Chris Ajilo is a product of the 1950s, the decade that established Highlife as a prominent musical genre. With a particular fondness for more difficult dance music of a mixed native, he attracted a high-brow clientele. While highlife musicians performed in mainstream nightclubs, his unusual sounds were better suited to aristocratic places. A multifaceted performer, Ajilo is regarded as one of Nigeria’s pioneering jazz instrumentalists. Ajilo is competent in practically all reed family instruments, including flute, alto, soprano, baritone, and others, but it is the tenor saxophone that truly embodies his character.

He handled himself with dignity and a strong sense of responsibility throughout his career as a practicing musician. He worked as a music producer for PolyGram, one of the greatest recording companies at the time, and helped numerous performers such as Celestine Ukwu, Osadebe, and Rex Lawson improve their music quality and rhythm. He has discreetly retired to his hometown of Ijebu Jesha in Osun State, where he is still quite active at the age of 84. To his credit, he has outstanding releases such as Eko Ko Gba Gbere, Ariwo, Oju Rere Ati Emi Mimo, and others.