| Birth name | Timothy Oluwadamilare Olayinka |
|---|---|
| Birth date | March 29, 1985 (age 41) |
| Birth place | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Origin | Osun State, Nigeria |
| Occupation | Saxophonist |
| Instrument | Saxophone |
| Genre | Afrobeat, Afro-jazz |
| Years active | 2010–present |
Teemeeysax (born Timothy Oluwadamilare Olayinka; 29 March 1985) is a Nigerian saxophonist known for his contributions to contemporary Afrobeat, Afro-jazz, and live performance music.
Early life and education
Timothy Oluwadamilare Olayinka was born on 29 March 1985 in Lagos, and is originally from Osun State.[1] He developed an early interest in music and began singing in a church choir at the age of 12, later becoming a choir coordinator at 15.[1]
Teemeeysax had his primary education from 1991 to 1996 at Baptist Primary School and Baptist Secondary School from 1997 to 2001 for his secondary education.[1] He received musical training at the Apostolic Church Music School, from 1998 to 2000 and Music Business Society of Nigeria, a programme he completed in 2001.[1]
Career
Teemeeysax gained recognition through his work as a saxophonist in Nigeria's contemporary music scene, where he became known for blending jazz elements with Afrobeat and popular music styles.[2]
He has collaborated with several Nigerian artists, including Asake, Kizz Daniel, and Chike, contributing saxophone arrangements to both live performances and recordings.[2]
Teemeeysax serves as a performing saxophonist for Afrobeats artist Asake and has appeared at major concerts and international venues. His performances have been noted for their emotional depth and technical precision.[3]
He has also performed at events such as Flytime Fest and international stages.[2]
His musical style combines Afrobeat, jazz, and gospel influences. His playing is characterised by expressive phrasing and a "vocal-like" approach to the saxophone, often reinterpreting contemporary songs into instrumental narratives.[4] He is regarded as part of a new generation of Nigerian instrumentalists contributing to the evolution of Afrobeat and live performance music, particularly through the increasing prominence of saxophone in mainstream Afrobeats.[4]
References
- ^ Favour, Dupe (12 June 2024). "Teemeeysax: The evolving of sounds, sax and versatile musical talents". P.M. News. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ^ Okuyeme, Tony (27 July 2024). "Celebrating Teemey, the awe-inspiring saxophone virtuoso". New Telegraph. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
- ^ "Studio Alchemy: Teemeeysax turns BBC Radio 1Xtra session into pure musical dialogue". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ^ "Teemeeysax: The saxophonist turning breath into fire". TheNewsNigeria. 1 April 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2026.