Victor Olaiya

Victor Abimbola Olaiya was born on December 31, 1930, in Calabar to parents from Ijesha-Ishu, Ekiti State. Initially accepted to read civil engineering at Howard University, his consuming passion for music led him instead to join the Sammy Akpabot band, later leading the Ritz Tempo Orchestra before forming his own Cool Cats band in 1954.

Olaiya's velvety trumpet tone and sophisticated arrangements made him the premier bandleader of post-war West Africa. He had the distinction of playing at the official state ball celebrating Nigeria's independence in October 1960 and at the republic celebrations in 1963. He mentored musical luminaries including Fela Kuti and Tony Allen, producing immortal highlife classics like Baby Jowo and Omo Pupa.