In January this year “The Secret Place” initiated by BJ’s brothers, Olumuyiwa and Olaolu Majekodunmi (The Majeks Brothers!) officially took off. It had run experimentally for about a year but January was its formal launch. Unfortunately, about two weeks into the month, precisely on January 14th, we got a letter advising us (or me?) to quit the house as they wish to put it up for sale.
21 Majaro Street, Akoka, Yaba
‘The Last Tango:
Jazzville Meets Praiseville. The Secular Meets The Sacred
Saturday, 25th April | 5.30 – 11.30 Pm
IN the next couple of weeks l shall be exiting the place that was home to JazzVille… and later PraiseVille.
A sad loss but that’s life! Isn’t it?
New owners are taking over the place having been sold to them, though not my wish. Some members of the family in their finite wisdom… and understanding thought it best to ‘’carve up‘’ the house and sell it to whoever was willing to… who in turn will probably have the intention of tearing it down in due course and of course erect a modern edifice devoid of spirit and concrete manifestation of present day thought without regard, or respect of history.
But then let’s cast all emotions aside.
Life is a state of flux. Nothing is constant, everything must change, nothing stays the same the song goes
Sobo Sowemimo’s post in face book a few days ago highlighted a brutal and bitter and shooting-from-the-hip truth. I share here with his permission:
“Nothing belongs to us. Nothing.
Someone once believed they owned the very land on which your house now stands because they held all the titles to it. Yet today, their descendants walk past it without the faintest clue that it once belonged to their blood—ancestors they themselves may never even know they are connected to.
Sometime in the future, another family—completely unrelated to you—will lock their gates and live securely in their home on that same land where you and your family have built yours today. They will have no inkling who you were, or whether you ever lived there, let alone owned it.
It is silent, pretending to be helpless – yet the ground witnesses all. It is going nowhere. We are the tenants, packing in and packing out, never truly owning any part of it – anything at all. — Ṣobọ Sowemimo.
It was this short, precise and most realistic write -up that acted as a catalyst to what I am sharing
21 Majaro Street is probably one of the oldest and most popular residences on the street.
It was home to the famous JazzVille which I founded in January 1990.
100s of now famous musicians and comedians cut their teeth and honed their skills on JazzVille’s stage over the years. They know themselves… and some of you do too!
JazzVille eventually evolved into PraiseVille in 2005. PraiseVille was NOT a church as such, in the real sense of the word. I described it as a “CLURCH’ – acombination of Club and Church. It was created to have the same vibe and spirit of Jazzville where God could be praised and worshipped in spontaneity, freedom and wholesome creative expression.
In January this year “The Secret Place” initiated by BJ’s brothers, Olumuyiwa and Olaolu Majekodunmi (The Majeks Brothers!) officially took off. It had run experimentally for about a year but January was its formal launch. Unfortunately, about two weeks into the month, precisely on January 14th, we got a letter advising us (or me?) to quit the house as they wish to put it up for sale.
Muyiwa Majekodunmi… Founder/Head of the Jazzville Family
Long story cut short yours truly and family will be out of the house by May as I am informed that the new owners insist on taking over. Where we are going God knows! Haha! That song by Osibisa resonates loudly: “We are going, Heaven knows where are going, we know we are. We will get there, we know we will get there …we know we will. It will be hard we know and the road will be muddy and rough but we’ll get there….”
Right now, I am in a’ Hebrews 11:8’ state of mind.
The Majeks Brothers in the next couple of weeks will be hosting one last night of performances and reminisces on the grounds before the caterpillars move in to bring it down.
The Special Evening is themed: ‘The Last Tango: Jazzville Meets Praiseville. The Secular Meets The Sacred
Date: Saturday, 25th April
Time: 5.30 – 11.30 Pm
It will feature a plethora of artistes and performers who have graced the venues stage
We also hope to use the event as an opportunity to raise funds for “Relocation Resources Support’’.
If you were part of history of PraiseVille and JazzVille evolution and you would like to participate or support do get in touch…OR we will try to reach as many of you as we can.
It is major historical event heralding the final closure of a home and venue that influenced so many lives which you dare not miss!
Look forward to hearing from you!
Flashback
Further Reading: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/07/muyiwa-majekodunmi-revives-jazzvilles-magic/
