Seyi Solagbade & Black face band
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Seyi Solagbade & Black face band

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"Seyi Solagbade �Shakes� Alliance Francaise"

Seyi Solagbade �Shakes� Alliance Francaise

The fusion and blending of a variety of music to introduce new creations has in recent times assumed amazing proportions.

Last week, yet another interesting fusion was exhibited at Alliance Francaise in Accra by the young Nigerian multi � instrumentalist Seyi Solagbade and his Black Face Band, who performed some his recent compositions in a powerful and magnetic concert.

With a dramatic blending of Jazz, Afro Beat, Funk, Juju and popular Nigerian music, the group delighted the capacity audience with music that appears hard but nevertheless maintains a soft nature.

The thirteen piece band included a lady dancer/backing vocalist who employed an array of instruments including the saxophone, trombone, trumpet and a set of Western and traditional African drums.

Solagbade�s lyrics comprise subtle comments on the current social-economic situation in Africa, HIV/AIDS, investments, health and other issues that tend to create awareness and the need for a concerted effort to confront these problems.

Moved by the captivating music and stagecraft of Solagbade, a number of people jumped to the dancing floor as the rest of the audience joined in singing after being urged on by the musician.

Earlier, the internationally acclaimed Nigerian saxophonist, Orlando Julius, who is currently in Accra for a number of projects exhibited his prowess at the saxophone with wild rhythms that seemed to shift from note to note with great intensity.

Born in the early 1970s, Solagbade, begun his career as a singer in a Lagos church, a move which helped nurture him into a career that has also become an obsession.

After a number of experiments with all kinds music, Solagbade, who plays eighteen musical instruments, formed the Black Face Band in 1994 in a bid to further develop and promote Nigerian music.

Consequently, the group undertook a highly successful performance tour of several Nigerian cities which earned them massive respect as they endeared themselves to the hearts of music fans.

Black Face Band is currently on a West African Tour with scheduled concerts in Lome, Cotonou, Bobo Diolasso, Ouagadougou and Bamako.

The concert was organised, sponsored and presented by Alliance Francaise and the French Embassy in Accra.




Source: Graphic Showbiz, John Owoo - John Owoo


"At present, I’ve enough songs to produce 10 albums – Seyi Solagbade"

Friday, January 19, 2006
• Solagbade

More Showtime Stories

Palongo music exponent, Seyi Solagbade believes that the recent Chanel O Awards among other international awards clinched by Nigerian music acts have gone a long way to confirm Nigeria’s dominance on the continent’s musical scene.

In spite of the exploits of contemporary hip-hop and R&B acts like Tuface Idibia, D’banj, Dare Art-Alade, Weird Mc among others not withstanding, the musician says that it it is not yet Uhuru for Nigeria’s showbiz scene.

The saxophonist is particularly irked by the increasing falling standards in the industry. " Most of the American hip-hop stars who are invited to perform at corporate shows in Nigeria perfom with live bands but our indigenous musicians with a few exception, only perform to soundtracks. Seyi who dropped his debut CD, Black Face, in year 2000 speaks about his recent tour of Europe and his plans to release a new album soon.

Nigerian music industry
Most of the musicians we have can hardly perform without a soundtrack. But a live performance shows the dexterity and the effectiveness of an artiste. One of the criteria of a good musician are: talent, creativity and sense of application. Most of the contemporary music we have in the country are not original and the focus now is to produce musical videos.

The desire to make money has hampered creativity. Music is no more a medium of expression but means of commercialization. Most of the American hip-hop stars who perform at corporate shows do so with live bands but homegrown contemporary musicians with a few exception cannot perform without soundtrack. This is a big shame. Most of the pop stars can play at least one instrument, how many of our own stars have knowledge of a musical instrument? Most Nigerian musicians are celebrated because Nigerians love scraps. But I forsee a time that only quality musicians will be celebrated.

Favourite Nigerian musicians
I respect a few Nigerian artistes. Although they may not be popularly celebrated. For example, Femi Anikulapo-Kuti, is a legend. He is highly celebrated outside Nigeria. Lagbaja is also doing something great. He is re-inventing highlife. Also Sunny Nneji is someone I respect so much. I have high regard for a veteran like Sunny Ade and fuji musicians like Pasuma and Osupa Saheed.

