Mike Aremu: Dialogue with the Master Gospel Saxophonist

There is only one way to describe Mike Aremu: saxophonist extraordinaire! Mike is one person that is pretty much after our heart here on AfricanLoft - if you look closely enough you will find his photos and musical clips in the community pages.

After an invigorating 2-day musical experience listening and watching Mike on the Saxophone at the Minneapolis-based Strong Tower Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, AfricanLoft scored an exclusive interview with the saxophonist.

“I picked up the saxophone in 1992, I learned to play the instrument in 4 days”, he reveals to the interviewer, Dave. “My mentor still finds it difficult to believe till today that he was actually the person that taught me. We were rehearsing a song, and he just handed me the saxophone to play and, I started to play it. I was given the saxophone on Thursday and by Sunday I played in the Revival Assembly.”

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Tell us your name and a little about yourself?
My name is Mike Adeyemi Aremu, I am a God-fearing, devil-hating music minister. I minister with the saxophone. Even though I am from the southwestern part of Nigeria, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, I grew up and went to school in the Northern part of Nigeria.

How would you characterize your music?
I play the saxophone, and I listen to a lot of jazz. However, I want to point out that thus far God has been the source of my inspiration. I have tried to limit listening to others, so that I can be more original. I wanted my music to stand out and judging from feedbacks, I don’t doubt that is being achieved. One striking thing about my music is the “Africanness” and the originality.

Who or what influenced you into music?
When I started, it was like a culture in the Cherubim and Seraphim church I attended. Every kid played one kind of the instrument or the other; I played the drums. The trumpet is one of the first instruments I learnt how to play, and then the bass guitar and the keyboard. The saxophone was the last instrument I learnt.

Mike Aremu on Sax, take a listen:

Why did you stick to the saxophone?
I used to play the trumpet and people would tell me it sounded as though I was playing a saxophone. Prior to the incident that happened at the rehearsal, I had never had the opportunity to play the sax or even hold it because I lived in the north and there were not a lot of saxophonists there. When the opportunity came on that day, I took advantage of it. I love the saxophone a lot. I cannot sing a lot, so the saxophone provides a way for me to express myself.

Every artiste has a discovery point, for you where and when were you discovered?
Hmmm. it’s a little bit difficult to say, but I would say in 1999 with the assistance of Kennis Music I released my first album. Kenny Ogungbe encouraged me to go into the studios. I thank God that He used Kenny to encourage me because prior to that I was not planning on releasing any album in Nigeria because I felt jazz was not so embraced in Nigeria. In fact it was a bit challenging to make people accept the music initially. So I tested the waters by performing alongside Onyeka Onwenu, Ras Kimono and Olufunmi to mention a few. I also performed at House on the Rock, in Lagos. I still perform there till today because that is my home church.

Why gospel Music?
It’s always been about gospel for me. I believe I was born to do just that; and I realized early what God wanted to use me. Back then, I used to perform at night clubs, and then at church the next day. Each time I played at the church, someone will walk up to me and tell me how my music has been a source of blessings. Most times, I will just say to myself “if only you knew where I had been last night. I really want to thank God for my Pastor, Pastor Adefarasin who really helped and encouraged me. As time went by, I got to the point that I made up my mind to only minister to God’s glory. I no longer perform at clubs. I have realized that playing the saxophone is a calling and a gift from God. When my music is played at clubs now, people say my music ministers to them. They say there is something about my music that touches them. I would want to say that it is the presence of God.

Each time you get on the podium to play what message do you want the audience to get from your ministration?
Anytime I go up to the stage, I pray that God will take over my breath and take over me. I have a 14-person band that travels with me everywhere I go. Anytime we are about to go on stage, I don’t tell them what we will be doing, I believe the Spirit of God will help us. Ultimately, I want the audience to be blessed. In my playing, I pray that God heals and blesses people. And to His glory, testimonies have abounded.

You have released 3 albums within an 8-year period. Can you tell us the significance of each of the albums and the inherent messages?
The first album, Dance, was released in 1999 under Kennis Music. One of the things I was known for was my dance steps. I love to dance so I decided to call it dance. The second was also under Kennis Music and it was called No Shakin. In the first album, I was trying to define my brand of music and I was trying to see how people can relate to jazz; while “No Shakin” was taking Dance to another level because it was a blend of Fuji, ragga, jazz and many more. The most recent Unveiled was released in 2005. My music has evolved, and there has been a lot of transformation from the first to the third album. I was concentrating more on the word. I wanted everybody to be able to listen to it. People listen to my music, and they do not realize its gospel until they are saturated in the music, and that’s the catch. The excellence in it is that it attracts them, so they get to hear the word.

Web: http://www.mikearemuvision.com/