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Femi Koya is the new face of the African Renaissance. Combining Afrobeat and jazz, gospel and blues, West African highlife with a nostalgic Sophiatown flavour, his music is a rich blend of deep and sultry jazz and contemporary groove. His music is urban and urbane. His life’s journey - a story of migration to the South - resonates in his music, which creates a conscious dialogue between West African and South African sounds. This musical fusion demonstrates the path to a new and culturally integrated Africa in which a common heritage is renewed and reshaped to meet the needs of today's world. Femi Koya’s debut album “Just in Newtown” is evidence of the rich melodies that result from this fusion. Through his versatility on the saxophone, he breathes new life into African world music. He is also an arranger, a producer and a songwriter. His love for music began when as a child, he danced around the village when the traditional drummers played in his father's compound in Akio town, Ikorodu Lagos Nigeria in the 80s. He then started playing trumpet as a choir member in his local church. He dabbled in the piano. But he soon discovered that his first love was for the saxophone. His influences include Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Manu di Bango, Hugh Masekela, Salif Keita, and his elder brother, Kola Ogunkoya He has played in the presence of all-time greats, including John Legend in his first South African tour in Cape Town. He has shared the stage with Youss ou N’dour and Yvonne Chaka Chaka at the CAF (Confederation of African Football Awards) 2009 in Lagos. He performed alongside the king of Juju music, Sunny Ade, at the Glo launch in the Republic of Benin. Other colourful festivals such as the Calabar festival in Nigeria have felt Olufemi's hypnotic music, where he performed alongside the late, great Lucky Dube. The highlights of his career include performing at the Crowning of Miss World 2008 in Johannesburg, at the FIFA Confederation Cup Draw in 2008, at the CAF awards in Accra, Ghana in 2010, at the Afrophonie concert at the Bassline in 2010, at the Pan African Arts and Craft exhibition (PACE) in 2010. He was proud to honour Africa’s heroes by playing at the 50th year celebration of 17 African countries at the Pan African Parliament, in Midrand in oct 2010 He has been a willing supporter of the Haiti Campaign spearheaded by the National Department of Arts and Culture, performing live on SABC TV in April 2010 and composing a song devoted to the Haitian people. In recent months, he interests have further extended into the African Diaspora, with performances together with Afroflamenco groups from Spain in Johannesburg and for the Cubans in celebration of Africa Day. In 2009 he participated in the Joy of Jazz as one of the Nigerian all stars. This is the African renewal in action, a flowering through a passion for music and the power of culture.

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Here is a multi-talented young man who has more than paid his due to achieve his status that he so deserves. Femi Koya is one of the finest, amazing saxophonist who is ready to make Africa proud by combining his west African sound with the Southern African sound, creating his own unique style which he calls world Afrobeat. Femi currently lives in Johannesburg , South Africa where he performs with his band. Femi Koya’s debut album “JUST IN NEWTON is out now. Acknowledging music as a life-giver ,food for the soul, Femi concluded saying “MUSIC IS LIFE”. It all started when he was a kid, he dances around the village when the traditional drummers play in his father's compound in Akio town, Ikorodu Lagos Nigeria in the very early 80's. He started playing trumpet as a choir member in his local church. At the age of 24, he turns professional in his country ( Nigeria ). Amongst other styles of music, Afro beat, Highlife,blues,world, and Jazz is Femi's preference; he plays for the love, power and energy of music. The multi-talented musician sings and play all brass / wind instrument and piano. Great musicians like Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Manu di Bango, Hugh Masekela, Salif Keita, Kola Ogunkoya and some other Jazz fathers have influenced his musicianship. His relocation to South Africa is a step to a dream fulfillment. After playing with renowned musicians both in West and Southern African, he created a style of music he calls “world afrobeat” with the element of Afro beat, Reggae, Mbaqanga, Jazz and Highlife. He is not only a Saxophonist, but also a song writer,arranger and a producer. Femi Koya has a nine piece big band for festivals, 4-5 piece for small events, he also performs as trio, duet and as a solo artist. Sky is the starting point of Femi Koya MUSICAL STYLE His musical style, birthed in the influences of pioneers such as Manu Di Bango, Fela Kuti, Bob Marley Hugh Masekela,Gbedu master and James Brown, is an olla podidra of what he himself terms as a world African beat sound. This is a unique and rich blend of the Afro beat, West African highlife and a twist of the nostalgic Sophia Town flavour, deep and sultry jazz beats and contemporary groove. His music is a true reflection of a new and culturally integrated Africa. PERFORMANCES This genius has been evident in the way he has overwhelmed audiences with his sound to music spot and restaurant audiences in places such as blues room, Moyo's ,Kippies ,bassline ,and Shivava café in Newtown. It is not uncommon to witness people abandoning their meals to gape with heads tilted in admiration as a fiery, femi passionately serenades them out of their daily stressful demands.He has graced big concert stages alongside, John Legend in his first tour in Capetown,shared stage with Youssou ndour, Queen of Africa Chaka Chaka at the CAF 2009 in Lagos,performing right beside the king of Juju music,king Sunny Ade at the Glo lauch in the Republic of Benin,stood tall among South Africa 's greats at the Johnny Walker's Pioneering Spirits of Jazz were being honoured by their own and left high flying audiences at the Luxurious Safari Madikwe lodge gasping for more. Other colourful festivals such as the Calabar festival in Nigeria have felt femi's hypnotic music, right up there alongside one of South Africa 's great sons. Lucky Dube. Even famed American shaggy has been in the presence of this young sensation. femi recently performed at the following event 1. Crowning of Miss World 2008, Johannesburg, South Africa. 2. Globacom Launch in Benin Republic, 2008. 3. Nigerian Vice President Welcome Dinner, Pretoria, South Africa. 2008 4. Johannebsurg City & Tourism Show, Johannesburg, South Africa. 2008 5. FIFA Confederation Cup Draw, Sandton, South Africa. 2008. 6. (CAF) Confederation of African Football Awards, Lagos, Nigeria. 2009 7. NEPAD Summit, Sandton, South Africa. 2009 8. Rebranding of Brandy Smooth Event, Cape Town, Durban & Johannesburg, 2009. 9.Joy of jazz (Nigerian all stars)2009 10.johannesburg food and wine festival,zoo lake 2009 11,CAF(confederations of African Football)awards,accra Ghana,march 2010 12. Haitti Campaign,national department of art and culture,Sandton April 2010 13 Afrophonie 2010,African synergy and institut’ Francais D’Afrique du sud,bassline,newtown ,south Africa ,april 2010 14,Cuban Embassy,African day Celebration,May 2010,Pretoria.south Africa 15 Afroflamenco in johoannesburg-Soweto,Embassy of Spain June 2010 16 windybrow theatre,2010 Gauteng Artist line up.south Africa june 2010 17Emoyeni African experience line up,june 2010 18 Pace 2010,Pan African art and craft exhibitions,art and culture june 2010 19 50th year celebration of the Pan African Parliament,midrand south Africa.oct 2010 PERSONALITY Femi is always flexible, set and in touch with his audience whether it is in a nine piece band for huge crowds or intimate gatherings with his five piece band. Here is an obvious pioneer in a new African era, where Africans are regaining their pride and the renaissance is becoming a reality. This may be a first mention of him and for sure, if one does not see him, they will surely hear of him, a country away. (read less)