Ghaniaian musician and saxophonist Teddy Osei, founding member of the Afro-rock band Osibisa, is dead at 88.
According to Myjoyonline, President of MUSIGA, Bessa Simons, said he died on January 14, 2025. Born in Kumasi, Osei started playing instruments as a child. He started playing the saxophone when he was putting together a band with college mates at Sekondi. After graduation he worked for a year as a building inspector before putting together “The Comets.”
The Comets were briefly in vogue until Osei travelled to London in 1962 on a Ghanaian government grant to study music and drama for three years, but had to leave after one because of a regime change in Ghana.
He formed Osibisa in 1969 with other musicians. The group was very popular throughout the 1970s but faded out, though they still exist today.
In college, he tried to start a band with friends. Osei picked up the saxophone when the original player would not show up to practices. He taught himself by listening to jazz records and playing along.
He formed the semi-professional band called the Comets with his brother and some friends after starting as an inspector. They were so successful in Ghana that they recorded for Philips West Africa and appeared on a radio show, playing in the style of the ‘Highlife’ genre, which combines European instrumentation with African sounds.
In 1962, Osei left the Comets for London. Having spent all his travel money, he lodged with friends and took a job as a dishwasher for a year.
He then obtained a three-year scholarship from the Ghanaian government to study at a private music and drama school.
His scholarship ended when Nkrumah was overthrown in 1966. Osei joined fellow students who were also stripped of their posts, to travel and play soul music across Europe.
The band gained a following in Switzerland and named themselves Cat’s Paw, including members Sol Amarfio and Mac Tontoh, Osei’s brother, both future Osibisa members. They later relocated back to the UK for financial stability. In 1969 he formed Osibisa with other musicians. The band was successful in the 1970s but declined though it still performs today.
