Teemeeysax: The evolving of sounds, sax, and versatile musical talents

By Dupe Favour

Sound and pieces of music seep into the soul when the maker of the art has a depth filled with passion and ingenuity. One of the germane essence of art is  representation, and one of the Nigerian Saxophonists putting the name of the country on maps in Europe and around the world is Teemeeysax. A man who started it all out so early, has been in the choir since age 12, and became a choir coordinator at the age of 15.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria on the 29th March, 1985, the Osun State indigene has etched a mark that professes hardwork and resilience to everyone, especially the youths of nowadays. He attended Baptist Primary School from 1991 to 1996 for his primary school education, Baptist secondary school from 1997 to 2001 (where he got his WASSCE), and trained from 1998 to 2000 in music at the Apostolic Church Music School, a foundation that made him strong in music today. He later futher his studies into the Music Business Society of Nigeria, which he completed the programme around 2001. Teemeeysax later went to the University of Lagos where he bagged his BSC in Business Administration from 2026 to 2019. He has since then been combining his passion in music with business.

Timothy Oluwadare Olayinka, also well known as Teemeeysax became a saxophonist after being inspired by the instrument itself. For him, it tells stories with a soothing sound. Apart from this, he loves his career because of how the instrument connects to his soul, and how he feels some spiritual effects which connotes that he becomes a player who is filled.

This cause is also the cumulative effort and the giant strides of artists like Kenny G, David Sanborn, Gerald Albright, Kirk whalum , and Dave koz among others. Watching them made him learn the instrument and how to use it creatively. While growing up, these are also top five saxophonists that he listened to. Their greatness also layered a foundation for him, making him travel to diverse countries of the world like the United Kingdom, Spain , Slovakia, Netherlands, Portugal; making impacts and also inspiring younger generations.

From 2010 to 2018 Teemeeysax served as the brass leader in The Apostolic Church Orchestra. It was here that he learned leadership  by bringing his team together for extra practice, writing clean scores,  and motivating the players, and also led them to perform a brass ensemble at the church’s national convention. For many years at OneNation Band at The Water Brook Church till 2022, Teemey led, performing various duties especially service that inspired his band. 

Since 2023 in Croydon, United Kingdom, he has been working with a lot of groups like Musical Movements and Sol and The Gang. His biggest role is with Asake, the Afro-fusion artist. At this moment of his life, he organized the horn crew and tour, arranged horn lines among others. He’s been a performer at grand events like the Flytime Festival in Nigeria, Lungu Boy at The O2 Arena, Flavour at Wembley, Wireless Festival, Rototom in Spain, Afronation in Portugal, and others. The media has praised him for standing out at Asake’s Lagos concert with soulful saxophone work. There are various commendations on his creative work on Asake’s “Peace Be Unto You.” 

For Teemeeysax, becoming an astute saxophonist requires more than having a dream or making wishes. It takes mindset, dedication, constant practice, creative expression, and musical knowledge. The art of having the “ears of music” is also an imperial need as the nature of careful listening is what makes one a distinct player. Nothing shakes the heart of listeners if it doesn’t touch their souls. Teemeeysax learned very early that this charm starts from within the artist,first. Passion brings all this out to the people. A good saxophonist must have it. He keeps showing the world his greatness and he is always resilient about the crest.