Victor Olaiya
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Biography
Victor Abimbola Olaiya, born on December 31, 1930 in Calabar, Nigeria, was a trumpeter. His music bridged highlife and Afrobeat, influenced by James Brown. He began playing instruments at an early age and later joined bands, including the Sammy Akpabot Band and the Bobby Benson Jam Session Orchestra. In 1954, Olaiya formed his own band, the Cool Cats, which played popular highlife music. The band performed at significant state events, including Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Nigeria in 1956 and Nigeria's independence celebrations in 1960 and 1963. During the Nigerian Civil War, Olaiya was given an honorary rank of lieutenant colonel in the Nigerian army, and his band played for troops at various locations. Notable musicians Tony Allen and Fela Kuti played with Olaiya before achieving individual success. Olaiya passed away on February 12, 2020.
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