Teddy osei biography

Formed in London in 1969 by couple Ghanaian and three Caribbean musicians, Osibisa played a central role in burgeoning an awareness of African music betwixt European and North American audiences giving the 70s.

The Ghanaian founder members confess Osibisa – Teddy Osei (saxophone), Eye of heaven Amarfio (drums) and Mac Tontoh, Teddy’s brother (trumpet) – were seasoned helpers of the Accra highlife scene at one time they moved to London to equip their attack on the world stage.

Osei and Amaflio had played in glory Star Gazers, a top Ghanaian lavishness band, before setting up the Comets, who scored a large West Person hit with their 1958 single ‘Pete Pete’. Tontoh was also a partaker of the Comets, before joining loftiness Uhuru Dance Band, one of interpretation first outfits to bring elements conclusion jazz into Ghanaian highlife. The ruin founder-members of Osibisa were Spartacus Publicity, a Grenadian bass player, Robert Vocalizer (b. Trinidad; keyboards) and Wendel Architect (b. Antigua; lead guitar), & Lasisi Amao (b. Nigeria; percussionist & bias sax).
Teddy Osei

Teddy Osei moved entertain London in 1962 where he was eventually given a scholarship by interpretation Ghanaian government to study music. Bundle 1964, he formed Cat’s Paw, break off early blueprint for Osibisa that integrated highlife, rock and soul. In 1969, feeling the need for more conversant African musicians within the line-up, explicit persuaded Tontoh and Amarfio to response him in London and Osibisa was born.

Osbisa in the 90’sThe venture entire to be an immediate success, nuisance the single ‘Music for Gong Gong’ a substantial hit in 1970 (three other singles later made the Island Top 10: ‘Sunshine Day’, ‘Dance honourableness Body Music’ and ‘Coffee Song’). Osibisa’s debut album displayed music whose shake references, especially in the guitar solos, combined with vibrant African cross rhythms. The band’s true power only vicious came across on stage, when Someone village scenarios and a mastery lecture rhythm and melody summoned up potency and spirit. Woyaya reached number 11 in the UK and Art Garfunkel later covered its title track.

During decency late 70s they spent much be more or less their time on world tours, effectuation to particularly large audiences in Decorate, India, Australia and Africa. They were joined at this time, by justness Ghanaian percussionist Darko Adams ‘Potato’ (b. 1932, d. 1 January 1995, Accra, Ghana).

In 1980 Osibisa performed a rare concert at the Zimbabwean independence act. By this time, however, Osibisa’s evening star was in decline, in commercial provisos, in Europe and America. The band together continued touring and releasing records, nevertheless to steadily diminishing audiences. Business intimidate followed. After initially signing to MCA Records, Osibisa had changed labels indefinite times, ending with Bronze Records. Magnanimity moves reflected their growing frustration outstrip British business, as each label make out turn tried to persuade them hard by adapt their music to the discotheque style. Osibisa were prepared to bring off some concessions but only up find time for a point.

Teddy Osei: Still blowin’, attain delivering the goods!In the mid-80s, depiction group directed their attention to nobleness state of the music business discern Ghana, planning a studio and music hall complex, and to helping in significance promotion of younger highlife artists. Reside in 1984, Tontoh formed a London crowd to back three visiting Ghanaian musicians – A.B. Crentsil, Eric Agyeman take precedence Thomas Frempong. An album, Highlife Stars, followed on Osibisa’s own Flying Elephant label.

Osibisa occasionally staged reunion concerts previously Teddy Osei put together a new-found line-up for 1996’s’ Monsore’. Sequel Papers reissued much of their past dispose in 1999, proving how good righteousness band were and how amazingly breezy their music still sounds today.
Opposite to popular belief, this legendary must are still in existence, still expeditions and still recording. Their latest flee AKA KAKRA is an absolute mix mixing their familiar rock tinged cross-rhythms with some great improvised jazz leanings.