As part of efforts to promote the entertainment industry, the Ibadan Jazz Forum has continued to create a platform for young Jazz musicians to showcase their talent.

The IJF Chairman, Prof. Kunle Odumosu, told newsmen on the sidelines of a jazz concert in Ibadan on Saturday, that the efforts of the forum were to ensure that the potentials of the artistes were fully harnessed.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the concert, tagged ‘The Best of Ibadan City Jazz’, was organized by IJF in Ibadan.

Odumosu, a retired professor, said that the forum had, in the last 15 years, created a platform for jazz musicians to showcase their talents.

He recalled how he and his friends formed IJF several years back to promote jazz music and encourage young jazz musicians to showcase their talents.

“The Ibadan Jazz Forum, as an entity itself, started about 15 years ago. But before then, we have been meeting and arranging shows.

“The whole idea is to encourage young jazz musicians and also have more matured jazz listeners to meet once in a while. It is a way of showcasing their talents and encourage them,” he said.

The IJF boss said that the forum had, since its establishment, organized several shows through which many jazz musicians had gained prominence and stardom.

“I’ve had situations way back 20 years ago when we introduced one of our drummers to an American who came and he procured a visa for him to go to the US and play there.

“We have others who have also been playing within a short period. They have been doing fine. We have people from the Music Department of the University of Ibadan here displaying their talents,” he said.

He added that the resources used in the promotion of the event were from the contributions made by members of the forum.

NAN reports that the event featured a showcase of talents from several jazz artists, including a Jazz group from the Music Department of the University of Ibadan, popularly known as the UI Jazz Ensemble.

The event also featured special performances from young artists, among whom were Anjola Aboderin, Tunde Adeshina, Deolu Ogunsanya, Ayo Thomas, Daddy Kool and the mystery man, Morals.

NAN