Teddy Osei, a Ghanaian musician and saxophonist who co-founded the Afro-rock band Osibisa, has passed on aged 88.
The unfortunate event occurred on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 in London.
The news was confirmed by Bessa Simons, President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (GHAMRO), on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
Osei’s musical legacy began in his hometown of Kumasi, where he discovered his passion for instruments at a young age.
While attending college in Sekondi, he formed his first band, “The Comets,” with his friends. After graduating, Osei briefly worked as a building inspector before pursuing his musical dreams in London.
In 1962, a government grant allowed Osei to study at a London music school for three years. However, a change in Ghana’s political climate forced him to remain in England. It was there, in 1969, that Osei joined forces with other talented musicians to form Osibisa.
Osibisa’s unique blend of African rhythms and rock influences propelled them to international fame in the 1970s. The band’s popularity waned somewhat over time, but they never stopped performing, continuing to captivate audiences with their electrifying sound.