Monday, July 29, 2013

Celebrating Great Musicians | JERRY OMOLE


JERRY OMOLE is a Lagos-Nigeria based multi-instrumentalist, an internationally acclaimed musician, a motivational speaker and a workshop/seminar facilitator, who decided to major on the saxophone over twelve (12) years ago.  
He was taught how to play the Recorder at the age of six (6). He started playing the Harmonica at the age of seven (7) and picked up the Trumpet at the age of nine (9). His success began at an early age of ten (10) years when he won the Kogi State Boy’s Brigade “Best Trumpeter” award. 

Jerry started his first musical band “Royal International Band” (RIB) from where he proceeded to the University of Ilorin to study Electrical Engineering. This was a training ground for Jerry as well as a means of brandishing his talents.

He became the Christian Union music director (1999-2002) where he produced two of their albums “Altar of Praise” and the award winning “Glory of the Later House”. He also started the most famous JAZZ band on campus; (LIP) and it’s music academy (LIPMA).

Jerry picked up the saxophone in January 2002 and released his AMEN award winning maiden album titled ”Dancing Time” in September 2002. Several awards of different categories have been awarded to Jerry. These include; Best Instrumentalist of the year, (ELT award), Best Use of Instruments, (RTC award), Best Arrangement, (TLB) etc.

Jerry moved to Abuja after school In 2003 and went into music as a full time endeavor. He also started his dynamic band “THE SEEKERS” which within the space of seven (7) months took over the whole region with their unique fusion of Jazz and vocals in both Contemporary, Gospel and African genres
Over the years, Jerry and his band have been known for their versatile and creative ways of delivering various genres of music ranging from Jazz (Contemporary/African), R&B, Gospel, Old School Jams, Naija jams, Highlife, etc.    


In 2008, Jerry felt the need to take on a bigger territory and this led to his relocation to Lagos. Being in Lagos brought him in close working relationship with most Naija famous indigenous artistes and producers ranging from Lagbaja, MI, Cobhams, Asa, Duncan Mighty, Timaya, ID Kabassa, Wole Oni, Wole Adesanya etc to Midnight Crew, Infinity, Lara George, Kenny Kore, Tosin Marthins, Frank Edwards, Rooftop MCs, Jahdiel, Timi Dakolo, Omawumi, Nathaniel Bassey etc  

Band composition: The band features in various capacities as occasion demands. These include:
Duet : Lead sax and piano/keyboard (programming). (2 piece)
Quartet : Lead sax, drums, keyboard and bass. (4 piece)
Quintet : Lead sax, drums, keyboard, bass and guitar/backup horns. (5 piece)
Octet : Lead sax, drums, keyboard, bass, guitar/backup horns , 3 backup vocals. (8 piece)
Full Band : This includes an ‘’octet’ with full horns and percussion session.

PERFORMANCES
Over the years Jerry Omole and the SEEKERS have played at different kinds of events including:
Corporate Events
British Airways, First Bank Plc, Dulux, Microsoft, Stanbic, IGI, Eko Atlantic, Access Bank, MTN, Total, Red Saphire etc
Government Functions
Aso Villa Annual Carol service, Rivers, Lagos and Bayelsa states Annual Thankgiving programme, Cross River State Carnival (with Panam Percy Paul & Ron Kenoly), Delta State Governor’s 25th Wedding Anniversary (February 2013) etc.
Jazz Events
MUSON Jazz Festival, Lagos Int’l Jazz festival, Jazz in the Manger etc.
Tours
Jerry Omole plays with the legendary Dr. Panam Percy Paul’s world famous band with whom he travels across  various African countries.


Jerry also worked with the world famous Ron Kenoly’s band with whom he toured across various African nations on two separate occasions (2007 & 2011); this further gave him more insight into international musicianship and ethics.


Other international artistes Jerry has been privileged to work with include: Lionel Peterson, Alvin Slaughter, Don Moen, Late lucky Dube, Chester Thomson, Adlan Cruz, Tom Brooks, Patrice Floyd (one of America’s finest violinist) and Najee just to mention a few.


In recent times, Jerry began to tour the world as an artiste in his own right with some of his band members, his music is so compelling and electrifying that they have visited some of these countries on more than two occasions. Few amongst these countries include: the South Africa, UK, Berlin, Sweden, Norway, Latvia, Netherlands, Denmark, Holland, Slovakia, Turkey etc.
At the time of this writing, Jerry and his team were currently booked for a US and Canadian tour. 

Albums
Jerry has four albums to his credit viz:
DANCING TIME (2002)
ENDLESS PRAISE (2005)
REAL WORSHIP (2013) 
HYMNS & SEASONS (2015)

On the 8th of September 2012 Jerry took his pretty jewel, Queen Iyobosa Omole to the altar in marriage and they are now both blessed with two boys, Jesse-Patrick Omole and David-Praise Omole.

Contact details
Name: Mr Jerry Omole
Address: The Dome, End of Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, Nigeria.
Telephone: +234 803 649 5921; +2348023017181; +2348030950911
Twitter : @jerryomole

10 comments:

  1. Phew! What a human!! What A Life! This piece is great inspiration for me, though we're not near the same field I've been blessed by it. God bless you too Mr. Bayor.

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  2. You are my role model sir, I pray more grace sir.... falola oluwaseun

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  3. I like your tone and inspiration.

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  4. Sir you are very good in what you do.
    Please as an up coming saxophonist too, i beg you to bless me. I really want to be like you sir.

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  5. You've been a great inspiration to me,sir.You have shown me that consistency is the mark of true champions. CJ-Asaba

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  6. Sir, am really inspired and admired with your wonderful performance I want you to bless me too so that I can be elevated as I began sax training school. Please sir do you also have your training school in abuja? If no, link me up to any training school that you know in Abuja. Omotugba .D.

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    Replies
    1. Check out:
      Leftob Music Academy, 2ND FLOOR, UPPER GRACE PLAZA PLOT 217, SHETTIMA MUNGUNO CRESCENT, UTAKO, ABUJA
      (BEHIND JULIUS BERGER EQUIPMENT yard)

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    2. LEFTOB MUSIC ACADEMY, 2ND FLOOR, UPPER GRACE PLAZA, PLOT 217, SHETTIMA MUNGUNO CRESCENT, UTAKO, ABUJA
      (BEHIND JULIUS BERGER EQUIPMENT YARD)

      Delete
  7. Wow!!! So inpiring. More Grace Sir.. I would love to be under your mentorship sir.

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