Four years after the passing of legendary musician Orlando Julius Ekemode, plans are underway to celebrate his life and music through a series of tribute concerts and fundraising events across the United States and Europe.
Latoya Ekemode, his wife and a singer-dancer, shared with The Nation that the concerts aim to honor the late saxophonist and bandleader while supporting an upcoming documentary chronicling his life and contributions to global music.
“I’m very excited about the tribute concert. We are going to do at least two here in the US and a couple in Europe, that’s the plan,” Latoya said.
The concerts will serve as a platform to raise awareness for the independently financed documentary, she added. “We’re doing it on our own, ain’t nobody helping us,” Latoya noted.
The events will feature a diverse lineup of musicians, including African artists and performers who had connections with Orlando Julius. “We figured we do the tribute concert and combine the concert with musicians from here, African musicians, and people who know Orlando. There’s also going to be fundraisers,” she explained.
Latoya also hinted at reinterpreting some of Orlando Julius’ iconic records with contemporary influences, ensuring that his music resonates with a new generation of listeners.
Widely regarded in the global music scene, Orlando Julius Ekemode played a pivotal role in shaping modern African music, influencing generations of musicians both in Nigeria and beyond. He passed away in April 2022 at the age of 79.