Teddy Osei, the legendary Ghanaian musician and founding member of the Afro-rock band Osibisa, has passed away at the age of 88. The news was confirmed by Bessa Simons, President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), who revealed that the celebrated saxophonist passed on Tuesday morning, January 14, 2025, as reported by myjoyonline.com.
Osei was instrumental in shaping the sound of African music on the global stage through Osibisa, which blended Afrobeat, highlife, and rock, creating a unique and vibrant musical style. His contributions to the music industry have left an indelible mark, and he will be remembered as a pioneer who brought African rhythms to international audiences.
Born in Kumasi, Ghana, Teddy Osei discovered his passion for music early in life, becoming acquainted with musical instruments as a child. While in the coastal city of Sekondi, he began learning to play the saxophone and attempted to form a band with his college friends.
After graduating, Osei briefly worked as a building inspector before turning fully to music, founding a band called The Comets, which enjoyed a short-lived period of popularity.
In 1962, Osei traveled to London, supported by a government grant to study at a private music and drama school for three years. However, his studies were cut short by political upheaval in Ghana, leading to his departure.
Osei’s determination and talent eventually led to the creation of Osibisa, the iconic Afro-rock band that introduced African rhythms and melodies to international audiences, solidifying his legacy as a musical pioneer.
In 1969, Teddy Osei co-founded Osibisa, a pioneering Afro-rock band that blended African rhythms with rock, funk, and jazz influences. The group gained widespread popularity throughout the 1970s, delivering hits such as Sunshine Day and Welcome Home. Though their prominence waned in later decades, Osibisa continues to perform, maintaining its legacy as an influential force in global music.
Osei’s musical journey began during his college years, where he attempted to form a band with friends. He picked up the saxophone only after the original player failed to show up for practices, teaching himself by playing along with jazz records.
After college, Osei worked briefly as an inspector before forming a semi-professional band with his brother and friends called The Comets. Drawing inspiration from the Ghanaian genre Highlife, which merges European and African musical elements, the band gained local success, recording with Philips West Africa and performing on radio.
In 1962, Osei moved to London, leaving The Comets behind. Initially struggling financially, he lived with friends and worked as a dishwasher before receiving a Ghanaian government grant to study at a private music and drama school. However, this grant was withdrawn following the overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah in 1966.
Undeterred, Osei joined forces with fellow students affected by the upheaval to form a soul music group called Cat’s Paw, which gained a following in Switzerland. Among its members were future Osibisa stalwarts Sol Amarfio and Mac Tontoh, Osei’s brother. After some success in Europe, the group returned to the UK, where Osei began laying the groundwork for Osibisa, a band that would later revolutionize the global music scene.#newsafro_
