SOPHIATOWN – Imagine finding something you are completely enamoured with at 13-years-old and knowing from then on this was something you wanted to do, perfect and find glory in for the rest of your life.
This was the case for Nigerian-born bassist Amaeshi Ikechi, who, along with his quintet, will perform a live recording concert at the Trevor Huddleston CR Memorial Centre on 9 June. They form a typical jazz ensemble made up of Marcus Wyatt on trumpet, Sisonke Xonti on the tenor saxophone, David Cousins on piano and Peter Auret on drums. But, who is Ikechi, and why has his life been about that bass?
He grew up around music, church music specifically, as his family was part of the choir. Music came to his life as a life-line from God when he was a depressed little boy. “I remember going to cry by myself in seclusion as I felt a strong sense of incompetence and failure in everything I tried to do,” he said.
From school work to playing with other children, it was so bad for him that he would constantly hear a voice in his head saying he is useless. That all changed for him when he got his hands on the bass, he felt differently and spent time trying to learn it. This marked the end of his childhood depression and he has kept playing all these years because of the joy he gets and gives through it.
It was hard for the Ferndale resident to figure out the exact age he fell in love with music, he just recalls whimsically using plates as drums as a child. What he is sure of though is that he had no reservations about his craft and use of instruments because, as he so poignantly put it, “You can’t fear something that gave you an identity.”
His love for music has only regenerated over the years and will never tire or wane as it is what he excels in and does so effortlessly. He knows people who have put in more work than he does, however, he is steadfast in the knowing he was born with this gift and that God has kept the fire burning within him and, as such, he will never stop loving it.
Ikechi has found inspiration in every artist he has had the privilege to work with in one way or another. “Simply by observing their strengths and weaknesses and how they get them to come into balance.”
Ultimately, he draws most of his strength from his faith as a Christian and the knowledge of his purpose for living. When the going gets tough, it’s Gods words that form a strong anchor and they have never failed him.
Along with the double bass he also plays the electric bass. He sees the bass as being the anchor of any music, “It is the pillar that holds all the parts of any style of music together. Such responsibility given to me when I play in any band, gives me so much joy when I play well,” adding he determines if the music swings or grooves which he finds so cool.
With the current state of the world and country, therapy in all its healthy forms is needed. Ikechi believes that if there was ever a need for music therapy, musicians like he were born for that very purpose. The theme of the music for his concert is hope. “The fact that the music was written during lockdown and are now being performed, I am saying to everyone to keep there hope alive, have faith and know that things can turn around for good, if you won’t just throw the towel in.”
Through his music he has travelled to most parts of Southern African and parts of West and Central Africa. One of is best experiences while performing was travelling and performing with Miriam Makeba, who was affectionately known as Mama Africa, when he was 23-yeaes-old. “At that point, I knew that there are no limits to how far I could go.”
Young musicians out there, Ikechi implores you to see past your ability of playing a instrument, “They should instead see their skills through who they hope to become and are becoming, in the process of time.”
