Orchestras around the world rely on you to hear the music, for its synergy. And Temitope Jaiyesimi’s percussive odyssey proves that he’s a devout student of that school of thought. At a recent House of The Rock Christian gospel ensemble, this writer observed Jaiyesimi’s haunting balance with the choir, maintaining a rhythm on the Xylophone that basically vertebrates the entire composition.
Having trained as a conductor, it is not surprising to see him display such mastery over Tom Drums as well, at another boy-band showcase at a youth rally in Lagos, Nigeria, last year. Jaiyesimi’s cognizance of composition’s sweet spots help him latch on to the ripe moments for either back-up or lead rhythms. Also, with improvisation, he has proven to be equally as proactive.
But, if we are really zooming in on Jaiyesimi’s artistry, his Xylophone performances are really far above average for contemporary percussionists across the major music markets he operates in. Interestingly, his performances also help to accentuate nostalgia in every rendition, whenever he takes the lead rhythm. When he performed alongside the Afrokoko Root Band in Beijing, China, as part of the lead acts in the All Star Concert, in 2022, his intriguing duet with the flutist vamped up the bridge of their performance. It’s quite a humbling reality that he explores, being a versatile percussionist with a strong respect for balance. It’s really the secret to his eloquence in his performances.
Another compassionate lauding point for Jaiyesimi’s sojourn on the percussive side of things would be his mastery of tone control; basically, how he is able to uplift the entire composition with the Xylophone. His sharp precisions, manipulating the silence to deliver on each passage, keep the song alive with a calm and cohesive feel. And the blueprint — the sacredness of his tone and tempo balance — has distinguished his performances across his vibrant career.
Jaiyesimi started his musical journey as a choir boy at his local church in Lagos, Nigeria. He started studying Music, in 2008, at the Muson School of Music and gained admission into the Diploma School of Music, under the MTN Scholarship, in 2009, and graduated in 2011 as the 3rd best student in his cohort.
The music educator and director had his first degree in music at the University of Winneba, Ghana, and he also holds a Grade-8 Percussion certificate and Grade-8 Theory of Music certificate from the Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), in London.
Jaiyesimi is currently the principal percussionist at Loveworld Orchestra, Music Director at Rccg Church of Nazarene and Timpanist at The Exquisite Brass and Percussion Ensemble.
