Musically, his name is Amos Macroy. Though, not his real name, he is better known with that. A fantastic bassist that has played with the late Sonny Okosuns and France based Evi-Edina Edna Ogholi of Happy Birthday fame. Charles Okogene went in search of Macroy who is now with the “Seed of Abraham International Christian Centre -SAICC” and result of the search is this interview.
You were a member of Ja’stix that had ,Majek, Black Rice and others?
Very correct
What led to the formation of the band and how and when did it disband?
Majek Fashek and I started (musically) from the same Church in Benin. Along the line we started performing in musical programme such as “Music Panorama” on NTA Benin city.
Members of Ja’stix
Majek and Black O’Rice met at NTA Benin one day and they bonded straight away. Few days later I also met Black O’Rice at the premises of NTA Benin and we realised we had the same ideas, vision and drive about music and decided to form a band. That decision gave birth to “The RAMu”. R for Rice, A for Amos and M for Majek.
We became quite popular within the then Bendel State axis.
One thing led to another and we relocated to Lagos, met some great and fantastic musicians in persons of Charlie Fyneah, Sammie Samama and later George Orwell joined us.
Incorporating these guys into the band necessitated a change of name, that is how Ja’stix was born as a band.
Though, both Charlie Fyneah and Sammie Samama left the group along the way, we decided to stick with the name Ja’stix because it meant so much to us
I would say the band disbanded by early 1989
Tell us more about the band?
Ja’stix at a point became a source of inspiration to several Nigerian aspiring young musicians as our residence was always buzzing with different activities.
The likes of Ras Kimono, The Mandators, Boye “BG” Gbenro, Evi-Edna Ogholi and so many other artistes had to rely on Ja’stix for their recording.
Also Ja’stix remained the only band without a record but have performed on a “Reggae Sunsplash” tour. That was back in 1988 at TBS and Ogbe Stadium in Benin city.
In 1986 Ja’stix embarked on a self sponsored prison tour where we performed in some prisons like Kirikiri, Ikoyi Prison, Benin Prison etc.
We also did several national tours sponsored by “Sona Breweries” Golden Guinea Breweries” Aibtonia Promotions etc
With all modesty, I can say Ja’stix contributed in bringing reggae music to the fore front in Nigeria from the mid 1980’s
Unlike Majek, why did you not go solo?
I went solo, I was signed on to Tabansi Records where I released my first solo album “Cool ‘N’ Deadly
At a stage you played with Sunny Okosuns, Evi-Edna Ogoli. Tell us the experience of playing with the two outstanding acts.
I participated in all of Evi-Edna Ogholi’s recording both as instrumentalist and projects co-ordinator.
When she embarked on West Africa tour in 1989, I helped her put up a backing band together and travelled with the entourage as road manager.
I never performed live with her.
Sonny Okosuns:
Though I’ve known Sonny Okosuns for quite a while but I first worked with him in 1990 when i co-produced his monster hit album titled “Riot”.
Based on the outcome of the project Sonny Okosuns insisted I join his band and made me the band leader till he passed on to glory
You can’t talk about Evi-Edna Ogholi’s project’s without mentioning Emma Ogosi. After the recording of Evi-Edna Ogholi’s first album in 1986 we became very close family friends till date.
Sonny Okosuns; wooow. He was an enigma, a father, friend and much more. Never a dull moment with him
All i have is great memories working with Sonny Okosuns, Evi-Edna Ogholi / Emma Ogosi
You left active music for the the vineyard of God; tell us the experience.
I left music partially, not fully.
I am still a practitioner, though not as elaborate as I used to.
It is rumoured that you are in the studio, cooking up sound with Black Rice, it true?
Hahahaha, who let the cat out of the bag ? Well, yes. Black O’Rice is currently working on his album and I am playing a part
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