YEMI SAX: How my late dad inspired my music

Multi-talented instrumentalist and CEO of Sax Records, Adeyemi Adeosun, popularly known as YemiSax, who recently released a 21-track Afrobeat Sax (The Album) has just signed a management deal with Woodberg Management. In this interview with ADENIYI ADEWOYIN, the saxophone maestro speaks on several issues including his plans for 2019. Excerpts.

Your career in the entertainment industry spans over a decade. What has been the experience for you as one of Nigeria’s well-known saxophonist?

Really, I am not just going to say it has been rosy all through. However, it has always been a bit bumpy here and there, but I am thankful to God. Over ten years in the career is not a joke. I have been performing professionally before 2005. I dropped my first album in 2005. Of course, it has been a wonderful journey. There have been ups and downs, but in all, we thank God.

You have several albums to your credit, what are you offering your fans through your latest album?

Basically, the way I fix my album is a lot different. From the songs that I have released, I have gotten feedback through messages and phone calls from people requesting for my expression of songs they already know. It is always a thing of joy for me to make my fans happy especially lovers of my music, lovers of smooth Jazz, especially Afro Smooth Jazz. I do not do music for myself alone, I try to connect with the people who love and follow what I do. The new album is doing great; it has been online for a while on digital platform.

You have the new album running. Do you have videos to complement the tracks released?

Yes I have. In the latest release, I have a 21-track album which is the Afrobeat Sax (The Album). Then I released a video snippet, which is part of the songs to make a nonstop Saxophone video medley. The video is out officially. It is on YouTube, different platforms and it’s enjoying airplay on TV gradually. It is such a very nice video to complement the album.

What’s your view of the acceptance of Sax in Nigeria compared to other clime?

I am one of the people who paved the way for Saxophonists in Nigeria, to make them believe that we can make a living with the Saxophone, not just playing in church, and a lot of people have actually followed that path. You have to know that you don’t do music for just yourself alone, you consider your fans and listeners. There are ways I perform in Nigeria and there are ways I perform outside the country. I am able to mix my performance in a way that even people who are not familiar with Nigerian music and sound will be able to understand it, but at the same time I will not lose my Nigerian feel. The acceptance is rising even up to the level where Nigerian listeners now know what quality sound is unlike in the past.

What part of your childhood or upbringing would you say defined your career and made you to carve a niche for yourself?

I am from a music family. My late father was a banker. He worked with Bank of America for a couple of years and also worked with Savannah Bank. On the other side, he was a gospel musician. He was a choir master in Christ Apostolic Church at Yaba, Lagos. It’s a priority for every family member to know how to play at least one musical instrument. Even if you want to play any instrument you must first know how to play the piano. So, every one of us learned to play the piano. The music started from home for me. Even my mum who is a proprietress of a school is an excellent soprano singer as choir member. She is over 60 now and has been singing for decades. Music is in the blood.

You recently signed a management contract with Woodberg Management, can you shed light on this significant move? What are your projections under this new management?

There is nothing like synergy, having professionals come together to work with an artiste in the areas of talent management, strategies development and promotion. It’s great to work with people who will love what you do, that is where Woodberg Management comes in. I could not but sign working with Woodberg Management having Mr. Fela Akoni at the helm, it is a thing of joy for me, and I believe that by the grace of God we will attain greater heights together.

What are some of the challenge faced by artistes in the music industry in Nigeria?

Gone are those days that only talent can do it. In the past, artistes easily become famous by their talents alone. However, right now, if you have talent and you don’t have fund to push it. If you are not careful enough you will just die with the talent. Of course, sponsors put their money on artistes that already have a name, this is not so in the western world where they prefer to groom an artiste to become a talent. They discover a talent and say wow we want to groom you to become a star. It has affected the industry and talents have died due to lack of sponsorship. The industry is growing let’s not lie, In terms of making money. Lack of sponsorship is one of the challenges in this country I hope with time will change.

On a lighter note, how do combine your busy schedule as a married man?

The truth is when you are married; it is not something that comes easy, except if you just want to be the kind of married man who doesn’t care. You have to be involved with upbringing of children and domestic works too, in terms of helping out even if there is a maid. There are still few things you have to do for your children by yourself. Balance is really important. There is time for work, business and family. I just thank God we are coping and moving up.

If you’re not performing in studio or on stage, what other pursuits keep your busy?

I am a businessman. I do a bit of real estate. I have done diesel before, but I still do properties very well. I have done couple of businesses as long as it can turn money over. I know how to balance my thing, I don’t let my career suffer, I balance it well. Many artistes in Nigeria do real estate. Gone are those days when artiste makes and lavish money . Things have really changed.

You seem to play the saxophone with ease, is it talent or training?

It is because I learned properly, my music foundation and saxophone foundation is solid that is why I can do all this things and it looks so easy. When you learn properly you do it with ease.

You attended MUSON can you let us know what impact it had on your career?

I am a multi-instrumentalist, in MUSON I did theory of music and I was once one of the top violin players at MUSON. That is what you get when you get a proper music education to go with what you started with. I still go further to study more; this is what makes me stand out. I have done series of international music exams, the Royal School of Music and I did very well. At MUSON I did the piano I played with the orchestra. We were trained by foreign trainers. It is good to understand what you do. I didn’t joke with the rudiments. I can explain anything for you on my saxophone and other instruments I play.

What should your fans be expecting from you this new year and beyond?

Firstly, I appreciate the love and the support. I know there are people both old and young who follow my work seriously from start till now. I just want to appreciate their support in one way or the other.

A lot of things are coming by the grace of God between 2019 and 2020 this two years we are kicking off. My show is coming by the grace of God. I will be collaborating with a couple of Artistes putting out different things, seeing YemiSax differently. I am going to do a lot of collaboration both locally and internationally. I will experiment a lot of things and giving back more, although, I do my giving back but I don’t make noise about it. Making noise is not a big deal though I think it’s a way of encouraging others to give back.