Ghanaian music legend and saxophonist Teddy Osei, who founded the Afro-rock band Osibisa, has died at the age of 88.
The talented drummer and singer died on Tuesday in London.
He was “an important voice in music and culture and we will miss him, but he will never be forgotten,” the statement said.
Osei gained recognition as the leader of Osibise, where his boundless creativity as a multi-instrumentalist was never aligned to a single genre.
He played an instrumental role in shaping the unique sound of the band that conquered the world with warm, infectious songs that transcended cultural and musical boundaries.
The Musicians Union of Ghana (Musiga) shared a heartfelt tribute.
“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,” said Musiga President Bessa Simons.
Born on December 1, 1937 in Kumasi, Ghana, Teddy Osei was introduced to music by his father, who played in prominent school bands.
A gifted multi-instrumentalist, Osei was best known for his passion for the saxophone, a love he cultivated while studying in the western city of Sekondi.
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 lively rhythms of highlife – a popular West African genre – with the energetic styles of rock and soul.
In 1969, Osei co-founded the pioneering Afro-rock group Osibisa with fellow Ghanaian musicians Solo Amarfia and Mac Tontoh.
The band’s name, Osibisa, comes from a word in the Fante language that means “highlife”.
Osibisa’s fusion of Afrocentric sounds with rock, soul, jazz and funk put them on the world music map as one of the first African bands to gain international recognition.
Osei’s contribution to the success of Osibise is undeniable.
His key contribution to the group led to UK chart success with singles such as Sunshine Day and Dance the Body Music.
Their live performances have wowed audiences around the world, leading to extensive tours across Europe, Asia and Africa.
One of their key performances was at Zimbabwe’s independence celebrations in 1980, where Bob Marley and the Wailers also performed.
Osei’s commitment to promoting African music on the global stage has left an indelible mark on the international music industry.
in 2021, he said The Guardian he got into music because he “wanted to make a difference on the African music scene”.
Without Osibisa, Osei said, there would be no Fela Kuti, considered by many to be the godfather of Afrobeat.
His contribution served as a cultural bridge that connected diverse audiences through the universal language of music.
“Osibisa gave Africans confidence in their own music,” Osei once said reflecting on what he considers his greatest achievement.
His passing marks the end of an era, but his musical innovations and the paths he opened for African artists will endure, continuing to inspire and resonate with future generations.
