OJ EKEMODE & the NIGERIAN ALLSTARS 1989 Texas POSTER Jagmo

O. J. EKEMODE and the NIGERIAN ALL-STARS11" x 17"CONCERT POSTERCANNIBAL CLUB AUSTIN TEXAS1989POSTER ARTIST: JAGMOCONDITION: EXCELLENT -9 OF 10 OR BETTERHARD TO FIND TOP CONDITIONFIRST ONLY ORIGINALHIS BACKGROUNDAlthough he is fondly called OJ by his friends and admirers, Orlando is real names are Orlando Julius Aremu Olusanya Ekemode. An indigene of Ilesha in Osun State, he was born in Ikole-Ekiti to a trading family His father first traded in Abeokuta before moving to Ikole-Ekiti, where he was given a piece of land by the traditional ruler of the town and encouraged to settle there.Orlando is the fourth son in the family and the younger brother of professor Gabriel Ekemode, of the University of Ife, Ile-Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) his journey into music began many years ago when he was a pupil of St. Peter’s Anglican School, Ikole-Ekiti . As a lad, he played the drums and flute for the school band, as well as for a local band known as Mambo dance band. After finishing school in 1957 and consequent upon the death of his father in the same year, he left Ikole-Ekiti for Ibadan (the then capital of the Western region) in search of a job. While in the city, he worked as a bakery assistant and at the same time, tried to keep alive his dream of pursing a career in music by stringing along with a few musicians who desired his services as a drummer and flutist.He went to play at a time under J. Oyeshiku and Cotey Necoy of Ghanan and Julius Araba but his real wish was to become a saxophonist. And so, in keeping with the tradition of the time, he took up apprenticeship with Ademola Haastrup (aka. Jazz Romero) band and one of the brightest horns men around then. Orlando landed a job with Romero’s band (Action Group) playing trap drums.To a large extent, Orlando Julius aids his success as a musician to the persisting influence of his experience in Ibadan. He cherishes most of those early days with the Action Group Band. He was not only impressed with the band’s organization but also reckoned it to be the best equip(musical instrument) band in the country and it provide a great opportunity for up-coming musicians to practice there skill and become professionals.1958Early nineteen fifty eight Orlando Julius went to Ondo State with Haastrup to start the Modupe Dance Band while in Ondo State, played drum-set with the band while Learning saxophone at the time, with his master. June 1958, was when Orlando Began to play the alto saxophone for the first time on stage. Towards the end of “58 the Band moved on to Akure-Ekiti, to the Flamingo Hotel and became the “Flamingo Dandies Band”. Jazz Romero abandoned the band after a misunderstanding with the owner of the hotel. Orlando became the band leader after a decision by the band members. Although the band members felt that Orlando has what it takes to lead. His own belief was that he was not yet experience enough to handle such responsibility at the time. After a short while Orlando decided to move back to Ibadan to get more experience.After relocating back to Ibadan, Orlando returned to Action Group Band. He also traveled in between Lagos and Ibadan frequently. While in Lagos, Orlando played Nyingifa ‘s band, and also at “Mayflower Club” in Ibadan with Rex Williams. In 1959 Orlando landed a job with Eddie Okonta and “His Top Aces” band at Central Hotel, also Paradise Club. While playing with Eddie Okonta, Orlando had the opportunity to welcome Louis Armstrong to Ibadan.Louis Armstrong performed and presented Eddie Okonta a special trumpet,with golden mouthpiece and his whitehandkerchief. Working with Mr. Okonta was a great opportunity for Orlando, He always loved Eddie Okonta’s music, and in fact he used to stand on a pile of blocks so he can see him play at Paradise in mid “57 So now working with him was like a miracle that put Orlando on the right path.Orlando was constantly writing songs and modernizing High-Life music, since working with the Flamingo Dandies. While working with Eddie Okonta, he was made the “horn arranger” and parts scorer. With Eddie Okonta, Orlando Julius, played on WNTV, Ibadan”First in Africa”. Also he toured Nigeria with Eddie Okonta and His Top Aces.In 1960,after the Independence celebration Orlando traveled to Ijebu-Ode to work with the “Right Time Dance Band”, where he first met Y.S. Akinibosun the leader of the band. He worked with the band for over six months. After meeting his brother I.K.Diaro and his band at a gig in Ijebu-Ode, I.K.Diaro convinced Orlando to come backhome to Ijesha land to lead the “I.K.’s Dance Band. While leading I.K’s Dance band he recorded his first single in 1961,”Igbehin Adara” and “Jola Ade”. In NBC Radio Station in Ibadan on Alowonle records. Orlando also co-written and arranged some of I.K.Dairo’s hits such as “Solome”,Bola Ti To”,and others. The dance band lead by Orlando Julius also backed I.K. Diaro on some high-life