Grammy Award Winner set to perform live in Lagos this April.

Lagos comes alive as jazz, fashion and culture take centre stage at the biggest jazz event this April. Runway Jazz is a harmonic fusion of the classy worlds of jazz, fashion and fine dining; an expression of the arts, designed to showcase our proudly Nigerian (and African) culture, music talents and products to all around the world, in celebration of the International Jazz Day.

Headlining this maiden edition is American Grammy award-winner, Kirk Whalum, who represents a unique class of artistes with a rich repertoire of sounds including Pop, Gospel, R&B, Smooth Jazz, Instrumental Pop, Quiet Storm, Urban and Contemporary Jazz music, amongst others. He will share the stage with some of Naija’s finest entertainers including Omawumi, Yinka Davies, Tosin Alao, the host band, Sweet Sound and many others.

Celebrated since November 2011, the International Jazz Day (IJD) is a global initiative that highlights Jazz music for its diplomatic role in uniting nations. Each year on April 30, this international art form is recognized for promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human rights and human dignity; eradicating discrimination; promoting freedom of expression; fostering gender equality; and reinforcing the role of youth in enacting social change. This is the mandate of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), chaired by Director General, Irina Bokova, and legendary pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, who serves as a UNESCO Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue and Chairman of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.

As Nigeria’s contribution to the global celebration of Jazz, Runway Jazz is scheduled to hold over 2 days - April 29 and 30, 2016 at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre, Victoria Island, with a line-up of activities including a Jazz Concert & Fashion exhibition, Music Masterclass and Fine Dining. It will also serve as a platform to recognise some of Nigeria's greatest music icons - Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Victor Olaiya, and Victor Uwaifo - whose achievements on Africa's music landscape have made them exemplary ambassadors of Nigerian Music and symbols of our cultural heritage. 

Tickets are available online at www.runway-jazz.com; Afritickets and Naijaticketshop. Regular: N10, 000 | VIP: N30, 000 | VVIP: N1, 000, 000. For enquiries, please contact 07062340010, 07058347492 or email runwayjazz@gmail.com