Ghanaian music legend and saxophonist Teddy Osei, who founded the Afro-rock band Osibisa, has died aged 88.
The talented drummer and vocalist died in London on Tuesday.
He was “an important voice in music and culture and will be missed but never forgotten,” the statement said.
Osei became 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, which took the world by storm with its warm, infectious songs that transcended cultural and musical boundaries.
The Musicians Union of Ghana (Musiga) shared heartfelt tributes.
“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 Bessa Simons.
Born on December 1, 1937. in Kumasi, Ghana, Teddy Osei was introduced to music by his father who played in famous 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 dynamic rhythms of highlife – a popular West African genre – with the energetic styles of rock and soul.
In 1969 Osei co-founded the pioneering Afro-rock band Osibisa with fellow Ghanaian musicians Sol Amarfio and Mac Tontoh.
The band's name, Osibisa, comes from a Fante language word meaning “highlife”.
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 crucial contribution to the band led to UK chart success with singles such as Sunshine Day and Dance the Body Music.
Their live performances have enthralled audiences around the world, leading to extensive tours in 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 The Guardian he got into music because he “wanted to change the African music scene.”
Without Osibisa, Osei said, there would have been no Fela Kuti, widely regarded as the godfather of Afrobeat.
His contribution serves as a cultural bridge that connects diverse audiences through the universal language of music.
“Osibisa 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 continue to inspire and resonate with generations to come.