All is set to celebrate the legend, Benson Idonije who clocked 80 on the 13th of June. A four-day lineup of activities has been scheduled in honour of the octogenarian who is a distinguished broadcaster, music promotions manager and a revered music critic.

Benson Idonije started his career in the 50s at the Ikoyi  Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, after his study at the Yaba College of Technology. He soon moved on to bigger achievements first as an On-Air personality and later on, as the first manager of the legendary Fela  Anikulapo Kuti.

From 1960 till date, Benson Idonije, who is a diehard Jazz lover has promoted the development of Jazz and continues to give informed music reviews.

It is no surprise that this iconic personality has a grandchild who has towed in the lines of music. Burna Boy, who is Benson Idonije’s grandson has made his impact in the music of this generation. Like his grandfather, Burna Boy has a keen ear for good sound and dishes it out with a more captivating voice.

To celebrate his grandfather’s 80th birthday, Burna Boy and his friends will be performing new generation genres; hip hop and afro pop  at the last day of the four-day event themed “The Benjay Phenomenon”. The event is scheduled as follows:

DAY 1 : JUNE 16

MAIN CELEBRATION

 

11 a.m. : Workshop with students of music, LASU ( coordinated by Biodun Adebiyi aka Biodun Batik)

Venue : LASU

4 p.m. : TRIBUTES/COLLOQUIUM @ MUSON CENTRE

Theme: Essential Benson Idonije

Chairman : Dr. Christopher Kolade

                   Pro-Chancellor, Pan-Atlantic University

Anchor : Chief Biodun Shobanjo

               Chairman Troyka Holdings

Other Speakers : Associates who worked with Idonije at radio stations, The Guardian etc.

6 p.m.:  BOOKS PRESENTATION

(i)  Dis Fela Sef : The Legend(s) Untold

(ii) The Great Highlife Party

(iii) All That Jazz

 

Chief Presenter : Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi

Chairman Fela Foundation

Music: Sakara, Agidigbo, Highlife & Jazz Bands

7 p.m. : Screening of ” THE ESSENTIAL BENSON IDONIJE ” ( An Interview Documentary)

8 p.m. : Concert @ Freedom Park, Lagos . ft. MIXED GRILL

 

DAY 2 : JUNE 17

HIGHLIFE CAPS

Venue : Goethe Institut, 4th Floor, City Hall, Catholic Mission St., Lagos

( In collaboration with MMIS, Premier Music & Evergreen Music)

11 a.m.: Workshop with students of Music, Theatre Arts, UNILAG  

4 p.m.: Conversation Caps

Theme : HIGHLIFE- THE EVERGREEN: LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

Keynote : Prof. John Collins

( Founder/Chairman, Bokoor African Popular Music Archives Foundation ( BAPMAF), Ghana.

 

Panel Discussions by Musicians, Culture scholars, and Music enthusiasts

 

6 p.m.: CONCERT

Featuring leading bands & veterans in Highlife music

 

DAY 3: JUNE 18

 

JAZZ & AFROBEAT

 

VENUE : Freedom park, Lagos ( in collaboration with Lagos International Jazz Festival )

 

11 a.m. : TOWN HALL MEETING

                Interactive session with COSON members

4 p.m. : CONVERSATION

 

Theme : ALL THAT JAZZ : The Standards, The Crossover, The Trans-format-ion  

 

Keynote : Tam Fofori

Jazz aficionado, film maker, photographer, veteran writer on the arts

 

Panel Discussions by Musicians, Culture scholars, and music enthusiasts

 

DAY 4 : JUNE 19

AFROPOP

Venue: Freedom Park, Lagos( in collaboration with Black House Media (BHM)

4 p.m. : CONVERSATION

Theme: MUSIC FORWARD

              Deconstructing.Reconstructing

 

Keynote :Ayeni Adekunle

                Founder/CEO, Black House Media (BHM)

 

Chair Person : Laolu Akintobi

Veteran Music Producer, A&R Manager

 

Panel Discussions by Musicians, Cultural Scholars, and Music enthusiasts

7 p.m. : CONCERT

 

Theme : A TOAST TO GRANDAD

                  …From the GENERATION NEXT

Featuring : BURNA BOY & FRIENDS IN HIP HOP AND AFROPOP GENRES

 

General Coordination : Committee for Relevant Art, CORA & Culture Advocates Caucus, CAC