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Quick Facts
Born
1934
1934
From
Nigeria
Nigeria
Journey
Zeal Onyia was a Nigerian jazz trumpeter who significantly influenced West African highlife music. He began his musical journey alongside Bobby Benson in the 1940s and later with ET Mensah, mastering classic highlife and competing with Fela Kuti's band in the 1960s. Following a period of studying classical music in Germany during the 1970s, he returned to Lagos and recorded six remarkable tracks with the Tabansi Studio Band before founding the Rhythm Dance Band and later establishing the Zeal Band in Lagos. In addition to his musical pursuits, he also served as the program editor at the Voice of Nigeria radio.
