Justin Adjirakor, widely known as ‘Saxman Justyn’, is a London-based saxophonist and co-founder of Impact Next Gen, an organisation advancing the education of children in deprived communities of Ghana. To mark World Music Day this year, we caught up with Justin to find out the motivation behind his art.
Do you remember the moment you first fell in love with music?
I don’t remember a particular time when I fell in love with music, but I have always enjoyed it right from an early age. My dad played classical music on Sundays and jazz on Saturday mornings, as well as in the car to school and back, so I guess that is what sparked my interest.
What does it take to be a great saxophonist?
It takes a reasonable amount of consistent practice — if possible, daily. In addition, being a good listener is important. You learn a lot just by critical listening, paying attention to details and learning how to manage time. It also teaches discipline and not cutting corners. This quote by John Maxwell is something I believe in deeply: “A man’s success is determined by his daily routine.”
My mission is to touch, uplift, encourage, and give the world hope through music, and help people discover their purpose in life.
Who are the musicians that most inspire you?
The musicians that have inspired me are Grover Washington (of blessed memory), Kenny G, and 80s bands such as Kool and the Gang, The Temptations and Commodores to name a few.
What is your ultimate mission as an artist and entertainer?
My mission is to touch, uplift, encourage, and give the world hope through music, and to help people discover their purpose in life. Because of that, I value every opportunity to share my gift. Still, I relish the fact that I get invited from time to time to attend high-profile events (such as the African Leadership Network conference) to entertain. Through these experiences, I have met some great and influential people.
Musicians are carriers of influence, whether we intend to be or not.
What do you hope to achieve through music?
I hope to leave the world a better place than I found it.
What role do you think the arts and music can play in today’s world?
Arts and music already play an important role in shaping society. Musicians are carriers of influence, whether we intend to be or not. Music speaks to people, and we need to be careful about what messages we put out there through our music, as it has a way of shaping and influencing the next generation. For instrumentalists like myself, I would say our style of music has an emotional impact on people. Our music sets moods and creates atmospheres, be it at weddings, church services, conferences or funerals. Musicians have the mandate and power to change the world through music, and having that awareness drives you to be more intentional with what you create or play.
The pandemic has been a particularly tough time for musicians and performing artists. How have you managed to get through this period? Has it brought any new lessons to your life?
For me, the negative effects of the global pandemic have been the loss of some people I know as well as the loss of earnings. However, the positive effects have come through solitude, the opportunity for reflection and personal growth, the growth of my online presence, and particularly the opportunity to spend quality time with my family.
If you had to choose one song as the soundtrack for The Room, what would it be?
“Heal the World” by Michael Jackson.
Check out Saxman Justyn’s YouTube channel for funky jazz tunes.
