MIKE AREMU Biography

Mike Aremu can easily be seen as one of the frontrunners of
world-class saxophone players but what sets this distinguished musician apart
is ability to draw from traditional Nigerian sounds to create a sound that
represents both creative-passion and his culture.

Growing up in the state of Niger, Nigeria (West Africa), and
his musical interest started from the age of eight where in Church each child
was encouraged in playing a musical instrument, from there with some basic
lessons and determination by 1995 he decided to make the full transition and
concentrate solely on the Saxophone. The following year, he joined House on the
Rock’s music team playing alongside the likes of Sammie Okposo, Agboola
Shadare, Abiodun Akhigbe, Victor James, Gbenga Owoeye Wise and others. At about
this time, Mike was also playing with the Compassion Band of the Strong Tower
Mission. As his confidence grew so did his reputation as a charismatic
musician. This resulted in a stream of appearances at such venues in Nigeria as Pintos, The Green Lion, Club Towers,
K’s Place and Mega
Plaza’s Dome. Demand for
his talent came in thick and fast with Mike completing session work for Onyeka
Onwenu, Ras Kimono, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, Kingsley Ike and Olufunmi to
mention a few.

The next step in Mike’s career was signing a record deal
with Kennis Music Label, Nigeria’s largest record label, through which he
released two chart-topping albums “Dance” (1999) and “No Shaking” (2002)
shifting a combined total of more than 1.5 million copies. He has also recorded
two songs for the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) in the United States.

Nowadays Mike spends a considerable amount of time
travelling and performing at venues across the world. To date he has played
alongside notable international artists like Kenny G, Hugh Masakela, Najee,
Kirk Franklin, Marvin Winans, Ron Kenoly, Mary Mary and Adlan Cruz. 

He appeared
at the John F Kennedy Centre, Washington
DC’s main concert arena. He has
also made considerable progress in Europe, in particular the UK where he has performed in two of London’s principle music
venues The Barbican and Ocean as part of the annual Awesome Praise concerts. He
has also played at Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), the UK’s
largest Pentecostal Church and many of the branches of Redeemed Christian
Church of God (RCCG) one of the world’s largest chains of Nigerian-based Church
networks.

Performing before mega crowd is quite becoming normal to
Mike. Most recent of these remarkable performances were the EXPERIENCE 2006 and
2007 ; with the ’07 EXPERIENCE attracting a crowd of over 300,000 at the Tafawa
Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.
Mike Aremu also performed at the London Festival of Life (FOL) an event that
was attended by over 40,000 people at the Excel Centre, London. This event took place in March 28th,
2008. The Green Belt festival was also a part of a major feat for his music
career as he performed to a 30,000 audience with about 90% Caucasian.

As part of his high demand from his fans across the world,
he put together a debut concert to crown his four month tour in the United Kingdom
at the famous and prestigious jazz café October 2008, an event which sold out
and made history as one of the few Africans to ever make such landmark.

Mike is the convener of the biggest jazz concert in Nigeria, Sax Appeal, a concept which is geared
towards the rebirth and promotion of live musical performances in Nigeria. Also
as an objective, to create a platform for interaction between Sponsoring
Organization, Corporate Executives and Entrepreneurs coming together under an
entertainment friendly environment. Sax Appeal has featured renowned artists
like Kenny G, Judith Sephuma, Kunle Ayo, Yolanda Brown, Agboola Shadare, Yinka
Davis, Tosin Martins, Bez, Cobhams, Waje and many more.