Orlando Owoh (14 February 1932 – 4 November 2008)^[1] was a Nigerian highlife musician and band leader of Yoruba origin.

Biography

He was born Stephen Oladipupo Olaore Owomoyela in Osogbo, Nigeria on 14 February 1932 to Owomoyela and Mrs. Christiana Morenike Owomoyela. His father hailed from Ifon, Ondo State, while his mother was from Owo. He later became known to his fans as Chief Dr. Orlando Owoh. As a young man Owoh initially entered into the carpentry trade until 1958, when he was hired by Nigeria's Kola Ogunmola Theatre Group to play drums and sing. Owoh went on to form Dr. Orlando Owoh and his Omimah Band in 1960, and over a musical career of forty years became one of the leading proponents of highlife music. With bands such as the Omimah Band and later the Young Kenneries and the African Kenneries International, Owoh remained popular in Nigeria, even as tastes moved to the newer jùjú and fuji styles.^[2] He had over 45 albums to his credit. Orlando Owoh died on 4 November 2008 and was laid to rest at his Agege residence in Lagos, Nigeria.

Discography

Albums released by Dr. Orlando Owoh include (not in chronological order): 1) Aiye nyi lo (medley) 2) Ajanaku Daraba 3) Apartheid, 4) Asotito Aye 5) Awa de 6) Ayo mi sese bere 7) Cain ati Abel 8) Easter special, 9) E ku iroju 10) E Get As E Be 11) Emi wa wa lowo re 12) Experience 13) Ganja I 14) Ganja II 15) Ibaje eniyan 16) Igba aye Noah 17) Ire loni 18) I say No 19) Iwa l'Oluwa nwo 20) Iyawo Olele 21) Jeka sise 22) Kangaroo 23) Kennery de ijo ya 24) Kose mani 25) Late Dele Giwa 26) Logba Logba 27) Ma wo mi roro 28) Message 29) Mo juba agba 30) Money 4 hand back 4 ground 31) Oriki Ojo 32) Orin titun 33) Thanksgiving 34) Which is which

His singles include (not in chronological order): 1) Brother ye se 2) Day by day 3) Diana 4) Ebe mo be ori mi 5) Zo Muje 6) Egi nado 7) Elese (sinner) 8) Fiba fun Eledumare 9) Ma pa mi l'oruko da 10) Ma sika Ma doro 11) Modupe (medley) 12) Oju ni face 13) Okan mi yin Oba orun 14) Olorun Oba da wa lohun (medley) 15) Oro loko laya 16) Rex Lawson 17) Wa ba mi jo 18) Yabomisa sawale 19) You be my lover.

This list of albums and singles is however not exhaustive.^[3]

References