All roads will lead to Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday, December 22 when saxophonist, Mike Aremu, marks his 20th anniversary in music with a concert.
He will be joined at the event by fellow gospel musicians including Tim Godfrey, Sammie Okposo, Tope Alabi, Onos Ariyo and Ibitayo Jeje amongst several others.
It will be a time of joyous celebration for the saxophonist who spent his formative years in Niger State but has since become globally renowned. Looking at his life’s journey from where he started and where he is at present, there’s no disputing the fact that God has been ordering his steps.
After basic music lessons, he decided to make the full transition and concentrate solely on the saxophone by 1995. The following year, Aremu joined House on the Rock’s music team having also played with the Compassion Band of the Strong Tower Mission.
In 1999, Aremu signed a record deal with Kennis Music and released two albums, ‘Dance’ and ‘No Shaking’. He has also recorded two songs for the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) in the United States.
The Jazz artist has since played alongside notable international acts including Kenny G, India Arie, Hugh Masakela, Najee, Bill Laurance, Kirk Franklin, Marvin Winans, Israel Houton, Mary Mary and Fred Harmond.
He has also made considerable progress in Europe, in particular, the UK where he has performed in some of UK’s principal music venues like The Barbican, Apollo London, Apollo Manchester and The Ocean.
He has played eight times at ‘The Experience’, a concert organised by the House on the Rock Church and which attracts record crowds annually at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos. The artist has also performed twice at the London Festival of Life (FOL) an event that is attended by over 40,000 people at the Excel Centre, London.
Aremu is the convener of Sax Appeal concert geared towards the rebirth and promotion of live musical performances in Nigeria. Sax Appeal has featured renowned artists like Kenny G, India Arie, Jessy Jay, Judith Sephuma, Kunle Ayo, Yolanda Brown, Agboola Shadare, Yinka Davis, Tosin Martins, Bez, Timi Dakolo, Cobhams, Waje and many more.
Unsurprisingly, his efforts have been recognised with several awards including Best Instrumental Album of the Year and Best Gospel Music Video of the Year at both Today’s Gospel Music Awards and AMEN Awards.
Jazz and gospel music lovers will have the time of their lives at the December 22 concert where Aremu will produce more magical tunes with his beloved saxophone.