On Sunday, December 22, 2019, at the prestigious Intercontinental Hotel Victoria Island, Lagos one of Nigeria’s front running world-class saxophone players and currently one of the most successful global jazz export from Nigeria, Mike Aremu will be celebrating two decades of musical excellence with a concert.
The 20th-anniversary event will have in concert his fellow musicians mostly of the Gospel genre like Tim Godfrey, Sammie Okposo, Tope Alabi, Onos Ariyo, Ibitayo Jeje and a host of others.
Mike grew up in Niger State Nigeria where he was encouraged to play a musical instrument in school, from there with some basic lessons and determination by 1995 he decided to make the full transition and concentrate solely on the Saxophone. He joined House on the Rock’s music team in 1996 having also played with the Compassion Band of the Strong Tower Mission – a charity organisation. As his confidence grew so did his reputation as a charismatic musician.
In 1999 Mike signed a record deal with Kennis Music under which he released two chart-topping albums (Dance -1999 and No Shaking -2002) making a total of near two million copies from his first two Albums a record in sales for a jazz artist. He has also recorded two songs for the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) in the United States.
To date he has played alongside notable international artistes like Kenny G, India Arie, Hugh Masakela, Najee, Bill Laurance, Kirk Franklin, Marvin Winans, Israel Houton, Mary Mary, Fred Harmond and the likes. He appeared at the John F Kennedy Centre, Washington DC’s main concert arena. He has also made considerable progress in Europe, in particular the UK where he has performed in some of UK’s principle music venues like The Barbican, Apollo London, Apollo Manchester, The Ocean, to mention but a few. In the United Kingdom, Mike has sold out a few venues in his own concerts including the famous and prestigious jazz café, twice, and made history as one of the few Africans to ever make such landmark; London’s famous Jazz venue, Pizza Express Jazz Club and the O2 Academy, Islington. Performing before mega crowds is quite becoming normal to Mike. He has performed 8 times at the Lagos EXPERIENCE, a concert tagged to be the world’s largest gospel music concert, attracting a crowd of over 600,000 at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos. Mike Aremu 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. He has also performed at the FOL Wales and Scotland. The Green Belt festival was also a part of a major feat for his music career as he performed to an audience of 30,000. Mike is the convener of the biggest jazz concert series in Nigeria, Sax Appeal, a concept which is geared towards the rebirth and promotion of live musical performances in Nigeria. Also as an objective, to create a platform for interaction between Sponsoring Organization, Corporate Executives and Entrepreneurs coming together under an entertainment friendly environment. Sax Appeal has featured renowned artistes 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. The 2014 edition took place at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. Industry recognition has also been bestowed on this innovative Saxophone composer where he adds TOMA Awards (Today’s Gospel Music Awards) and AMEN Awards on his list of gongs received Best Instrumental Album of the Year and Best Gospel Music Video of the Year. AGMA 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 Instrumental Musician of Excellence. He won in four categories at the 2014 MEGA Awards (Album of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Use of Instrument, and best Contemporary/Alternative Album of the Year). Winner 2014 Crystal Awards for Best use of Instrument. Winner 2013 AGMA Awards UK Best Afro Jazz/Instrumental. He was also nominated twice at the KORA Award’s in 2003 which was Africa’s best known and recognized mainstream music awards ceremony. JCI’s TOYP (Ten Outstanding Young People) – Best self-developed personality. Nowadays Mike spends a considerable amount of time travelling and performing at venues across the world.