By Japhet Davidson

It was a case of giving honour to whom honour is due, last week as the Lagos International Jazz Festival (LIJF) hosted a Special Edition Jams & Vibes “Prelude to 90,” session in honour of Benson Idonije. The venue Bature Brewery became the setting for a powerful cultural moment as the people from different walks of life especially those that matters in Nigerian music history converged with sound and storytelling.

From the red carpet to the final note, the atmosphere carried a sense of reverence. At the heart of the evening was Benson Idonije himself, a man widely respected as the first manager of Fela Kuti and a foundational voice in documenting the evolution of Afrobeat. His influence extends across generations, including being grandfather to The African Giant Afro-fusion superstar Burna Boy. His presence commanded respect, quietly anchoring the entire evening.

Music as Memory, Movement
The stage had a carefully curated lineup stars including the main headliners – Hifro proponent Labule & the Agbajoshu Quartet, with special guest saxophonist Dotun Bankole that delivered an expansive and immersive musical journey. A standout moment came from a young prodigy, the 7-year-old Pink Sax Girl, who captured hearts with remarkable dexterity and confidence on the saxophone.

ECA followed with a spoken word presentation, while Elnana-Afrika brought a rich, ethnic African expression with her shontu and drums. DJs Suns and Cheflon layered the atmosphere with nostalgic selections, weaving memory into rhythm.

Latest sensation Labule, backed by his 13-piece band, delivered two powerful sets, performing tracks from his repertoire with a structure reminiscent of the Africano mystique of Lagbaja further prompting the evocative question in his rallying cry: “Lagbaja we know, who is Labule?”

The energy on stage drew in Afrojazz guitar virtuoso Kunle Ayo, who joined at the request of Uncle Benson for a special performance. What followed was a rare, unscripted convergence, Labule featuring Kunle Ayo, who then introduced jazz diva Yinka Davies and the ever-soulful Gloria Ibru. The jam session that ensued felt organic, layered, and almost surreal, a moment where structure gave way to instinct. Jazz improvisations echoed reflection, Afrobeat rhythms carried defiance and memory and highlife passages stirred deep nostalgia. Labule eventually closed the night with masterful renditions of Lagbaja and Femi Kuti covers, sealing the musical journey with both homage and originality.

Stories between the notes
Beyond the music, the evening was defined by testimony. Tributes from long-time colleagues in broadcasting, including Taiwo Obileye, alongside protégés, some member of his school alumni from HTGS Sabongida-Ora led by Dennis Ifidion and others like ace sports broadcaster Dudu Orume, and other admirers, revealed layers of Benson Idonije beyond his public persona. He emerged not just as a journalist or manager, but as a cultural archivist, mentor, and quiet architect of Nigeria’s modern soundscape.

In his brief but deeply resonant response, Idonije who spoke of his enduring love for broadcasting, described himself as a teacher at heart, shaped by some of the finest minds of his time. Reflecting on Fela Kuti, he described him as one of the greatest musicians of all time, not just as an artist he managed, but as a friend whose legacy remains deeply personal.

Shortly after his speech, Ronami Ogulu his granddaughter and sister to Burna Boy gave the response on behalf of the family appreciated the organisers and all the well wishers in attendance.

On his part, Ayoola Sadare (Shaddie Bobo), CEO of Inspiro Productions and founder of LIJF, described Idonije as his mentor, his late father’s friend, and the “father of LIJF,” underscoring the festival itself as an extension of that legacy. He said the Festival had the privilege of celebrating at 80 and now at 90 is both a blessing and responsibility.

A Cultural Ecosystem in Motion
Produced by Inspiro Productions, the event reaffirmed LIJF’s growing role as one of Nigeria’s most important platforms for live jazz and cross-genre African music expression. Happening around the Jazz Appreciation Monthand international jazz day celebration, it was supported by a wide cultural network—including Naijazz, CORA, LABAF, Culture Advocates Caucus, Culture Dispatch, Showbiz Africa, WATZUP TV, Inspiration FM, Lasgidi FM, Smooth FM, and Bature Brewery, with Palm Arrak by Donitee reflecting what happens when collaboration becomes the backbone of culture.

More than a Festival Moment
Perhaps what set the LIJF 2026 Special Edition apart was its clarity of purpose: to honour legacy not as nostalgia, but as a living force. It reminded everyone present that Nigerian music did not begin with global acclaim, it began with documentation, resistance, experimentation, and voices like Benson Idonije who insisted those stories be told and preserved. As the night drew to a close, conversations lingered long after the final note that there was no sense of ending, only continuation