In Loving Memory

• Âge: 94 ans
• : December 21, 1930 in Nigeria
• : February 12, 2020 in Nigeria

At an early age, Olaiya learned to play the bombardon and the French horn. After leaving school, he moved to Lagos, where he passed the school certificate examination in 1951. He was accepted by Howard University in the United States to study civil engineering but chose instead to pursue a career in music, despite his parents\\ disapproval. He initially played with the Sammy Akpabot Band, served as the leader and trumpeter for the Old Lagos City Orchestra, and later joined the Bobby Benson Jam Session Orchestra. br brIn 1954, Olaiya formed his own band, the Cool Cats, playing popular highlife music. His band was selected to perform at the state ball during Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Nigeria in 1956. They also played at the state balls for Nigeria\\s independence in 1960 and the establishment of the Nigerian republic in 1963, sharing the stage with American jazz legend Louis Armstrong on the latter occasion. br brDuring the Nigerian Civil War (1967–70), Olaiya was given the honorary rank of lieutenant colonel in the Nigerian army, and his band performed for the troops at various locations. They also traveled to the Congo to perform for United Nations troops. In 1963, Olaiya renamed his band the All Stars Band and performed at the International Jazz Festival in Czechoslovakia. br brBeyond music, Olaiya ran a business importing and distributing musical instruments across West Africa and established the Stadium Hotel in Surulere, Lagos. He was honored with the national Order of the Niger award (Officer rank) and received a fellowship from the Institute of Administrative Management of Nigeria in 1990. He also served as president of the Nigerian Union of Musicians.