Victor Olaiya
Victor Abimbola Olaiya was considered to be one of the most influential trumpet players in Nigeria, and a pioneer in the highlife genre.
Olaiya began his career playing a variety of music, including waltzes and highlifes. In 1952, he decided to form his own band, who became known as the Cool Cats as he blended traditional Nigerian melodic forms with Western jazz instrumentation. His popularity grew throughout the 1950s, and he released most of his material in the 1960s. While very little of his work was heard in the West, in Nigeria he was tremendously popular, and his take on highlife was seen as a stepping-stone to what would become known as Afro-beat. Olaiya became a nightclub owner in the '70s and continued with his music; he was also leader of the Nigerian Musicians Union. Victor Abimbola Olaiya died on February 12, 2020 in Lagos, Nigeria; he was 89 years old.
© All Music Guide /TiVo
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Discography
6 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Afro Rhythm Parade, Vol. 7 (Mono Version)
Africa - Released by BNF Collection on 1 Jan 1900
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
51 Lex Presents Trumpet Highlife
Funk - Released by 51 Lex (PR) Records Ltd on 24 May 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Legendary Victor Olaiya Vol2
Funk - Released by Premier Records Ltd on 20 Jan 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Highlife Giants of Africa
World - Released by Premier Records on 17 Jan 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
51 Lex Presents Okwudili
Funk - Released by 51 Lex (PR) Records Ltd on 24 May 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Legendary Victor Olaiya Vol1
Funk - Released by Premier Records Ltd on 20 Jan 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo