Edwin Chukwuemeka Okonta (a.k.a) Eddy Okonta hailed from Okuku in Delta State. Like many of his contemporaries, he had his tutorage under the Nigerian Doyen of Highlife Music- Bobby Benson in the early ’50s. He later formed a band known as Eddy Okonta and his Jofabro Star Aces under Mr. Jossy Olajoyegbe the proprietor of one of the front-line recording companies JOFRABO. Mr. Saliba, a Lebanese, proprietor of Paradise Club, Ibadan who was always frequenting the Jofrabo Organisation in Lagos finally lured Eddy to play as a resident band at the Club in Ibadan. He later changed the band’s name to Eddy Okonta and his Top Aces, which was one of the most formidable bands at that time and also reputed to be one of the leaders with the greatest pay to band members. He had many professionals playing in the band. Eddy himself a great trumpeter had late Zeb Philips also a trumpeter and assistant bandleader. Fred Lawal took over the Rhythm guitar from Fred Coker who left the band to form a calypso band in the North. Eddy’s band had two altorist (Pa Willy – Roy Chicago􀁄s junior brother and

Okon). One of the greatest living Highlife maestro Orlando. Julius played Tenor Saxophone in the band alongside Adeolu Akisanya who composed and released his first Highlife numbers ( Ema Rocky, Je Nrokan, Kirikiri, and Bonfo) all under Eddy’s band on Jofrabo label. Akanbi Moses was Eddy’s drummer, Abbey the bassist, Denis the Bongorist, Chiko on the Conga, Dany Kay on the trombone, Olu London doubled on the clef, and vocals, Sunny Lion Heart on the tenor and vocals.

One of the band’s greatest assets was the ace vocalist – Nat Buckle who composed and vocal monstrous numbers such as Oriwo, Abele amongst others. Eddy’s mastery of the trumpet earned him the title ” The Obi of Trumpet” in the early sixties. Eddy died in May 1997.