Akeem Lasisi
All is now set for the fourth edition of the ‘Journey into Sound’ concert as cheek-beating entertainer, Jojo, holds the programme in Lagos.
The event happening at the Freedom Park, Onikan, in the evening of Friday, December 29, will see Jojo perform while some other top artistes will also mount the stage.
Among such are Yinka Davies, Edaoto, Koffi da Guru, Jude Orhorha, Imole Balogun, Ayiki and Afowoslide Abbey Trombone.
In a chat with our correspondent, Jojo said the vibes would be loud and inspiring, adding that the audience would be sure of varieties and a “brilliant memory”.
JOJO BODYBEATS’ PROFILE
Jojo Bodybeats is a Nigerian/African/Black entertainment professional, who is renowned for making tines and phonic sounds with his body parts – an art he creatively dubs BODIOPHONE (and himself, BODIOPHONIST) and thus he is arguably Nigeria/Africa/Black first bodiophonist (perhaps only one too).
His body is a multifaceted percussive set of natural instruments and although he started as a soloist, he has since transformed into bodiophone-led band.
Jojo Bodybeats discovered this rare talent in himself as a toddler, fondling with any object in sight and applying parts of his body to achieve rare sounds, in the white garment church he was attending as well as in the neighbourhood generally.
Professionally, he began at Jazz 38 with Tunde & Franc Kuboye band and from there passed through several phases before becoming an established solo performer, with transformation into Bodiophone-led band for almost a decade now. His art has taken him to several parts of Nigeria, West Africa, Central & Southern Africa as well as South Korea.
His forthcoming November 29 2023 JOURNEY INTO SOUND which is a night of potpourri entertainment by Africa’s Bodiophonist – JOJO BODYBEATS, supported by his artistic friends as side attractions, is the 4th edition. This journey of creatively unique full entertainment showcase began in 2004 at the then French Cultural Centre. 2yrs later in 2006, the 2nd edition held at same venue. In 2017, Freedom Park enabled the 3rd edition, which was salutary and generally regarded as different in all shades.
The unique thing about this 4th edition, is that it’s a culmination of all experiences sojourn of Jojo Bodybeats, spanning stage dance-drama/drumming/tap dance/bodybeats locally and internationally (pan Nigeria, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Benin Republic, Ghana & South Korea) to date and a jumpstart of a regular ANNUAL.CONCERT from 2024.
Jojo Bodybeats has worked hard conquering the domestic artistic space and now ready more than ever to GO GLOBAL.
Born Joseph Ololade OMOTOYE on November 14, 1969 in Lagos, Jojo Bodybeats as he is popularly known, hails from Ode Irele in Ikale area of Ondo State.
He attended Florida Day Nursery and Mopesola Nursery Schools, before proceeding to Duro Oyedoyin Primary School all in Surulere area of Lagos. He thereafter attended Ijeshatedo Boys Secondary School also in Surulere and later in life attended Lagos State University for Diploma in Theatre Arts.
– YomiOPAKUNLE
Managing Consultant to Jojo Bodybeats
