Mike Aremu brings India Arie for Sax Appeal 5

It’s now confirmed that Grammy Award winner and singer India Arie will headline this year’s edition of live music concert tagged Sax Appeal. Initiated by Nigeria’s renowned saxophonist Mike Aremy, the concert billed for June 26, at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, will also feature performances by Timi Dakolo and Praiz.

“I can confirm to you that India Arie will headline the concert this year; she’s excited coming to Nigeria. For me, it’s also an exciting moment as we continue to fulfill our promise of bringing quality music to Nigeria,” Aremu said in a chat with The Guardian.

Born India Arie Simpson on October 3, 1975, she is an American singer-songwriter, actress, musician and record producer. Arie released her debut album Acoustic Soul on March 27, 2001. The album was met with positive reviews and commercial success and debuted at number ten on the U.S. Billboard 200 and number three on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

She has sold over 3.3 million records in the US and 10 million worldwide. She has won four Grammy Awards from her 21 nominations, including Best R&B Album. In 2002, she got the record of “Most Nominations in One Night Without Winning”, with seven received nominations.

Conceived in 2010, Sax Appeal concert aims at fostering interaction between businessmen, entrepreneurs and organisations in an entertaining atmosphere. This event has also brought together top politicians, entrepreneurs and business executives, including Donald Duke, Aliko Dangote and Babatunde Fashola. Past editions paraded the likes of Kenny G, Judith Sephuma, Kunle Ayo, Yolanda Brown,Hugh Masakela, Marvin Winans, Mary Mary, Timi Dakolo, Cobhams, Waje, Jessy J, Agboola Shadare, Yinka Davies, Tosin Martins, Bez, Cobhams Asuquo, Waje and others.

Mike Aremu has a reputation of being one of the front running world –class saxophone players; currently the most successful Jazz global export from West Africa in particular Nigeria. His music transcends class, age and race, but what sets this distinguished musician apart is his ability to draw from traditional Nigerian sounds to create sounds that represents both creative-passion and his culture.

Growing up in Niger State, his musical interest started from the age of eight where in Church each child was encouraged in playing a musical instrument, from there with some basic lessons and determination by 1995 he decided to make the full transition and concentrate solely on the Saxophone. The following year, he joined House on the Rock’s music team.

Nowadays Mike spends a considerable amount of time travelling and performing at venues across the world. He has played alongside notable international artists like Kenny G, Hugh Masakela, Najee, 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 and others.