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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 vocalist passed away on Tuesday in London.
He was “an important voice in music and culture and will be missed but never forgotten,” the statement said.
Osei gained recognition as the leader of Osibisa, where his boundless creativity as a multi-instrumentalist never conformed to one genre.
He played an instrumental role in shaping the band’s unique sound, taking the world by storm with their 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 Besa Simmons.
Born on December 1, 1937 in Kumasi, Ghana, Teddy Osei was introduced to music by his father who played in prominent school bands.
A talented 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 mixed the vibrant rhythms of highlife – a popular West African genre – with the energetic styles of rock and soul.
In 1969, Osei co-founded the groundbreaking Afro-rock group Osibisa, along with fellow Ghanaian musicians Saul Amarfio and Mac Tontoh.
The band’s name, Osibisa, comes from a Fante word meaning “big life”.
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 Osibisa’s success is undeniable.
His important contribution to the band led to UK chart success with singles such as Sunshine Day and Dance the Body Music.
Their live performances have captivated audiences around the world, leading to extensive tours of Europe, Asia and Africa.
One of their key performances was at Zimbabwe’s independence celebrations in 1980, which also featured Bob Marley and the Wailers.
Osei’s dedication to promoting African music on the world stage has left an indelible mark on the international music industry.
In 2021, he said Guardian he ventured into music because he “wanted to make a difference in the African music scene”.
Without Asibisa, Osei said, there would be no Fela Kuti, who many consider the godfather of Afrobeat.
His contribution served as a cultural bridge that connected diverse audiences through the universal language of music.
“Asibisa gave Africans confidence in their own music,” Osei once said, reflecting on what he considered his greatest achievement.
His death marks the end of an era, but his musical innovations and the paths he paved for African artists will live on, continuing to inspire and resonate with generations to come.
