it is the art zero initiative or the Scandinavian groups of co-operative, the whole idea helps in creating an enabling environment for members to function properly and giving them sense of belonging.”
Art Zero and Art on the Mainland clearly demonstrated the focus of Arinze; the need to bring out art from the grassroots level.

Phunk Touch

Designer

BY OYINDAMOLA LAWAL
FUNKE Ogunde, the brain behind Phunk Afrique, an outfit that specialises in ladies designs, is, no doubts, the rave of the moment when it comes to alluring designs.
For the lady, who draws her inspiration from the woman’s body, Ogunde opts to make a statement with her designs on the feminine contour.
According to her, “ our motto is ‘we help you get noticed.’ Somebody should at least say to you, “who made your outfit? You might call it vain or shallow, but people will give you audience when you are able to get attention. There is a difference between being a chic and be noticed; and being over the top.”
She adds, “my inspiration comes from a woman’s body. We make to suit the body of the customer, because their bodies bring out the beauty of our design. The things I like about the woman’s body are the waistline and the legs because I do a lot of short dresses when worn with nice shoes will give the woman some kind of classy, chic look. For people with big tummy are equally not left out as we make clothes that will give them a super look.”

THE Igbinedion University Economics graduate, Ogunde is one of the granddaughters of the late veteran filmmaker and dramatist, Hubert Ogunde.
Apart from art and fashion designing running in their family, she picked her passion from her childhood while modeling for her mother, who designs clothes and jewellery.
She says, “apart from my grand-parents, my sister draws and paints. So, I think everyone took a bit of the art, and mine is the fashion designing aspect. We are all into arts and not into medicine or any thing nearer to it. I remember, I used to enjoy cat walking on stage. So designing just came naturally to me”.

Rollicking dames

Encomiums ventures limited, the publishers of Encomiums, a celebrity magazine on Sunday, May 29, recognised and celebrated some Nigerians who have immensely contributed to the sustenance of nation’s burgeoning democracy.
CHARLES OKOLO was there and he captures the event, which started with a green carpet that fashionistas shimmer the carpet with beguiling outfits.
The categories of awards cover all people from the various geopolitical zones of the country as well as the three levels of government.
The award event which started in 2007, had in the past honoured notable Nigerians from all fields of human endearvour, but this years edition saw the presentation of A Decade of Encomium, 1997-2007; a 900—page compendium, which parades business moguls, thinkers, titans, artistes, aficionados and fashionistas among others.

‘I’m adventurous with my dressing… but no G-string, pls’

OLUWADAYO Ephraim is a reporter on Hip Hop World TV programme. The Food Science and Technology student of University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, is a native of Ondo State (Ilaje) was born on February 5, 1986. He attended Nigeria Port Authority Staff School, Apapa, and King’s College, Lagos, for his primary and secondary education. He tells DAMILOLA ADEKOYA what fashion is to him.

Definition of fashion
Fashion is inborn. I believe one is fashionable from inside. No matter what you think you can do to make yourself look fashionable, you can’t buy fashion except it comes from your being and basically; it fully describes the kind of a person you are.
Style of dressing
I try to keep myself very stylish whenever I’m dressed. A denim pants and a nice pair of shirt, with a gleaming belt will make me look stylish.
Favourite piece of clothing
My T-sort wristwatch that was given to me by my father. My orange Hills and Shades shirt too; it always stand out anytime I wear it.
Most expensive item
My Dolce and Gabana shoes.
Most cherished possession
My voice.
What can you not be caught dead wearing?
I could be very adventurous with my dressing, but no matter how adventurous I get, I will never wear a G-string.
Turn on
Good music and designer wears
Turn off
I hate gossips and I can’t stand darkness.
Happiest moment(s)
My birthday that was celebrated in Dubai recently.
Most embarrassing moment(s)
When I had to pull down my pant in public.
Stylish icon(s)
In Nigeria it’s Dare Art Alade and Bank W. Internationally, I love Pharell and Neyo, they are hot.
If you were given an opportunity to change something in Nigeria, what would it be?
I will look into the school system. I believe the foundation of a child is been made from school. And once the foundation is affected, it goes all through the life of that person. I will build a solid foundation for children, that will basically be my aim.

