I was scrolling through Instagram one evening in October when a video from De9jaspirit Talent Hunt—a Nigerian talent show dedicated to discovering homegrown talent—caught my eye mid-swipe. A young boy stood on stage in a yellow-and-blue suit, topped with a high afro wig that gave him a distinctly vintage look, as though he’d stepped out of the 1970s.
Beyond the retro-inspired aesthetic, what really captivated me was the sound pouring from his saxophone—a classic rendition of “Joromi,” the 1969 highlife hit record by the legendary Sir Victor Uwaifo. The performance was magnetic, so much so that I replayed it multiple times, captivated by the maturity and soul in his playing. And unsurprisingly, the four judges on De9jaspirit Talent Hunt felt the same, praising his technique, composure, and the distinct promise running through his performance.
The boy behind the saxophone is Jeremiah Oluwajenyo, better known as Jeremiah FJ Sax. At just 13 years old, this young saxophonist from Kwara State emerged as the first runner-up in De9jaspirit Talent Hunt Season 4 and continues to captivate audiences with every performance. But how does a 13-year-old develop the lung capacity, technical precision, and emotional depth to play like someone three times his age? And what foundation makes such growth possible?
A Four-Year-Old’s Promise
Oluwajenyo’s love affair with the saxophone started in the most unexpected way. “When I was younger, my family went out for a talent hunt, and I saw someone playing the saxophone,” he recalls. “I told my dad, ‘I can play the saxophone.’ He said, ‘Okay, I’ll get a saxophone for you.’”
That promise hung in the air for a full year. Young Jeremiah kept asking, but out of caution, his father waited before getting him the saxophone. “He said he waited because he wanted to make sure it wouldn’t affect my health at three years old,” the young Oluwajenyo explains. When he finally received his saxophone at age four, his musical journey was set in motion.
From a physiological standpoint, what Jeremiah FJ Sax has achieved is remarkable. When I reached out to Abigail Amodu, a medical doctor at a federal hospital, to understand the physiological demands of playing the saxophone at such a young age, she explains, “A 13-year-old performing at this level on a wind instrument like the saxophone is impressive, but entirely possible with proper training. At that age, the lungs and diaphragm are still developing, so regular breathing exercises and disciplined practice can greatly improve breath control and stamina.”
She adds that musicians like Jeremiah FJ Sax often develop excellent posture, lung capacity, and cardiovascular health, all of which are critical for sustaining long notes and complex musical phrases. “His ability to perform consistently on stage at that age shows his natural talent and, most importantly, his careful, progressive training,” Amodu observes.
The Making of a Saxophonist
Jeremiah FJ Sax ‘s training has been anything but casual. Over the years, he’s worked with four primary teachers—Shola Animashaun, Sunday Okpo, Muyiwa Williams, and Jerry Omole—each leaving an indelible mark on his musical development. “I’ve had a lot of teachers, but four of them really had an impact,” he says. “I wouldn’t say one lesson is better than the others, because every lesson is important.”
The young Oluwajenyo’s sonic inspirations form a veritable hall of fame for any saxophonist: Charlie Parker, the bebop pioneer whose improvisations changed jazz forever; David Koz, the smooth jazz virtuoso known for his melodic and expressive playing; Kenny G, the global icon of smooth jazz with a signature tone, and Gerald Albright, celebrated for his funk-infused jazz and rich saxophone timbre.
Together, these legendary musicians have shaped Jeremiah FJ Sax’s sound, giving him a foundation that blends jazz sophistication with contemporary flair. While the saxophone remains his artistic instrument of choice, he is already expanding his sonic palette. “I play a few other instruments, but I wouldn’t say I play them very well yet,” he admits. “For example, I can play a little bass guitar and a little keyboard.”
To get a clearer sense of what it takes to perform at FJ Sax’s level, I spoke with Precious Sax, a professional saxophonist. He was clearly impressed. “Jeremiah’s skill at 13 is remarkable,” he says. “To play the saxophone at that level, you need precise finger control, embouchure strength, and breath management, which usually takes years to develop. He’s clearly disciplined in his practice, and you can tell he understands phrasing and tone, not just notes.”
The De9jaspirit Experience
For Jeremiah FJ Sax, De9jaspirit Talent Hunt Season 4 was more of a revelation than a competition. “My experience at De9jaspirit Talent Hunt was wonderful,” he reflects. “It pushed me out of my comfort zone and really showed who I am as a saxophonist. I even discovered that I could dance, which I never knew until I joined the talent hunt.”
The stage itself didn’t intimidate him. Having performed at large venues even before the show, Jeremiah FJ Sax approached the competition with the poise of a seasoned performer. “I wouldn’t really say performing on such a big stage at 13 was challenging,” he says. “Even before De9jaspirit, I had performed on large stages, so I was already somewhat used to it.”
Emerging as first runner-up rather than the grand prize winner could have been disheartening for a 13-year-old, but his perspective reveals a maturity well beyond his years. “When I didn’t win the grand prize, I realized that winning doesn’t always mean getting the top prize,” he says thoughtfully. “I still believe I’m a winner, even if I didn’t take the grand prize. What matters most is what I learned and how much I grew from the experience.”
A Rising Star’s Vision
The judges called him a rising star, and when I asked Jeremiah FJ Sax if he saw himself that way, he embraces the identity without hesitation. “Yes, I would say I’m a rising star,’ he affirms. “It feels very motivating to know that people see me that way, compliment me, and are looking forward to watching me grow as a star.”
Since the show aired, his confidence has soared. “My confidence has really increased,” he says. “I feel much more confident when I’m on stage.” But Jeremiah FJ Sax isn’t content to rest on what he’s already accomplished.
While he already plays most genres of music, he’s eager to push further. “What I want to explore as I grow are new techniques and new styles,” he explains. “I’d love to find different ways to approach the genres I already play.”
His dream collaborations reflect both his international ambitions and his pride in Nigerian music. On the global stage, he hopes to work with American smooth jazz saxophonists Dave Koz and Kenny G. Closer to home, his wish list features some of Nigeria’s biggest stars: Davido, Ayra Starr, Wizkid, Nathaniel Bassey, and Dunsin Oyekan.
At 13, with nine years of saxophone experience already behind him, Jeremiah FJ Sax is emerging as one of Nigeria’s most promising young musicians. Despite his age, he continues to captivate audiences, earn the respect of music professionals, and continues to perform on major stages across the country.
The impact is visible: in the month following the show, his Instagram following surged from 15,000 to 100,000, a sign of how quickly his talent resonates with new listeners. Jeremiah Oluwajenyo’s journey, from a curious four-year-old picking up a saxophone to a national sensation, shows that talent and dedication can defy age.
For Jeremiah FJ Sax, this is just the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable musical career