Popular Nigerian Saxophonist and afrocentric musician, Orlando Julius Ekemode, has died. He was aged of 79.
His wife, Lady Latoya Ekemode, confirmed his death to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
She said that Orlando Julius passed on in his sleep late Thursday.
“Yes, my husband passed on late last night. There was no indication that death was coming, he was not ill, he only slept and died in his sleep,” NAN quoted her as saying.
Similarly, music promoter, Bimbo Esho, announced the ‘A dara, a dara’ singer’s demise in a social media post on Friday.
“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,” Esho posted.
Julius-Elemode, was a saxophonist, singer, band leader, and songwriter closely associated with afro-highlife music.
Some of his albums were: Disco Hi-Life, Ololufe, Love, Peace and Happiness; Dance Afrobeat, among others.