Afro4 takes global Classic Jazz by storm

By Obinna Nnorom

Lovers of African music all over the world will have great fulfilment in thrill and excitement that will cascade them on a roller coaster as they sit in their comfort zones to listen to the latest classic jazz with it’s electrifying effects.

Released by four Africans from two different nationalities, Nigeria and South Africa, the Afro4 Band has a record label called the AfroDyssey Music Limited. Member of the band are virtusos and masters on their instruments with combined one hundred plus years of playing and performing experience.

The Afro4 began about six years ago, when Gain and Geoffrey decided on the project. The vision was to start a music Label and form a Super Band comprising players from various countries in Africa.

The partnership at the label level is between Mr. Bright Gains as Managing Director, Producer, Musical and artist Director, while Mr. Geoffrey Kwale is the Executive Director and Executive Producer.

The Band has a determination to produce a sound peculiar to themselves: aptly called the “Afro4 Sound”, as it plays a Jazz influenced sound of African grooves and genres.

The four members of the Band include: Bright Gain – Nigeria (Bass), Victor Ademofe – Nigeria (Brass Percussion), Luyanda Madope – South Africa (Piano & Keyboards) and Ade wale Adeyemi – Nigeria (Drums).

At the Quartet’s Exclusive Album Listening Session, which too place at New G Bar and Lounge, Victoria Island, Lagos, audience were wowed with electrifying melodies, infectious, beats, and a fusion of cultures that made their spirit soar.

Played with sensational sounds that make the listener groove, the album has eleven splendid tracks blended with the sounds of some African music legends like Prince Nico Mbarga’s “Sweet Mother”, Marian Makeba’s “Malyaika” and the Ebenezer Obey’s. The Band reworked the sounds to connect both the old and young generation together.

Speaking in an interview, Jeffrey Kwale, said the Afro4 concentrates on diversed African music that reflects the continent traditional music.

“We are focused on art that represents a broad spectrum of African genres.”
“Afrobeat music has become popular globally. The Afro4 has come to fill the world with sensational jazz.” Kwale explained.

Kwale stressed that the Band has a mandate to do music beyond the conventional Africa music- afrobeats. He noted that there is so much to African music than Afrobeat considering the varieties of genres within the African music.

For Kwale, Afro4 is a brand that represents Africa as a whole. The band represents that influence Africa with Jazz music.

He stressed that the time has come for Africa to play music that are of global flavour. Music that are durable and evergreen should be the focus of Africa.

For Luyanda Madope, the piano and keyboards player, Afro4 is an educated band with energy and vibes in African music.

Madope noted that the coming together of the band is carefully designed as the group wants to leave a lasting legacy to generations to come. Africa has a lot enjoy with vibes of the Afro4.

Wale Adeyemi, the drummer and founding foundation member of the band envisaged that the band would outlive the contemporary generation with its evergreen mission.