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Lagos Jazz Festival


freedom park, Lagos Island
Freedom park, the jail turned into a happening place

Lagos jazz festival 2015

Among the nice things happening in Lagos, there is the Jazz festival, which took place this year at Freedom Park in Lagos Island, on the premises of a former jail. The rugged walls still hold the place together; inside the large courtyard is planted with trees, flowers and concrete. Three stages happening to play simultaneously at times, each one trying to hide the noise of the others.
jazz in the mega city, stage number 2
Stage number 2 of "jazz in the mega city!"
The program, split over 3 days, went crescendo from amateur to professional and from mainstream and traditional music to real jazz on the last day. Nearly all artists were from Nigeria, except a group from South Africa which left one wonder why it had been invited. The vast space was far from full perhaps as a result of entry fees (though modest), fuel scarcity and perhaps lack of advertising. What is more jazz is perhaps very abstract to local taste. 

the beat goes on
and the beat goes on
Percussions played a determining role in the selection of bands. As soon as a percussion band turned up on stage, onlookers were starting to "shake body".
high life
gospel
gospel

A big family

Most visitors seemed connected to the musicians who were always ready for a photo opportunity. 
We had found a table at the Grilling Station, next to the main stage, which turned out to be our headquarters for the three evenings. 
crooner of the past: "fly me to the moon"
the most powerful voice of the evening
the most powerful voice of the evening
We did an interesting experiment on tipping. A friend of mine is culturally accustomed to giving large tips, which, in many countries, people remember on a future occasion to provide excellent service (in the view of getting another one). The principal waitress asked me at the end of the first evening "what do you have for me?" I responded, joking, but somehow I did not lie, "I don't have any money left, but my friend has some". She then said, "then you should bring me chocolate". I retorted that she should give me the next day a free water on the change she hadn't given me back that evening. She agreed.
The next day, I brought her some chocolate. She was extremely pleased. She tended to my needs with extreme promptness when I signaled we wanted something, the beer became cheaper on the occasion. My friend did not experience the same service. He waited a long time to get some water, perhaps the waiter (it was not the waitress) thought he should rather have ordered beer.

Conclusion: chocolate works better than money!

embracing the cause of women with a sweet voice




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