The Ghanaian musician who founded Osibisa has passed away at the age of 88
Ghanaian musician and saxophonist Teddy Osei, who founded the Afro rock band Osibisa, has passed away at the age of 88.
The talented drummer and vocalist passed away in London on Tuesday.
“He was an important voice in music and culture, and he will be missed, but never forgotten,” the statement read.
Osei rose to acclaim as Osibisa’s leader, a multi-instrumentalist whose boundless creativity never conformed to a single genre.
He played a major role in shaping the unique sound of the band, which has captivated the world with its warm and infectious songs that transcend cultural and musical boundaries.
The Musicians Union of Ghana (Musiga) shared their heartfelt thanks.
“Teddy Osei was not only a pioneer in the world of music, but also a cultural ambassador who helped bridge the gap between African rhythms and global sounds,” Musiga President Bessa Simmons said.
Born on December 1, 1937 in Kumasi, Ghana, Teddy Osei was introduced to music when his father was in popular school bands.
A multi-instrumentalist, Osei was known for his love for the saxophone which he developed while studying in West Sekondi town.
Osei moved to London in the early 1960s on a government scholarship to study music and drama.
During this time, Osei formed a band called Cat’s Paw, which combined the rhythms of highlife – a popular West African genre – with powerful styles of rock and soul.
In the year In 1969, Osei formed the pioneering Afro-rock group Osibisa with Ghanaian musicians Sol Amarfio and Mac Tontoh.
The band’s name Osibisa comes from the Fante language word meaning “highlife”.
Osibisa is one of the most internationally recognized African bands on the global music map, blending Afrocentric sounds with rock, soul, jazz and funk.
Osei’s contribution to Osibisa’s success is undeniable.
His critical input to the group led to chart successes in the UK with singles such as Sunshine Day and Body Music Dance.
Their live performances have wowed audiences around the world, leading to extensive tours across Europe, Asia and Africa.
It was one of their main performances during Zimbabwe’s independence celebrations in 1980, when Bob Marley and Wyler also performed.
Osei’s commitment to promoting African music globally has left an indelible mark on the global music industry.
He said in 2021. The guard He got into music because he “wanted to make a difference on the African music scene.”
He said that without Osibisa, Fela Kuti, who is considered the father of Afrobeat, would not have existed.
His contributions served as a cultural bridge connecting diverse audiences through the universal language of music.
“Osibisa gave Africans confidence in their own music,” Osei once said, reflecting on what he considered his greatest achievement.
His passing is the end of an era, but his musical innovations and the path he took for African artists will live on, and will continue to inspire and resonate with future generations.
