Colchester saxophonist Mike Aremu to host Sax in the Manger

Mike Aremu, 49, has lived in Colchester for eight years and is a recording artist, saxophonist and singer songwriter originally from Nigeria.

Ever since his childhood, Mr Aremu has been “into music” and originally preferred playing the trumpet.

He is also able to play keyboard, drums, and bass guitar.

The songwriter came across the saxophone on a TV advert at nine years old, and after moving to Lagos a few years later, he was given the chance to use one for the first time.

Musician - Mike Aremu (Image: Mike Aremu) According to Mr Aremu, it only took him “four days” to learn the saxophone and he instantly fell in love with the instrument.

He said: “When I grew up in Nigeria, the saxophone wasn’t an instrument you would come across easily.

“I learned the saxophone in four days, I had played every instrument, the day I had the opportunity, I found it was a lifetime opportunity, I took the saxophone home.

“People didn’t know it was my first time playing the instrument when I performed with it."

After signing a record deal to the Nigerian label Kennis Music in 1999, the artist produced two albums, Dance in 1999 and No Shaking in 2002, which sold a total just shy of 2million copies.

Performing - Mike Aremu and his band at the Copper Box Arena in Stratford this year (Image: Mike Aremu) From then onwards, Mr Aremu continued to build up his reputation as a saxophonist and performed at venues across the globe.

He has even performed with the likes of Kenny G who called him a “saxophone legend”, India Arie, Hugh Masakela, Najee, Bill Laurance, Kirk Franklin, Marvin Winans, Israel Houton, Mary Mary, Fred Harmond and more.

In the UK, Mr Aremu has performed at prestigious venues like The Barbican in London.

Famous - (left to right) American saxophonist Kenny G and Mike Aremu together before the Sax Appeal concert in Lagos, 2011 (Image: Mike Aremu) He said: “I have family here, I have been touring the UK since 2000, I have played at venues like The Barbican in London, jazz cafes, and many festivals.

“I also play functions and events, where I play old and contemporary music.”

Now having lived in Colchester for almost a decade, in his spare time, Mr Aremu has been giving back and visiting care homes and performing for their elderly residents.

He has worked with Agewell East and performed in care homes like Alderwood Care Home, Colne House, and Beacon House.

Giving back - Mike Aremu performing in Colchester at the Town Hall in 2022 (Image: Mike Aremu) Through this charitable work, this is how Mr Aremu’s first Sax in the Manger event occurred, a concert he put on for care home residents in Colchester in 2022.

He said: “Two years ago, I started questioning being in Colchester, I thought about what I could do in my community, I go to London for rehearsals three to four times a week, I travel around the world playing my music.

“But Colchester is home for me, I thought I should be able to do something around here.

“I thought about how to give back to my immediate community, I wanted to do something for the seniors in the community.

“I lost my dad about 30 years ago and then my mum in 2020, I’ve always wanted to help older people.

“I thought I should do a concert for the benefit of older people and the homeless.”

Now, Mr Aremu is gearing up for the second Sax in the Manger event which will take place at Kingsland Church, in London Road, on December 6.

Event - the poster for Sax in the Manger two (Image: Mike Aremu) After doors open at 6.30pm, there will be live music from Mr Aremu and his band, a choir, and more between 7.30pm to 10pm.

Tickets cost £10 and can be purchased here.

This time round, the Sax in the Manger event is for everyone, and the saxophonist is promising a fun night for gig-goers.

He said: “People will not have seen anything like this in Colchester, as I am passionate – it is an evening of fun, jazz, and a Christmas feeling

“It will talk about what Christmas means, I will be having a choir from Frinton, I will be performing with my full band – it is going to be amazing

“People will get more than they bargain for.

“I can’t wait for people to see, I am excited to see people are already getting tickets, the band has been rehearsing, I can’t wait to share that music, energy, and spirit of the Christmas season.”

To find out more about Mike Aremu, visit mikearemuvision.co.uk.