Israel Olorunfeh Cole (Birth name: Oloh Israel Olufemi Cole; March 20, 1944 – October 13, 2007) better known by his stage name Dr. Oloh was a Sierra Leonean afropop and Jazz musician. Dr Oloh is widely considered one of the biggest musicians from Sierra Leone. His hit singles were very popular in Sierra Leone in the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s.
Israel Olorunfeh Cole, commonly known as Dr. Oloh was born on March 20, 1944, in the mountain village of Leicester, near Freetown in the Western Area of Sierra Leone to a Nigerian mother and a Creole father. He led a band known as Milo Jazz. He was awarded the OR (Order of Rokel) by the Sierra Leonean Government in 1989. Oloh and his band toured the United Kingdom a couple of times.
He died on October 13, 2007, after a short illness.
Links to Peel[]
Peel visited Sierra Leone in November 1989 and was determined on his 22 November 1989 show to help artists from the country to get recordings after his visit. In December 1989, Peel broadcasted a session from a Sierra Leonean musician named Big Fayia, that was recorded by the British Council in the capital Freetown in November 1989, where he was present.
In the 90's, Peel started to promote more artists from the country including Dr. Oloh and S.E. Rogie. However, interestingly there is no record of Peel playing any of Dr Oloh's records on his radio programmes, except for sessions.
Sessions[]
1. Recorded: 1991-10-10. First Broadcast: 09 November 1991. Repeated: 29 December 1991
- Cobbah Me / Yawohammi / Aleluyah Tumbay / Ajuba
- Dr Oloh
1. Recorded: 1992-09-03. First Broadcast: 30 January 1993. Repeated: 03 April 1993
- Sierra Leone Unite / Mariama / Balua / Nar You Joe Me Man
Other Shows Played[]
- None