It has been three years since the legendary late saxophonist and musician, Dr. Orlando Julius Ekemode, left planet Earth. To celebrate the anniversary tomorrow, his widow and partner will be hosting friends and family at the Orlando Julius Afro House Highlife (OJAHH) in Osun State for a ceremony titled ‘Sound Check and Jam.’
Speaking on this, the American-Nigerian-loving Latoya Aduke, who was honored as the Yeye Asa of Egboro-Ijeshaland by the Oba, HRM Olufemi Agunsoye Elegboro of Ijebu Ijesha, mentioned that her band will perform at the celebration, as she hosts friends and fans on the anniversary of O.J’s departure from the stage of life.
“This remembrance is called SOUNDCHECK and it‘s the prelude to opening of Orlando Julius Afro House of Highlife (OJAHH), a Recording Studio and Artist Development Center. IFOKANBALE BAND will come together and play live. Most are also members of Orlando’s Band and they can never forget the impact Orlando had on them from their experiences with him.
“We will start the day with prayer and akara, kill goat for a barbecue and felicitate with a drink of palm wine and of course have prayers.
“We will focus on Sound Check and the importance of doing it thoroughly. Orlando Julius was an audio engineer and never missed sound check if he could help it, even internationally. Most lead performers wait at hotel until it is time to enter stage. Not Orlando ooo!
“My husband, O.J always insisted on being involved with his sound. He said all the hard work Musicians do to perform, you get to stage and the sound is terrible, it reflects on performance.
“Also In life, we must check ourselves before we wreck ourselves. For ‘Sound Check; you need Patience, Tolerance, be able to communicate to get best results. Also these are attributes we need to make our lives flow without stress.”
Orlando Julius Aremu Olusanya Ekemode, known professionally as Orlando Julius was a Nigerian saxophonist, singer, bandleader and songwriter closely associated with afrobeat music. He died on April 14 in 2022 aged 78 in the arms of his beloved, Latoya Aduke in Ilo, Ilesa, Osun State. O J who was part of Eddie Okonta’s Highlife band in early 60s, impacted many including Fela Kuti, Victor Uwaifo, Jimi Solanke, Helliocentrics, Afroblackish and several others.
Orlando Julius, who was also honoured in 2019 as Gbeluniyi of Egboro-Ijeshaland, had his first hits with 1965’s “Jagua Nana” and the 1966 album Super Afro Soul. In the 1970s.
The versatile musician and bridge builder recorded with several artistes and groups like the Heliocentrics and the Band Umoja with Hugh Masekela after a meeting in Virginia.They performed and toured with Masekela.
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