Album Delay
I am not in a hurry. I want to experiment my music more and discover myself. I want to do more live shows and build enough repertoire. I don’t want to release one album and the next one will be a problem, no. At the moment, I have enough songs to produce 10 albums. However, I think I am ready to release an album this year but I won’t give a specific time yet, lets keep our fingers crossed.

My absence at Felabration for Fela
I didn’t deliberately absent myself or boycott the event. There was a kind of a mix-up. I got different calls from the organisers that I am invited to perform on the same date. However, I was invited for the second celebration but knowing that it was a charity event, I requested for a formal letter of invitation which never came. Although I have been away from the big concerts lately, however it is not my fault. Anytime I am invited for a live show, I will show up. That’s not say that I have not been performing. I perform regularly at O’jez Restaurant, Iwaya, Lagos every first Saturday of the month.

Background
I started playing music in the 1980s from the church. I grew up among musicologists some of whom had Masters and Doctorate Degrees in Music. I began to learn and practise with various musical instruments. All along I treasured my voice and it later influenced my choice of course of study at the University. I attended Seven Days Adventist Primary School and later St Timothy College both in Yaba, Lagos. From there I went to study music at the Obafemi Awolowo University(OAU) and I majored in voice.

Journey so far
Although I play the saxophone, I see myself more as a vocalist because my voice is my instrument. I also play other instruments. Initially, I wanted to be a classical vocalist performing in operas and ballets and I did my first opera written by Dr Bode Omojola and entitled Odyssey of an Hynocinth with the French Government. Meanwhile I had previously waxed four records with my church but I decided to stand independently in 1991. After that, I waxed my first album entitled Matunwo(No Searching) in 1991. It was purely a classical and African Jazz, I wanted to establish something new. I did the second one in 2000 entitled Blackface.

Handling female fans
I relate with them normally because you can’t runaway from them. I just triy to be nice to everybody but I don’t abuse the privileges. Although some of them like to take it further, when they realise that I am not playing ball, they would believe they are wasting their time.

First performance
My first performance was at the World Refugee Day at the Tafawa Balewa Square in 1997. It was very exciting inspite of the large crowd. I won’t be intimidated on stage the moment the inspiration comes. It is like a spirit. Even when I am physically weak and I start to perform, the weakness will disappear.

Music Genre
My music is called Palongo. I borrowed the name from Ghana. It’s a kind of high-life with a vulgar meaning. But I’ll describe my music as a combination of different cultural influences, so that I can make it appealing to every culture. It is a marriage of cords. I also use relative minors essentially all the three minors. It is not contemporary jazz but pure conventional African jazz put in a contemporary way to make it more appealing. My band, Blackface refers to African pride, the richness and authenticity of African culture.
My first drummer Tosin Aribisala is now the fifth best drummer in the world. He left me for Femi Anikulapo’s band. Presently, he lives in the U.S.

Feedback
I performed in June last year at a festival at Torino, Italy. A large percentage of the audience there were whites yet the way they accepted my music was amazing. For them the different arrangement of sounds and movements was like magic. The show sold out the rest of my tour. The fans followed us through to the North of Italy even to France to watch our show.

My fashion
I put on African designs every time. I want to make people including we Africans, appreciate African fashion. During my tour of Italy, I sold six of my costumes to the whites at exorbitant prices at the end of each performance. They would wait for it and the highest bidder gets it. I recall one old widow who came to me at the end of one show expressing her love for my music, I was compelled to give her my my shirt and she gladly received it.

Inspiration
I draw inspiration from everything around me and I also listen to a lot of evergreen music a lot such as Yusuf Olatunji, Ayinla Omowura, Fela Anikulapo (and unfortunately I don’t know any of his songs apart from water), others include Alhaji Ayinde Barrister (60s collections), Akeem Kareem, Remi Olabanji, Angelic Kidjo, Seidu Keita, Femi Anikulapo. I like listening to music that will challenge me.

Influences
Most of the people who influenced me most are my Teachers and they include Mr Wole Adetiran Dean Faculty of Arts, The Ibadan Polytechnic, Dr Bode Omojola of University Ilorin. Others are Professor Tunji Vidal who taught me African Music when I was in OAU, Dr. Olaniyan and Dr. Adegbite. They are all musicologists. Also people like Benson Idonije, Jahman Anikulapo and Toyin Akinosho.

