Nigerian legend Rex Lawsons Mayors Band reform for festival

The great musician's he left behind after his death in 1971, themselves went on to become legends in their individual careers. Names like Raphael Amarabem, leader of the Peacocks Guitar Band of Owerri, Prince David Bull, leader of the Professional Seagulls and trumpeter King Sunny Brown, kept the flag of Highlife flying. Sadly many of these men, including Amarabem and Bull, as well as other notables like bassist Alika, saxophonist, Boma Bonny and original virtuoso guitarist Paul Okongwu, all passed away as the years progressed.

A core of some his finest still remain however, in the person of the exceptionally talented Tony Odili, Lawson's Conga player and described by many, as one of the finest Conga players in Africa. Isaac Onote, Lawson's original Rhythm Guitarist, King Sunny Brown (referred to above) and Victor Uzowulu, a latter day Bass session-man. The big news being that these great veterans are reforming in 2015, to pay tribute to the memory of Rex Lawson and to promote the Highlife legacy in the 21st century. The first performance being at the traditional Ito Ogbo Festival at Obosi, Anambra State in Nigeria. The Festival, held every three years in the 300 year old Kingdom of Obosi, features hundreds of bands and traditional dance troupes, to celebrate the entry of the town's octogenarians, into a revered society of elder's, called the 'Ogbueshi's'.

The core of the reformed Mayor's Band, shall feature the 86-year old Tony Odili, 75-year old Isaac Onote, 73-year old Sunny Brown and 72-year old Victor Uzowulu. As well as a supporting cast of new entrantes like veteran artistes, like drummer Eddie Offeyi (formerly of the Christie Essien Goldtrain Orchestra, Headzfunk and 1960's combo the MV-Esstones), Congolese saxophonist, Papa Tyno Batangisa (formerly of Abeti Massikini, Abeba Lepordou and Tabu Ley's Afrisa) and guitarist, Felix 'Feladey' Odey (formerly of Headzfunk, Akwassa and the Funkees).

Huge interest has been generated in music circles by this hugely anticipated reformation and is said to be one of the most important Highlife music events in many years. Since the last reformation of the band, in 2001, as part of the old Elder's Forum Highlife series. Music In Africa, has as usual, stolen a march by obtaining an exclusive interview with the legends, which shall be published in our features section shortly. We shall also be covering the concert at the Festival, scheduled to hold on Saturday, 14 March 2015.