Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson ~ So Bo Ibibi Na – Major Boro – Susana Pango
Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson ~ So Bo Ibibi Na – Major Boro – Susana Pango
artist: Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson
songs: So Bo Ibibi Na – Major Boro – Susana Pango
CD: The Classics Vol. 1 (Premier Music)
From www.nme.com
b. 1932, Ijebu, Nigeria, d. 1976, Lagos, Nigeria. Vocalist and trumpeter Lawson was one of the most popular Nigerian band leaders of the 60s and early 70s, playing a style of big band highlife informed by African-American jazz, which crossed tribal boundaries and was enjoyed by all Nigeria’s ethnic groups (a process he encouraged by singing in a wide variety of tribal languages as well as English). He joined Port Harcourt’s leading band the Starlite Melody Orchestra as a bandboy at the age of 12, and four years later, when the band was playing in the capital, Lagos, left the group – with a battered old trumpet that had been bequeathed to him by an uncle – to find work in the city’s nightclubs. During the 50s he played at various times with Bobby Benson, Roy Chicago, Chris Ajilo and Victor Olaiya. In 1960, he formed his first band, originally known as the Nigeraphone Studio Orchestra and later renamed the Mayor’s Dance Band. Inspired by the “Dukes”, “Counts” and “Ladies” populating American jazz, Lawson dubbed himself Pastor, later promoting himself to Cardinal, and with the 11-piece Mayor’s Dance Band quickly took the Lagos club scene by storm. He enjoyed massive West African hits with “Oko”, “Yellow Sisi”, “Jolly Papa” and “Gowon Special” before dying at the early age of 44, still at the peak of his popularity. His band continued without him, as the Professional Seagulls, led by Prince David Bull. They are still active and enjoyed a major Nigerian hit in 1981 with “Soko Soko”.
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