Role models
I admire Femi Anikulapo-Kuti. Where his father did get to, his son Femi has been there. Lets forget the thought that he is riding upon the successes of his father. It is his music that has brought him this far. You will recall that he was criticised earlier in his career that his music was too fast, yet he is still maintaining the same pattern and people are enjoying it. I want to be like him and greater than him.

Embarrassing moments
When I am financially handicapped and I cannot execute a programme. Recently, I held a talent hunt programme and was promised financial support by some corporate institutions. I have completed the programme, but there has been no assistance whatsoever. What could be more embarrassing? At these moments one could have been fustrated out of the business.

Marriage
I am married to Fehintola. She is a graduate of Music. She plays some


instruments and she is a member of my band. She does back-up singing and dances as well. We are married with two kids.
Prospects
I plan to go on more tours and take my music beyond the frontiers of this country. I also plan to release my album this year and earn respect.




By FEMI SALAWU - The sun news online


"palongo... with seyi solagbade"

last September.

Solagbade heads the new season of events at the French Cultural Centre in Lagos.

The musician started playing music in 1983 and founded his group, Blackface, in 1994. The group's first performance was at African Refugee Day in 1997. His songs include Condom, Mr. Stupid and Black Face - the title track of his CD. Palongo is Solagbade's own musical style, and comes out of the musician's quest for "unique and futuristic" music. The musician describes Palongo as "a dance rhythm with heavy and aggressive rhythmic pattern. It is a concept in 6/8 rhythmic pattern and it emanated from Ghana and other rhythmic percussion of some southern Nigerian States."

The fair-skinned Solagbade gave the reasoning behind his band's name. "Black Face is not talking about my complexion. It is an ideology. I am not talking about my 'white' face. It is the African pride I am talking about." He added that being an African automatically endows even a fair skinned person with a 'black face'.

Seyi Solagbade and the Blackface group will be in action at the French Cultural Centre from tonight, 7th January.

There will be other performances at the same venue on the 14th and 21st of January. All shows start at 7pm

posted by Wordsbody at 3:43 PM - MOLARA WOOD


"...as Solagbade Storms Geothe"

With a new fusion called Palongo, Seyi Solagbade's tight musical outfit called Black Face has succeeded in creating a brand of afrobeat that is different from Fela Anikulapo kuti. The Band has attreacted rave reviews and comments from entertainment writers, the art community and the youths as one of the most unique to arrive the scene in recent times. a young and gradually rising star, Seyi who plays the alto saophone also sings. He writes his own songs with the professional arrangements that possess the harmonic progressions of a genuine artist.

His debut album, "Black Face" is currently enjoying good listening at home at part of Europe, particularly Britain, France and Italy.ith a new fusion called Palongo, Seyi Solagbade's tight musical outfit called Black Face has succeeded in creating a brand of afrobeat that is different from Fela Anikulapo kuti. The Band has attreacted rave reviews and comments from entertainment writers, the art community and the youths as one of the most unique to arrive the scene in recent times. a young and gradually rising star, Seyi who plays the alto saophone also sings. He writes his own songs with the professional arrangements that possess the harmonic progressions of a genuine artist. - This day news


"south by southwest festivals conferences"

Seyi Solagbade & the Blackface Band
Genre: World Hometown: Lagos State NIGERIA
www.broadjam.com/seyisolagbade
Friday, March 18 8:45 p.m.
Austin Music Hall (208 Nueces St)
Add this to your SXSW Calendar

Seyi Solagbade & the Blackface Band - BLACKFACE
Download | Stream
If you like this song, you may like these other songs

As bands come and go, a new one emerges to make an impact on the history of Nigerian music, specifically from the western part of the country.
We have seen the likes of Fela Kuti who have made a tremendous impact musically, but now look out for Seyi Sholagbade .
He claim on the public's affection with Palongo - their own style of music, blending Hi Life, Juju, jazz and other varied forms of Nigerian music.
Palongo is boisterous especially in live performance, and heavy percussive idioms are presented under free style wind and string instrumentation in the style of rock and funk. This is blended with the structured chord progression style of jazz. The vocals are essentially call and response type. This all culminates in a new rhythmic idiom and feel.
A 16 piece band lead by the talented singer/song writer and composer him ,he also produces the band.
Seyi describes his own compositions; " Tough and smooth, non-descript and impressive, but very deep ".