recordings.By 1963 Orlando started forming “His Modern Aces” band in Ibadan. The name Modern Aces was because of Orlando’s style and modernization of “Highlife”. Orlando Julius and His Modern Aces played Parties Universities, Clubs, weddings etc;. The band was hot; in 1963 Orlando recorded with “Phillips records”. The song Jaguar Nana on a single along with Ishe Logun Ishe on the flip side. The song sold millions in the country and outside the country, but unfortunately, Phillips took Orlando and his band for a ride because Orlando never received anyroyalties for his records. Phillips paid five pounds for a single and that five pounds had to take care of the whole band. It is said that the single sold over a million copies.In mid 1964,with the success of Jaguar Nana, Orlando got a contract to play a Television weekend show on WNTV for a few quarters. The producer for the show was Segun Shofowote, during this time he met and worked with Ambassador Segun Olusola and many other TV house producers like Orlando Martins. Also Orlando was contracted to play on “Bar Beach Show" on channel 10 in Lagos, were he worked with producer Art Alade and others where he and his band played for two quarters. Between the years of 1963 and 64 Orlando and His Modern Aces continued to play many engagements including Havana Festival at the University of Ibadan and all Universities in Nigeria, including Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s birthday, Chief Rotimi Willams 25th anniversary, to name a few of the many “Big” engagements.Orlando never stopped writing and arranging his creative style of music. While living in Ibadan, Orlando performed in the Independence Hotel. It was the talk of the town. As he experimented with his new style his modern highlife took a form of more contemporary style of high life, fusing modern highlife with jazz and also soul. Fela-Ransome Kuti And Orlando first met at the Independence Hotel were Orlando featured Fela playing trumpet. Also many big names at the time played at Independence Hotel on Orlando’s invitation like I.K. Diaro, Rex Lawson, Paramount 8 from Ghana ,Eric Akaeze,Bola Johnson, Biodun Bakare, Tunji Oyelana and others. JimiSholanke was Orlando’s first vocalist from I.K.’s band, Eddie Fayehun played trumpet, Moses Akanbi on trap drums to mention a few.1967 was when Orlando changed the bands’ name to Afro-Sounders, since his music had a sound of it’s own withthe Afro and the Soul, he thought that Afro Sounders was a more appropriate name for the band. More hits like Topless, Ijo Soul Ololufe, Ese rere; were out at this time.1968 to 1970 Orlando Julius and His Afro-Sounders dished out more powerful music with Alo Mi Alo, Sweet Home, Erora Miliki, Amin Ase, Erora Yio Sida, Psychedelic Afro Shop and James Brown Ride On. Orlando met James Brown when he came to Ibadan with his band the JB’s he also had Bootsie Collins with him. Orlando and his band had a serious jam session in 1969. Orlando and His Afro Sounders continued to play engagements and club dates east, north ,west and south. Hakeem Kareem was with Afro Sounders in the beginning.In 1972 Orlando traveled to Germany, London, Swisserland, and also U.S. on Polders invitation., with whom his album was released. Orlando’s band continued to Play even as he traveled, Club Chicago was the spot for the Afro Sounders in Surulere, also Gondola night club, Bata Koto,and many others in Lagos.Orlando finally left for the U.S. in 1974 after recording Disco Highlife and Children of the World, featuring Dora Ifodu. Orlando lived in Manhattan, New York, but soon moved over to Washington D.C.. While in there, he worked with Melvin Deal in arts in residence program, during this time Orlando wasted no time in forming a band. The groups name” Umoja” ,with Gboyega Adelaja,Stanley Todd, Frankie Todd, Asante, Harry Opoku,and Glenn Warren, (The son of Guy Warren, the greatest drummer in Ghana).Umoja has played with Isaac Hayes,Chaka Khan & Rufus, Gil Scot Herron, the Ojays,Gladys Knight & the Pips, Harold Melvin and the Blue notes, Staple Singers ,Curtis Mayfield . Ron Hood was the promoter and manager of Umoja, he loved African music and he really did his best to promote Umoja and book them with the best the west had to offer. Orlando and Umoja would always be grateful for Ron’s efforts. When Hugh Masekela came to Umoja’s rehearsal, he was instantly excited about working withthe band after hearing Orlando’s” Ashiko”. Umoja toured and recorded with Hugh Masekela,Orlando took a big part in the production of the albums “The Boy’s Doing It” and “Colonial Man”.In 1975 , after the success of Hugh Masekela’s The Boys Doin It, the band toured the U.S,Canada, Hawaii, Ghana, and Liberia . They Played with Grover Washington, Sara Vaughn, Isley Brothers, Miles Davis, Nina Simone,Herbie Hancock,(At the Carnigie Hall) ). Orlando played with Hugh Masekela for two years, recording and producing with Hugh Masekela, and performing with his band “Ojah