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Teddy Osei, Founding Member of Osibisa, Passes Away at 88

Celebrated Ghanaian musician Teddy Osei has reportedly passed away. He was 88 years old. Osei was a founding member of the influential Afro-rock band Osibisa. Bessa Simons, President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (GHAMRO), confirmed the news during a media interview, as reported by BigFamily News. According to Simons, Teddy Osei died on the morning of Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

Background
Teddy Osei, Founding Member of Osibisa, Passes Away at 88
Teddy Osei

Born in Kumasi in December 1937, Osei began his musical journey by learning to play the saxophone while attempting to form a band with his college friends in Sekondi. After graduating, he briefly worked as a building inspector before establishing a band called “The Comets,” which gained some popularity in Ghana. Their music was heavily influenced by Highlife, a genre that blends European and African musical traditions.

The Comets recorded with Philips West Africa and also played on a radio show. In 1962, Osei traveled to London with a Ghanaian government grant to study at a private music and drama school. However, his funding was cut short following the deposition of Kwame Nkrumah in 1966. He then joined forces with other students who had also lost their scholarships. Together, they began playing soul music at venues across Europe and eventually formed a group called “Cat’s Paw” in Switzerland.

This group included future Osibisa members Sol Amarfio and Osei’s brother, Mac Tontoh. After a while, they returned to the UK in search of more stable financial opportunities. In 1969, Osei co-founded Osibisa with other talented musicians. The band rose to prominence in the 1970s and continues to perform today, leaving an indelible mark on the Afro-rock genre. Teddy Osei’s journey, from his early experiments with music in college to his international success with Osibisa, showcases his dedication and talent.

Teddy Osei, Founding Member of Osibisa, Passes Away at 88
Osibisa Band

His contributions to music remain a lasting legacy in the Afro-rock genre. According to Osei, he only started playing the saxophone because the person who volunteered to play it didn’t show up to practice. After that, he continued teaching himself by listening to jazz records and playing along with the music.

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