Ghanaian musician and legendary saxophonist Teddy Osei, a founding member of the iconic Afro-rock band Osibisa, has passed away at the age of 88. The sad news was confirmed by Bessa Simons, President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (GHAMRO), who spoke to myjoyonline.com. Osei died on the morning of Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
Born in Kumasi in December 1937, Teddy Osei is best known for his role as the leader of Osibisa, a band he co-founded in 1969. Osei’s musical journey began in his youth when he developed an interest in musical instruments. He started playing the saxophone while trying to form a band with his college friends in Sekondi. After completing his college education, he briefly worked as a building inspector before founding his first band, “The Comets,” which gained some popularity.
In 1962, Osei moved to London, where he was awarded a grant from the Ghanaian government to study music and drama for three years. However, he had to cut short his studies due to a change in government back home. In 1969, he founded Osibisa, a groundbreaking Afro-rock band that gained international recognition and continued to thrive in the 1970s, though it still performs today.
While at college, Osei’s initial venture into music involved trying to form a band with friends, and he only began playing the saxophone after the original volunteer for the instrument failed to show up for practice. Osei then taught himself how to play by listening to jazz records and playing along with them, a testament to his self-driven musical talent.
After starting his career as a building inspector, Teddy Osei formed a semi-professional band called The Comets, alongside his brother and friends. The band found success in Ghana, recording for Philips West Africa and performing on a radio show. Their music was heavily influenced by Highlife, a genre blending European and African musical traditions.
In 1962, Osei moved to London, leaving The Comets behind. He arrived with limited funds and spent a year living with friends while working as a dishwasher. Eventually, Osei received a grant from the Ghanaian government, which allowed him to study at a private music and drama school in London for three years.
However, when Ghana’s president Kwame Nkrumah was overthrown in 1966, Osei’s grant was cut. Undeterred, he joined other students who had also lost their funding and began performing soul music at various European venues. The group found a loyal following in Switzerland and adopted the name “Cat’s Paw.” Members of this group included Sol Amarfio and Osei’s brother Mac Tontoh, both of whom would later become part of Osibisa. The group eventually returned to the UK in search of more stable financial opportunities.
SOURCE: http://dew360.net
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