Asiwaju @ 57

Asiwaju dances to Gongo Aso

BY CHARLES OKOLO
ON March 27, a special birthday party was organised for the immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by Conference 57 comprising all the 57 local council chairmen in the state. The chairman, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, Chairman Ojodu Local Council popularly known as ‘chair of all chairs’. Some other members of the organising committee are Hon. Aliu Kazeem, Hon. Yemi Ali, Hon. Kehinde Bamigbetan, Hon. Kamal Baiyewu and Hon. Kunle Soname, among others.
The uniqueness of the birthday was that Conference 57, (Asiwaju’s 57 children — the 57 local councils he created during his tenure as governor), were there to celebrate the fulfillment of the life of their godfather; an icon, and to also tap into the significance of the event.
The event manager, Heartlink Ventures, did not disappoint with the well packaged Asiwaju @ 57 programme it provided.
The event, which held at the Banquet Hall, Oriental Chinese Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, began with a Green Carpet reception, anchored by none other than Gbenga Adeyinka.
A documentary on The Trials, Travails and Triumphs of Tinubu’s political career was done by Dudu Productions. While 57 goats were used as barbecue to represent the 57 local councils in the state. A tour of BBQ 57 was done by the celebrant and his wife, alongside guests.
Dignitaries present include the wife of the state governor, Abimbola Fashola; Tunde Buraimoh, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly; Rafiu Aregbesola, Lai Muhammed, Wale Edun, Tunji Bello and his Wife; All Lagos State council chairmen and their wives. Others were Leke Pitan, Dele Alake, Teju Philips, Derin Braithwaite, Tunji Bello, Yemi Fakayejo (Mobil), Abba Folawiyo, Chief Abert Iyorah, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamowora, Mutiu Are, Demola Amure and traditional rulers, among others. The Chinese and Ghanaian community were also not left out.
Artistes such as Wasiu- Kwam 1, Bukky Wright, Abass DJ, Kenny St. Brown, 9ice, Shan George, Essence thrilled guest with their music.
Wright, Essence, Kwam 1 and George performed a special birthday song in English, reggae and Yoruba.
The event’s comperes were Helen Paul, Gbenga Adeyinka, 1st; Seyi Law and Deji Balogun, who read the citation of birthday man.

Recycle

BY OMOLIGHO UDENTA
ORDINARILY, recycling involves processing used materials (which can be anything from futons to fridge) into new products in order to avoid waste of potentially useful materials, decrease the consumption of new raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution (from incineration) and water pollution (from land filling).
This is done by reducing the need for “conventional” waste disposal, and lower greenhouse gas emissions as compared to virgin production. Recycling is an important aspect of modern waste management and is the third part of the “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle” waste hierarchy.
There are various recyclable materials and they include many kinds of glass, paper, metal, plastic, textiles, and electronics.
Abroad, materials to be recycled are either brought to a collection centre or picked up from the curb-side, then sorted out, cleaned, and reprocessed into new materials bound for manufacturing.
Although recycling of a material, in a strict sense, would produce a fresh supply of the same material, however, because this is often difficult or too expensive (particularly when weighed against producing the same product from raw materials or other sources).
What one finds instead is a situation where many “recycled” products or materials are reused in producing different materials (for example, paper to cardboard).
An additional form of recycling is the retrieval of certain materials from complex products, either because of their intrinsic value (for example, gold from computer components), or due to their hazardous nature (e.g., removal and reuse of mercury from various items).
Opponents of recycling however state that it often wastes more resources than it saves.

AROUND here we do the most basic forms of recycling for instance carrier bags (usually nylon bags) are reused when shopping or as bin bags around the house, jars and bottles are resold for reuse, old tyre tubes are used to make shoes, old newspapers and scrap paper are sold to tissue paper manufacturers, used tins are reused to make lamps etc, politicians are recycled and reused as well, politicians.
‘Oyinbos’ recycle envelopes by sticking labels over the address so they can be reused, they sometimes make clothes etc. into other textile items such as cushion covers or teapot cosies even, and every once in a while, they even have car-boot sales to get rid of some unwanted items.
However, if anyone here tries any of these people might just think you are really, really, really hard up for cash.
Some don’t care anyway and will try to recycle or reuse items not meant to be recycled or reused. For instance, take the case of disposable diapers.
They are meant to be worn, and disposed of after use but I have seen someone who took the time to wring and then dry the disposable diaper her baby had just used!
Seriously though, old clothes and books can be given to charities, old electrical equipment and computers can be donated to schools or community centres so that others can reuse them.
Doing these de-clutters your space and may make you feel good too because you might just be helping someone.

omoudenta@yahoo.co.uk

Return to innocence?

BY TOSYN BUCKNOR
THIS column is Strictly for the Young, and sometimes, I feel I am too old for it! In fact, these days, I feel like I am too old for a lot of things. Like playing a good old April Fool’s day prank! Don’t get me wrong, I have never actually played an April Fool’s prank, especially as I play pranks in everyday life, any way! But I have derived joy from thinking of all the pranks I could play! I would lie in bed and think up grandiose schemes and take pleasure in them, even if I never carried them out. But this year? Nada. Didn’t even bother lying in bed. (Okay fine, I did lie in bed).
But I am growing old!
How do I know?
Well, all my friends are growing old! Birthdays are no longer 18 or 21, but between 25 and 32.
I wrinkle my nose at girls wearing mini skirts at the galleria, and have actually said, ‘In My Day’. Nooooooooooooo! When did I become the voice of the generation before me?
While I do not mind revealing my age, I still hate when people ask, and now, when I fill forms, I have sadly moved to the ‘Above 25’ box. Oh, the pain! And I swear, sometimes, I feel and hear my bones creak, and make myself touch my toes, just to prove to myself that I can. I have a niece, and my grandmother is a great-grandmother!

