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Entertainment of Sunday, 21 February 2021

Source: legit.ng

Nigerian legendary highlife musician Chris Ajilo dies at age 91

Veteran Nigerian musician and producer, Christopher Ajilore, popularly known as Chris Ajilo has passed away. According to reports, the highlife legend died after a brief illness at his Ijebu-Ijesha hometown.

Ajilo who died at the age of 91 on February 20, 2021, was a bandleader, producer and record industry executive whose contributions to Nigerian music have been described as broad and noteworthy.

Having undergone training in England on the tenor saxophone, Ajilo returned to Nigeria in the early ’50s and immediately formed his own band, Chris Ajilo & His Cubanos.

Speaking with The Cable, Michael Odiong, general manager of Premier Music, Ajilo’s record label, confirmed the news of his passing.

“He passed away this morning. He was ill briefly. I mean, he’s 91. So, anything could happen at that age,” he said.

The late veteran is known for hit tracks such as Eko O Gba Gbere, Ariwo, Orilonise, Only You, amongst others, some of which were covered by Ginger Baker and Osibisa.

In a report by @elderscorner on Instagram - a page dedicated to celebrating music veterans, Ajilo also mentored a number of talented young musicians several of who subsequently rose to prominence in their own right; The Lijadu sisters and Fela Kuti lead Saxophonist, Baba Ani.