EDAOTO & THE AFROGENIUS BAND IN LAGOS’ LIFE SERIES NOVEMBER EDITION

‘And there was no hiding the fact that the audience had a fulfilled day at the show. Many of them, like the ace dancer, Dayo Liadi 'ijodee', Lekan Balogun, one of the strong voices in contemporary Nigeria theatre industry, Segun Adefila of Crown Troupe of Africa, with some of his dance team, would want the band to continue even after their three hours of Afrobeat performance.’

The November edition of Edaoto and the Afrogenius Band’s Lagos’ Life Series took place last Saturday against every odd that seemed would put off this every second Saturday of the month Afrobeat show.

The first of these odds started earlier in the month when the band leader and lead vocalist embark on a 12-day performance tour with the ace dancer and director of Ijodee Dance Troupe- Dayo Liadi. The aftermath of this was that the band could not hold its rehearsal since the main man was absent.

As if this was not enough, at the beginning of the same month, the band’s only guitarist lost his father to the cold hands of death. Ibukun Ogini was therefore crossed out of rehearsal, if the band could even improvise any, much the same way he was not considered for the performance of 12^th of November. The November edition was dedicated to his late father. Certainly, this is not too much an honour for a man who was a fan of band in his life time. The band would not forget that many a time they held their rehearsals in the late clergyman’s compound.

The story was not different with Tobi Oguntade, the band’s bassist and Okanlaa Folarin one of the band’s two saxophonists who were both unavoidably absent. Tobi Oguntade was sitting his first examination at Yaba College of Technology where he is a freshman. While,Okanlaa Folarin on his part was in Edo state, Benin city, on a national call. He is a member of the country’s supporters club that went to cheer Nigeria match against Botswana.

Nonetheless, because the band as a resolution that says come what, Lagos’ Life Series will not suffer continuity, the few members who were earlier by the 7pm take off time of the show were there to make things happen.

Meanwhile, the audience who could not fully comprehend these lapses was saturated with apprehension on how an Afrobeat band would survive in the absence of percussion that is the trust of its groove. But this fear did not last long as some of the band members began to trickle in single digit.

Interestingly and unexpectedly, it was Ibukun Oginni who first show-up at the start of the show. His Afro-hair and fair complexion could not hide the fact that he was yet to get over the death of his loving father. No doubt, there is a sense in how his fellow members and audience fill that he came notwithstanding, because of his faithfulness to his profession. Not too long afterward, Dayo…..also came in. Then, the typical grooving of Edaoto and the Afrogenius Band which the audience is familiar with resuscitate in full swing.

And there was no hiding the fact that the audience had a fulfilled day at the show. Many of them, like the ace dancer, Dayo Liadi, Lekan Balogun, one of the strong voices in contemporary Nigeria theatre industry; Segun Adefila of Crown Troupe of Africa, with some of his dance team, would want the band to continue even after their three hours of Afrobeat performance.

‘…at the beginning of the same month, the band’s only guitarist lost his father to the cold hands of death. Ibukun Ogini was therefore crossed out of rehearsal…The November edition was dedicated to his late father. Certainly, this is not too much an honour for a man who was a fan of band in his life time. The band would not forget that many a time they held their rehearsals in the late clergyman’s compound.’

Reported by: ’ari-ajia lanre

LAGOS’ LIFE SERIES, THE OCTOBER EDITION

‘We enjoyed what we see here…tell the world that we do.’ Those were the words of Mssrs Ghalem, the head of French Cultural Centre, Lagos office and Ibrahim, the centre’s Technical Officer during the October edition of Lagos’ Life Series. These were not ordinary accolades. For the members of Edaoto and Afrogenius Band the fact that the arrow-head of French culture and his lieutenant would spend an approximately two hours of their busy time to listen and continually applaud the band performance was a metaphor of endorsement on its own; not to mention their good words.

This every second Saturday, monthly Afrobeat show as usual commenced at 7pm, at its present in situ- Savannah Bar and Restaurant, 42, Iwaya Road. By the time the show took off, dignitaries such as the two mentioned above were already seated; same for the teaming fans of the band that continues to increase in such an admirable digit. It was as usual expected that the band continues to be in the good book of their fans. Evidently, the fans are beginning to master the songs of this band, as well as their musical dexterities. Edaoto, the band leader, only have to say Gbagba, and one is sure that the audience will not wait for the refrain reply of his member. They often first the band boys in the reply of this onomatopoeia that is not only a covert word for a call to performance action but somewhat becoming the band’s signature turn. This is a pointer to one thing: that the fans are fully into the groove of this band.

The October edition of Edaoto and Afrogenius Band showcased other interesting musicians and instrumentalists such as …. who left the audience jaw-dropping when he exhibited another talent of his where he sang lengthily… Perhaps, one remarkable essence of this skill is that there was no mistaking the lyrics of the popular tune he reproduced that evening. Other artistes include the ever reliable clan from Crown Troupe of Africa.

More and more, Lagos’ Life Series continue to reaffirm the fact that it is not any kind of programme, the reason why it should not be compared with any other programmed; least, not with any from Savannah Bar, simply because this Afrobeat evening is on the role call of programmes that happen at this rendezvous. Lagos’ Life Series is in a world of its own. It is the only programme at the bar that can boost of the presence of the crème de la crème of the Nigeria Literary and Art enclave, as well as, the Who-is-Who in Nigeria, in its audience. Let us not over-flog the obvious Lagos’ Life Series does conscious music that is outside the orientation of other programmes/ performers at this event place.

“Evidently, the fans are beginning to master the songs of this band, as well as their musical dexterities. Edaoto, the band leader, only have to say Gbagba, and one is sure that the audience will not wait for the refrain reply of his member. They often first the band boys in the reply of this onomatopoeia that is not only a covert word for a call to performance action but somewhat becoming the band’s signature turn.”

Report by: ARI-AJIA lanre