Jams & Vibes session for Jazzman Benson at 90
The Lagos International Jazz Festival (LIJF) will hold a special tribute in honor of the legendary broadcaster, music critic and cultural icon, Benson Idonije, tagged Jams & Vibes Session –
The Lagos International Jazz Festival (LIJF) will hold a special tribute in honor of the legendary broadcaster, music critic and cultural icon, Benson Idonije, tagged Jams & Vibes Session – Prelude to 90,” as he turns 90 on June 13.
The celebration will hold on Saturday, May 2nd, at the Bature Brewery, Victoria Island, Lagos. This special edition of the LIJF will fete a man whose lifelong dedication to the arts has profoundly shaped Nigeria’s musical identity for over seven decades.
Widely regarded as Nigeria’s foremost music historian, Benson Idonije holds a permanent place in the global pantheon of music. He was the foundational manager for Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, playing a pivotal role in the early development of Afrobeat during the Koola Lobito’s era.
His influence remains remarkably contemporary; as the maternal grandfather of global superstar Burna Boy, Idonije represents the direct lineage between the roots of Afrobeat and the modern Afrobeats phenomenon currently dominating global charts.
Beyond his artist management, Idonije’s legacy is also etched into the airwaves. During his distinguished career at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), he was the voice that introduced generations of Nigerians to the intricacies of Jazz and Highlife. He is the author of the seminal book, Dis Fela Sef: The Legend(s) Untold, considered the most authoritative insider account of Fela Kuti’s life and artistic philosophy.
The celebration will feature a curated lineup of live performances spanning Jazz, Highlife, and Afrobeats, while the evening will blend music with “storytelling sessions,” reflecting on the evolution of the Nigerian soundscape. Highlights of the night will include live sets of veteran jazzists and contemporary Afro-fusion artists.
It will also provide opportunity for a public reintroduction and reading of Dis Fela Sef, legacy tribute on insights into Idonije’s mentorship and his role in the “Burna Boy” global ascent.
Founder and Director of the Lagos International Jazz Festival Ayoola Sadare (aka Shaddie Bobo) summed up the weight of this celebration thus:
“Benson Idonije is more than a legend; he is a mentor and the patriarch of the Lagos International Jazz Festival. Having celebrated his 80th birthday with him, it is a profound honor to do so again at 90. This event celebrates continuity. From Fela to Burna, Benson has been the steady heartbeat behind the scenes. We are honoring a man whose vision helped define the sound of a nation.”
Supporting partners of the event include Naijazz & Showbiz Africa, Committee for Relevant Art (CORA), Lagos Book & Art Festival (LABAF), Culture Advocates Caucus & Culture Dispatch and WATZUP TV.
