Olaiya
Lagos, Aug. 21, 2013 In an effort to promote indigenous music for global relevance, NAIJAZZ Music on Tuesday night in Lagos organised a musical concert in honour of the legendary highlife musician, Victor Olaiya.
Lagos, Aug. 21, 2013 In an effort to promote indigenous music for global relevance, NAIJAZZ Music on Tuesday night in Lagos organised a musical concert in honour of the legendary highlife musician, Victor Olaiya.
Olaiya has spent more than 60 years
on stage.
The Founder of NAIJAZZ Music, ace
jazz promoter, Ayoola Sadare, said at the event that Olaiya was a recurring
decimal in the highlife music scene.
He said that the contributions of
the musician could not be neglected.
``He is no doubt a reference point
for other Nigerian musicians; his music is evergreen, fresh and relevant.
``His music can be regarded as our
own jazz standards, which when properly achieved, would be a reference point
for generations to come,’’ he said.
Sadare said that the honour was in
pursuit of the organisation’s vision of redefining and restoring Nigerian music
to its glorious position.
Sadare urged that the Stadium Hotel,
where Olaiya had performed many times, should be considered as a tourist
monument.
He gave the assurance that the
company would honour other musical legends in the country.
When Olaiya mounted the stage to
perform, his signature glittering trumpet and sparkling white handkerchief were
conspicuous.
He took full command of his band
which included his son, Bayode, and effortlessly sang most of his songs one
after the other.
The excited response from the
audience was expected as they danced to each tune which took them down the
memory lane.
Olaiya was not given any plaque but
different jazz lovers gathered in his honour to play highlife and jazz for him.
Olaiya told NAN that he was happy to
be honoured and celebrated by lovers of his music.
``My wish is to keep highlife going,
and for the younger generation to embrace it.
Olaiya, a native of Ijesa-Isu in
Ekiti, was born on Dec. 13, 1930 in Calabar.
His songs have, over the years,
endeared him to many Nigerians.
Some of his songs are: ‘Omo pupa’,
`It’s time for highlife’ and `Baby jowo’.
Olaiya’s genre of music was
extremely famous from the 50s to early 80s. (OmenwaN)
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