- SXSW 2005


"SXSW picks & sleepers"

SEYI SOLAGBADE & THE BLACKFACE BAND

8:45pm, Austin Music Hall Solagbade is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and bandleader in the mold of Fela Kuti, the famed afrobeat pioneer. Black Face, Solagbade and his 13-piece band's debut, tackles tough issues on original compositions, but fuels dancing with juju, funk, highlife, and jazz. Music for your brain and your butt. – David Lynch - SXSW 2005


"Trieste: Seyi Solagbade- [ Translate this page ]"

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In Italia per partecipare all'Afro Festival Association di Torino con uno spettacolo di danza, musica e letteratura nigeriana allestito in collaborazione con Sonia Aimiuwu, il sassofonista Seyi Solagbade - uno dei maggiori esponenti della musica nigeriana contemporanea - accompagnato dalla sua numerosa band si trasferirà a Trieste per suonare nel parco dell'ex Opp. Nove persone sul palco tra musicisti e ballerine/coriste; in formazione con batteria, basso, chitarra, tastiere, percussioni, voci e una potente sezione fiati.

Sempre più considerata come il cuore della musica africana, la Nigeria produce artisti in grado di influenzare musicisti di diversa nazionalità. Hightlife, Juju e Afrobeat sono i generi musicali che hanno reso famosi nel mondo musicisti come Fela Kuti e King Sunny Ade. Lo stile musicale di Seyi Solagbade costituisce un'armoniosa fusione tra i generi citati con una leggera propensione al jazz.

Quando: martedì 25 luglio alle ore 21:00
Dove: giardino ex OPP
Ingresso libero

Fonte: www.miela.it
- Ingresso libero


"MIELA**TEATROINSTABILE**TRIESTE- [ Translate this page ]"

In Italia per partecipare all’Afro Festival Association di Torino con uno spettacolo di danza, musica e letteratura nigeriana allestito in collaborazione con Sonia Aimiuwu, il sassofonista Seyi Solagbade - uno
dei maggiori esponenti della musica nigeriana contemporanea – accompagnato dalla sua numerosa band si trasferirà a Trieste per suonare nel parco dell’ex Opp. - GLOBOGAS presenta STRADASUONA-2006


Discography

BLACKFACE 2004 PRODUCE BY SEYI SOLAGBADE AND RECORDED IN GOLDMYE STUDIO LAGOS NIGERIA.

Photos

Bio

Seyi Solagbade, the leader of the band cuts a combination of the rough and tough aero-smithian rock character with the smooth and romantic mien of a ballader. The critic says of him "he is mean and soft", tough and smooth, non-descript and the Futuristic African(Nigerian) Artistte' with over 20 years experience as a professional musician. So much authenticity to show for it. MATUWO and THE BLACK FACE FROM HIS FIRST BAND , FORTIFIED SPIRITUAL to the present THE BLACK FACE BAND. The band on stage is different from anything you have seen before. At every performance, there is always something new to watch out for . This is a band that has survived the overwhelming and stifling environment of the African music industry with a promise of better tomorrow. As Artists come and go, another artist emerges to make an impact on the history of world music, specifically from the western part of Africa(Nigeria). We have seen the likes of Fela Kuti who have made a tremendous impact musically, but now look out for Seyi Solagbade . He claim on the public's affection with his kind of World music called Palongo (Afro Beat)- His own style of music, blending Hi Life, Juju, jazz and other varied forms of world music.Palongo (Afro Beat)is boisterous especially in live performance, and heavy percussive idioms are presented under free style wind and string instrumentation in the style of rock and funk. This is blended with the structured chord progression style of jazz. The vocals are essentially call and response type. This all culminates in a new rhythmic idiom and feels.The Blackface Band lead by the talented singer/song writer and producer , describes his own compositions; " Tough and smooth, non-descript and impressive, but very deep ". This is one of the hotest band in Afro beat and you will enjoy the hotest stage performance with very aggresssive instrumentation. ..

BOOK THIS BAND NOW

Management Contacts:

Name: Jeff Honforloco

Telephone: +2348055677549

Email: jeffhonfor@yahoo.com

Address: 13 Anuoluwapo street,Akoka-Bariga,Lagos Nigeria.

Name: Marcos Bagur

Telephone : 630.255.111

Email : marcbagur@gmail.com

Address :

Artist temporary site: www.myspace.com/seyisolagbade1