Veteran Nigerian highlife musician, Orlando Julius Olusanya Ekemode, better known as Orlando Julius, has died. The saxophonist, who hailed from Ije
Veteran Nigerian highlife musician, Orlando Julius Olusanya Ekemode, better known as Orlando Julius, has died.
The saxophonist, who hailed from Ijebu Ijesha in Osun state, died at 3 am on Friday, 15 April, at the age of 79 years.
The passage was relayed by his widow, Latoya Aduke, through music promoter and Evergreen music boss, Bimbo Esho.
Esho in an early Friday Facebook post said, “Bimbo, daddy has passed on. This was the message I stumbled on waking up at exactly 3 am to peruse my WhatsApp page. It was a message sent to me by Orlando Julius’ beautiful and supportive wife, Lady Latoya.
“Orlando Julius, a native of Ijebu Ijesha, succumbed to the cold hands of death and breathed his last few hours ago at the age of 79.
“We shall miss one of Nigeria’s fathers of Afro/Highlife Music, a gentleman, and a fine saxophonist.
“May daddy Orlando Julius’ soul journey well. To the entire Ekemode family, may God give you the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.”
He will be remembered for many of his hits songs among which is Jagur Nana, Ololufe, A dara a dara, and many more.