Sura the Tailor returns for birthday concert

On Thursday, November 12, at the Ajibulu Moniya Gallery in Surulere, journalists, highlife enthusiasts and friends gathered for a press conference on the Highlife Allstars Jam being organised in honour of renowned actor and musician, Tunji Oyelana.

Also there to declare their support for Oyelana were: veteran musician and trumpeter Victor Olaiya, accomplished guitarist Alaba Pedro, flautist and saxophonist Eji Oyewole (former member of Osibisa); and Anjola Aboderin, a former member of Oyelana's The Benders Band - one of the event's co-coordinators. A friend to Oyelana and proprietor of the Ajibulu Moniya Gallery, Segun Olusola, was also at the event.

All had tales to tell of their relationship with Oyelana, who turned 70 on October 4.

Bambo Ademiluyi, a highlife aficionado and co-coordinator of the planned Highlife Allstars Jam, praised the popular Sura the Tailor (Oyelana) for teaching people how to live properly and developing morals through his lyrics and his role as the avuncular neighbourhood tailor.

‘There is nothing like old school'

Decrying Nigeria's treatment of its heroes, Ademiluyi said, at various points of seeking sponsorship and publicity for the concert, they had been told that ‘Tunji Oyelana is not sellable' or that ‘Highlife is not sellable.' The other highlife musicians said music promoters had also told them that the genre was old school, a belief also held by some of the younger generation.

"There is nothing like old school," Aboderin said. "Old school is in the mind," proferred Ejiwole.

Youth present suggested collaborations with reigning musicians or re-releases of the highlife records, many of which are not available in Nigeria. "You get them to buy in Decca or HMV in London," said Ademiluyi.

Demola Olukotun, an Oyelana protégé, blamed the ‘discord' between both generations on the conservative leanings of the older group and the get-rich-quick mentality of the young generation. Not done with laying blames, he accused entertainment reporters of not being aware of their duty, especially in reporting events as they pertain to the music and not necessarily to the sleaze surrounding Nigerian musicians.

Olukotun suggested a forum where reporters, Highlife devotees, musicians and promoters would discuss the future of the genre.

Highlife All stars club

As part of events celebrating Oyelana at 70, the organisers proposed a Highlife Allstars Club where it is suggested that members will include stakeholders in the genre including representatives from the press, who will help publicise the club's activities.

The planned concert will feature Oyelana himself, in Nigeria for the first time since he fled a hostile Nigerian government 12 years ago. Also scheduled to perform are: Olaiya, Oyewole, Pedro, Aboderin, Segun Bucknor, O.J Ekemode, Fatai Rolling Dollar and Jimi Solanke.

Oyelana was hounded out of Nigeria for his National Democratic Coalition leanings and his closeness to Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka. He has been in exile in the UK since then and runs EMUKAY, a bar in London described by the organisers as "a melting pot for Nigerians."

The Highlife Allstars jam is being put together by Oyelana's friends, which include Segun Olusola, Soyinka, Yemi Ogunbiyi, and creator of the ‘Sura the Tailor' character, Kunle Bantefa.

The Allstars Club and lots of music are on the cards for the concert holding at the Yoruba Tennis Club in Onikan, Lagos, at 4pm on Thursday, November 26.