By Oluwadamilola Akinduro

Seasoned saxophonist, Taiwo Owaniyi, popularly known as Brass Oracle, has expressed concern over the diminishing culture of live music in Nigeria, lamenting that many instrumentalists, including saxophonists, are being sidelined due to the increasing reliance on pre-recorded tracks.

Speaking with Friday Extravaganza, the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) graduate insisted that despite technological advancements, the saxophone remains an essential instrument, particularly in southwestern Nigeria.

“The saxophone is still very much in use. In fact, it is one of the most popular woodwind instruments today. Legendary musicians like Orlando Julius and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti made it a significant part of their sound, and contemporary artistes continue to embrace it,” he said.

Brass Oracle, who drew inspiration from musical greats such as Lagbaja, Victor Olaiya, and Pastor Kunle Ajayi, revealed that his early days of learning the saxophone were shaped by rigorous study and dedication.

“I used to buy Pastor Kunle Ajayi’s albums just to analyse his techniques. One of his songs even helped me understand the principle of relativity in jazz. While at OAU, I would visit cafés to download and study the saxophone techniques of Lagbaja and Fela. Even though I have never met Pastor Kunle Ajayi, he remains a great inspiration to me,” he recounted.

However, the saxophonist bemoaned the growing trend of digital music production, which he said has significantly reduced the appreciation for live performances.

“Back in the day, live performances were the standard, providing financial stability for instrumentalists. But now, many events, including weddings and funerals, prefer DJs and pre-recorded tracks over live bands. This shift has made it difficult for instrumentalists to sustain themselves financially,” he lamented.

Brass Oracle also criticised the reliance on digital shortcuts, stating that many musicians no longer put in the effort required to master their craft.

“When I started learning the saxophone, it required years of dedicated practice. But today, many saxophonists barely practise for five hours a week. Even singers who refuse to rehearse simply rely on digital production, which stifles creativity. Music icons like Evi Edna Ogholi, King Sunny Ade, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, and Salawa Abeni recorded their music without shortcuts, yet today’s artistes are unwilling to put in the same effort,” he stated.

Despite these setbacks, the saxophonist remains optimistic that live instrumentation can be revived if all stakeholders, including musicians, instrumentalists, and audiences prioritise it.

“For live instrumentation to thrive again, musicians must dedicate time to refining their skills, while audiences must be willing to support them financially. There needs to be a collective effort to promote live music over digital shortcuts,” he concluded.

Brass Oracle remains steadfast in his belief that with the right support, live music and the saxophone will continue to hold their place in Nigeria’s evolving music scene.