Victor Olaiya

Victor Abimbola Olaiya simply known as Victor Olaiya or Papingo Dalaya was born on December 31, 1930, in Calabar, Cross River State to a father who was a church organist and a mother who was the leader of a cultural group in Calabar. He is from Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Victor Olaiya Age

Victor Olaiya is 93 years old.

Victor Olaiya Early Life

Growing up, he was to go abroad to study Cost and Management Accounting but decided to play music for a 'short while' which obviously translated into for 'a life time'

Victor Olaiya Career

Victor Olaiya is a trumpeter who with A.D Cole formed their own band in 1952, 'The Cool Cats' prior to which he played a variety of music including waltz and highlife.

His sound which bridges between Highlife and what would become known as Afrobeats was influenced by James Brown and has impacted lives throughout Africa. Before moving down to Lagos in the '40s he went to Onitsha to learn how to play the big flat French trumpet in the African College, Onitsha. He played in so many bands like that of the late Bobby Benson, the late Prof. Samuel Akpabot, and the Lagos Orchestra before joining the late A D. Cole to found the Cool Cats Band, which later metamorphosed to All Stars International.

In 1956, The Cool Cats were chosen to play at the State ball when Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom visited Nigeria and his track, 'Baakodaya' was used in 1960 to announce the election results which was usually in favor of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and so the track was indirectly used to announce the failure of the opposing party, NPN.

In July 2013, Victor Olaiya released a music video remix of Baby Jowo (Baby Mi Da) with 2face idibia

He has performed at the Maiderville Hall, London in 1963, Prague, Czechoslovakia where he represented the African continent

He is a member of the Performing Rights Society.

Victor Olaiya Personal Life

He was called the evil genius of highlife by Alhaji Alade Odunewu of the Daily Times because of his belief that Victor's music was out of the ordinary and that his particular brand of highlife was a little beyond explanation.

He has several wives and many children, four of which play the trumpet with his band with the fifth on the tenor sax and another on the guitar.

He has retired from active duty due to his failing health.

Victor Olaiya Net Worth

His net worth is not available.

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