BEVERY Hills 90210 is back again, and I miss the old zipcode; the people that I admired when I was growing up are now really old, while the ones that I had crushes on, have children, and are being admired by my younger friends on facebook! Speaking of which… I sometimes cringe when I see my younger cousins’ facebook pages. Kids of these days say funny things. (Did I just say, ‘kids of nowadays?’)
I no longer know when JAMB and other similar examinations are, and worse still, I can no longer connect with them even when I am reminded.
Thankfully, I still know what it is to study for examinations at University and Post-Graduate level, for which I am grateful.
But for how long, I wonder? People call me ‘aunty’, and these days, I am too tired or powerless to insist on their dropping the prefix, and using my name! I actually care about the stock market, and might soon have to think about rent. Thirty is no longer a joke bandied around with giggling school mates during prep, and marriage is no longer that thing my older cousins do, seeing as every other week, there is some invite; to a friend’s wedding!
Oh I am getting old!
I feel it every day, and now I realise that when you are young, you want to be old, and when you get old, you realise you should have stayed young. Innocent. Naïve. Carefree.
But you can’t get it back. There is no ‘return to innocence’ like Enigma sang. There is only now, and possibly tomorrow.
So, what do I do? Refuse to accept that I might soon have to dye a stray strand of grey hair, or rise up to the challenge?
What would you do?

tosinornottosin@yahoo.com

All for oil

Vice President Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan (second right), Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (right), Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Odein Ajumogobia (left), vice chairman Petroleum Club, Otunba Funsho Lawal (second left) and chairman of the club, Dr. Oduimo Itsueli.

BY TOPE TEMPLER OLAIYA
MAGBON Close, and its environs in Ikoyi, Lagos, was on the evening of March 26, 2009, awash with security operatives, as an elite operators (serving and retired) in the oil and gas industry, drove their choice, posh automobiles into the secured premises.
The event, which required a security clearance for the dilettante, was not an economic summit or a forum to discuss the mess at the Niger Delta, it was the launch and official opening of the Petroleum Club; and the frenetic security detail was in expectation of the arrival of the Vice President.
At exactly 6:30pm, the long wait for the cocktail party to begin ended with the arrival of Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan, with the Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, following in his trail. After being received by the Chairman and Board of Governors of the club, the Vice President was led on a tour of the clubhouse, before making his debut at the party to declare the club open.
Not an evening for long speeches, Jonathan charged the influential gathering of operators in the country’s oil and gas industry to be the government’s unofficial think-tank on matters concerning the industry. “You are not just to come here and have a good time, but see yourself as the chief adviser to Mr. President on oil matters. We want an advice from you to the government on the way forward and how to manage the industry better,” he said.
Governor Fashola, responding to the Minister of State for Petroleum, Odein Ajumogobia’s earlier comment that the price of oil will continue to rise to a point where for economic reasons, people will look for other energy sources, said, “now is the time to respond as a people to what others are doing to avoid challenging times ahead.
The chairman of the club, Uduimo Itsueli, said the establishment of the club was in fulfilment of the need to have an avenue where experts and professionals in the oil and gas industry could unwind and share ideas on industry issues.
The Club will among its services, serve breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekdays, while it will serve brunch and dinner on weekends. Private rooms can be reserved for lunch and dinner and meeting rooms will be available on reservation for business meetings. The Club’s dress code will be business casual during the day but jacket and tie or national dress for dinner. Jeans, shorts, T-shirts or sneakers are a complete taboo.

Amoye …golden in age

Former Governor of Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua and some old students cut the anniversary cake

BY GBENGA SALAU
AT 50, Amoye Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State has given Nigeria a fair share of its illustrious citizens, including Profs. Niyi Osundare and Dele Olowokudejo; Wole Olanipekun (SAN); the permanent secretary Ministry of Tourism, Dr. Goke Adegoroye; former MD of ETB, Mr. Femi Ekundayo; Justice Boye Akintola, and others.
Recently, the old students gathered to celebrate the golden anniversary and to share experiences.
For two days, they took stock of progress and challenges facing the school and offered solutions to them.
The event started with lectures delivered by Professor Osundare and Dr. Jide Ayanibiowo. In his lecture, Osundare spoke on the need for government to prioritise education as a stepping-stone to sustainable development.
While reminding of the school’s culture of excellence, and the dedication of the teachers, Osundare recalled how the school impacted on him to rise to greatness.
The second day saw the launch of a N150 million fund for the development of the school.
Olanipekun, who donated an Internet Computer Centre to the school, revealed that he was called ‘Sharp Corner’ then because of his athletics skill, especially, how he outsmarts other contestants on the track.
Dr. Adegoroye commended the past teachers for their dedication to their duty and called on the present ones to emulate them.