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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 he will be missed, but never forgotten,” the statement said.
Osei was hailed as the leader of Osibisa, where his limitless creativity as an instrumentalist was never confined to a single genre.
He played a key role in shaping the band’s unique sound, captivating the world with his warm and 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.
An accomplished multi-instrumentalist, Osei was known for his love of the saxophone, a love he cultivated while studying in the western town of Sekondi.
Osei moved to London in the early 1960s on a government scholarship to study music and drama.
During this time, Osei created a group called Cat’s Paw, which mixed the lively rhythms of highlife – a popular West African genre – with energetic rock and soul styles.
In 1969, Osei co-founded the pioneering Afro-rock band Osibisa with Ghanaian musicians Sol Amarfio and Mac Tontoh.
The band’s name, Osibisa, comes from a Fante word meaning “highlife”.
Mixing Afrocentric sounds with rock, soul, jazz and funk, Osibisa placed them on the world music map as one of the first African bands to gain international fame.
Osei’s contribution to Osibisa’s success is undeniable.
His crucial contribution to the band led to UK chart success with singles such as Sunshine Day and Dance the Body Music.
Their live shows wowed audiences around the world, touring extensively throughout Europe, Asia and Africa.
One of their major performances was at Zimbabwe’s independence celebrations in 1980, where Bob Marley and the Wailers also performed.
Osei’s dedication to promoting African music globally has left an indelible mark on the international music industry.
In 2021, he said The Guardian he ventured into music, “because he wanted to make a difference in the African music scene”.
Without Osibisa, according to Osei, there would have been no Fela Kuti, who is considered the godfather of Afrobeat.
His contributions served as a cultural bridge connecting various audiences through the universal language of music.
“Osibisa gave Africans confidence in their music,” Osei once said, reflecting on his greatest achievement.
His death marks the end of an era, but his musical innovations and the path he paved for African artists will live on, continuing to inspire and resonate with future generations.
