Akeem Burke – Sax Appeal

Whether or not you know this face of who many may consider to be a charming young man, we take great pleasure in telling you a little more about who he actually is and his journey thus far in this month’s edition of Life on the Edge. We present to you the one and only Akeem Burke, a Barbadian saxophonist with the power to blow your socks off and a sax appeal to lure you to the dance-floor.

If you are a chic outgoing individual who loves jazz, soul and RnB, then Burke of age 24 may not be a total stranger. In Barbados, he’s been leaving his musical notes everywhere in many of the islands’ hotspots and recently, even in the UK. However, let’s rewind a bit and see how he got to this present stage of tantalizing crowds and playing on top of tables.

Whether or not you know this face of who many may consider to be a charming young man, we take great pleasure in telling you a little more about who he actually is and his journey thus far in this month’s edition of Life on the Edge. We present to you the one and only Akeem Burke, a Barbadian saxophonist with the power to blow your socks off and a sax appeal to lure you to the dance-floor.

If you are a chic outgoing individual who loves jazz, soul and RnB, then Burke of age 24 may not be a total stranger. In Barbados, he’s been leaving his musical notes everywhere in many of the islands’ hotspots and recently, even in the UK. However, let’s rewind a bit and see how he got to this present stage of tantalizing crowds and playing on top of tables.

Like many lovers of music, Akeem’s profession as a saxophonist didn’t start with sax. In fact, it all started at age 7, when he began toying around with the piano. He also grew up being surrounded by music, not just at home but also at church. As he grew older, he attended the Coleridge & Parry school which was a nourishing musical environment as he then began to experiment with a wide range of instruments, even that of the clarinet. However, If you truly know Akeem Burke, then you know he’s a man of soul and what other instrument speaks to that like a big bad tenor sax.

This new instrument was unlike anything he had tried before. It required him to breathe a bit deeper to extract the raw power of its smooth symphonic conical bore but when he heard that first note, he just knew that he had found the instrument to resonate the sounds of his soul.

It certainly wasn’t an easy transition but he refused to part ways with his new best friend and simply kept on blowing. After a few years and along with the help of much needed after school lessons, Akeem was making appearances and being featured in various local news papers and blowing away the crowds at NIFCA (National Independence Festival of Creative Arts) with his beautiful renditions while performing with the school’s Jazz Band.

This new instrument was unlike anything he had tried before. It required him to breathe a bit deeper to extract the raw power of its smooth symphonic conical bore but when he heard that first note, he just knew that he had found the instrument to resonate the sounds of his soul.

It certainly wasn’t an easy transition but he refused to part ways with his new best friend and simply kept on blowing. After a few years and along with the help of much needed after school lessons, Akeem was making appearances and being featured in various local news papers and blowing away the crowds at NIFCA (National Independence Festival of Creative Arts) with his beautiful renditions while performing with the school’s Jazz Band.

Akeem was surely beginning to make his mark but he didn’t stop there. He then proceeded to do his Degree in music at the Barbados Community College, a popular tertiary institution which made many of Barbados’ musicians of today. However, like many of them, he was now left to find his way in the music realm on the island.

This was the time when he really started to bloom. Akeem slowly began to find his grove and to develop his personal style into what you see today. His approach to music was wholehearted and whole-souled. Just like the girth it takes to blow the sax, he gave it his all and it began to payoff. Whether at Sandals, Hilton, The Crane, Sunset Point, The Cliff, Carifesta or even Gospelfest, he left audiences on their feet and wanting more. With such amazing reviews and as the love for his unique sound grew, it just so happened that he got recommended for an audition at Nikki Beach Barbados. Believe it or not, the following week, Burke had become the resident saxophonist for the renowned beach club.

Attention, ladies! He may be dark chocolate but he’s certainly not made of it. Three things that you may not know about Akeem are that he hates chocolate, he is a certified barber and he absolutely loves Indie music. In addition, Burke loves to play for an interactive audience so you better believe that he’s not afraid to come close to sweep you off of your feet with the sweet sounds of the latest hits and those of yesteryear.

As mentioned, Burke played at a number of places over the island and now he can finally add abroad to the list. He recently came back from London where he stated that he felt really appreciated and at home. It was a cold venture but he was able to warm a few hearts as he got to share his music with that side of the world. This isn’t the end for Burke either, he’s just getting started and in the near future, he plans to travel more and to publish some of his very own music.

Keep smiling Burke, the world awaits!

When it comes to music, I just do me!

My approach to music on a whole is different because I put my all… emotions, everything without hesitation. My love and appreciation for soul and RnB have influenced my style significantly and that translates into what you hear through my playing.

Akeem Burke

Saxophonist

Akeem Burke – Sax Appeal

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