As Nigeria's self-appointed Minister of Enjoyment, King Sunny Adé quickly shies away from any notion that he's making political music.

"My politics are about making people happy ... That's what I do. I don't confront governments; I don't play a role in any political party.

"Everywhere in the world now is politics, politics, politics. But I'm not a politician; I'm a musician. We're just using the music for [people] to relax their mind, and think about all they should do for [each other]. At least, after the day's work, they have to relax and listen to good music. I hope they come to the concert and enjoy themselves."

For those unfamiliar with Adé's 30-year career, he has been an innovator of Jùjú, a Western African dance music that delights in "conversational" arrangements between "township-sized" ensembles—20 – 30 members strong—and an array of instruments, including the talking drum, for which the genre is best known. Many of the instruments on stage—like the pedal-steel guitar, which Adé is credited with having introduced into the genre—are chosen for their resemblances to African language tonality.

"That's part of innovation," he says. "Even though I introduced pedal steel [to Jùjú music], the way we play it is quite different than [in country music]. We have African guitar, African violin, so that's why I introduced it."

At the start of his first North American tour since 2005 (and his first appearance in Edmonton in 25 years), Adé says that he plans to release a new record—adding to the more than 100 already in his catalogue—at the end of this year. When asked about his formula for longevity and success, Adé keeps things relatively simple.

"I enjoy what I do," he admits. "I still enjoy playing my music all over the world. That's what keeps me going.

"I tell my fans all over the world that I come and give them my best; that they should dust off their shoes, dance together and have a party."