Olufemi Sanyaolu- Keziah Jones

Have you heard of Olufemi Sanyaolu? I thought not, but have you hard of Keziah Jones? Probably more likely.

Keziah Jones is the alter ego for one of the UKs most talented Guitarists and Singers,whose hits Rhythm is Love, Million Miles from Home and Liquid Sunshine propelled him into recognition in the 90s and of which he still enjoys a huge Cult following in the UK, Europe and increasingly in the USA.

I was at a small African gig in Kilburn, when this skinny, fella in a sleeveless T-shirt and Fedora walked in with my friend Sax Player Ayo Ordia and incidentally at the same time I was doing a Fela Kuti song, when I recognised him, we adapted the song to his hit "Rhythm is Love" which was the signal for the brother to jump on stage and belt the song through, no airs no graces and ceremony- true class! We had a long chat later about his plans and lost touch till I went to his gig at the Jazz Cafe in 2003, which was packed to the rafters and which left even me hardened Gig-head open-mouthed, I wondered how he packed so much kinetic energy into that wiry frame.

Born in Nigeria to a Millionaire Industrialist dad, he was sent to Public school in the UK atthe age of 8, but by the time he approached his teens, he got bored still with the whole grind ("I had to find a way out of all that bullshit, and music was it!") and taught himself to play the Piano and Guitar and whilst still in his early teens threw himself into the Gig and Busking circuit of London and Paris ("Lose all time, love your mind, free your soul!") . There he was discovered by Phil Picket and signed up to a record deal, where his first major hit album Blufunk is a Fact was recorded. Just in case youre in any doubt this guy was a Hippy through and through.

Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Sly Stone and by Fela Kuti, his trademark high energy Guitar riffs and incredibly vast and sweet voice/range.texture make his live shows an experience in themselves.

Critically acclaimed for his incredibly complex Guitar phrases and high energy delivery (vocal and Instrumental) his albums are a collectors item all over the world for true afficionadoes of Alternative Funk and Indie Rock.

Also a Poet and Photographer, he has in more recent times spent his time in the USA pursuing his art quietly and from the look for things enjoying himself thoroughly as only "Rugged International"- (his nickname) is capable. His last album "Black Orpheus" enjoyed mixed reviews but he is still a favourite on the touring circuit and I remember being barely able to get a ticket for his show at the Jazz Cafe.

More recently we have been back in touch again on Facebook, where he quietly hides under his real name. Im still trying to convince him to work on the Fatai Rolling Dollar Funk album, who knows?

I strongly recommend a visit to his website http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=13793651.

Also heres a link to his Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kKZxbgBL68