Entertainment
Teddy Osei of Osibisa fame dead
Veteran Ghanaian Musician, Teddy Osei of Osibisa fame is reported dead
Ghanaian musician and saxophonist Teddy Osei, a founding member of the Afro-rock band Osibisa, has died at 88 in London on January 14, 2025.
Bessa Simons, President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), who at a point played alongside the band disclosed that the legendary musician breathed his last on Tuesday morning, January 14, 2025.
Born in December 1937 in Kumasi, Osei was pivotal in the band’s formation in 1969 after studying music in London. His impact on music is celebrated.
He is one of the founding members of this Afro-Caribbean band that rocked the world with their amazing quality.
Through their ingenuity, they projected Ghana’s name through music and their awe-inspiring performances across the world.
In 1969, he founded Osibisa along with several other musicians. The band remained popular through the 1970s, before experiencing a decline, although it continues to perform today.
While at college, he attempted to put together a band along with some of his friends. According to Osei, he only began to play the saxophone because the person who had volunteered for that instrument did not attend the practices. He continued to teach himself the saxophone, listening to records of jazz musicians and playing along with the music.
After beginning work as an inspector, he created a semi-professional band along with his brother and some friends.
The band was known as the Comets, and became successful in Ghana, recording with Philips West Africa and playing for a radio show. Their music was inspired by ‘Highlife’, a genre derived from a fusion of European and African influences.
In 1962 Osei travelled to London, leaving the Comets behind. Having spent his money on travel, he lived with some friends in London, and worked as a dish-washer for a year.
He then applied for and received a grant from the Ghanaian government, which allowed him to attend a private music and drama school for three years.
However, his grant was terminated after Nkrumah was deposed in 1966. Osei teamed up with several other students who had also lost their positions and began to play soul music at various venues across Europe.
The group acquired a following in Switzerland, and named themselves Cat’s Paw. At this stage its members included Sol Amarfio and Osei’s brother Mac Tontoh, both future members of Osibisa. However, the group eventually returned to the UK, looking for a more permanent financial situation.
GHANAIAN UK-based gospel musician and songwriter, Victoria Ivy Obeng has finally released the much-anticipated Extended Play (EP), titled My Passion.
The EP is made up of five spirit-filled songs: ‘Take me deeper’, ‘Psalms 34’, ‘I surrender’, ‘I love you more than anything’ and ‘You Alone’.
The EP was birthed from a deep hunger for God’s presence and an unwavering love for Jesus Christ. Rooted in scripture and inspired by a life of worship, this project is a response to the call for total surrender.
“To love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30), songs like ‘Take me deeper’ and ‘I surrender’ express longing for intimacy with God and a willingness to yield completely to His will,” she revealed.
Ivy Obeng added, “also ‘You Alone’ and ‘I love you more than anything’ declare Christ as the centre of all devotions, while ‘Psalms 34’ reflects a lifestyle of continuous praise.”
She started singing at the age of eight, and with the determination to get to the top, Ivy Obeng has touched and impacted many lives with her God-given talent through ministrations at different events.
The gospel minister began writing and recording her songs in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown. She is eager to impact lives and change destinies for the better through her awe-inspiring music.
The EP is available on all digital music stores worldwide.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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AFTER two years of silence, Clarion Clarkewoode roars again with ‘Aye Kwa’, to wit, the plot has failed.
‘Aye Kwa’ is a vibrant afrobeats track in which Clarion delivers a humorous and relatable narrative drawn from everyday life. The song is crafted to keep listeners engaged, entertained, and encouraged to stay fearless and unshaken in the face of negativity or hate.
When asked why he chose to release this song now, Clarion reflected that its lyrical content mirrors the challenges he has personally faced and, by God’s great grace actively at work in his life, overcome.
Anchoring his message in Scripture, Clarion affirms that through the finished and perfect work of Jesus Christ on the cross, “nothing present or yet to come can separate us from the love of Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39).
In a message to his fans, Clarion said, “watch this space you’re going to be spoilt for choice this year. I’m making up for the two years of silence with a variety of massive tunes!”
‘Aye Kwa’ was produced by Kwame Yeboah (KwamStar) in the UK, with additional production and mixing by Martin Mawutor (Martinokeys) in Germany. It was mastered by Matt Foster in the UK, with background vocals by Claudia Trixie and Clarion Clarkewoode in Ghana.
‘Aye Kwa’ is now available for streaming and download on all digital platforms.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
