Celebrated Ghanaian musician, Teddy Osei of Osibisa fame has died at 88.
The unfortunate event occurred on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 in London.
President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Bessa Simons confirmed the sad news to Citi News, describing Teddy Osei’s death as a loss of one of Ghana’s greatest musical icons.
Teddy Osei, who co-founded Osibisa in 1969 was renowned for blending Afrobeat, highlife and rock to create a globally recognised sound.
Born in December 1937 in Kumasi, his musical journey began in his youth when he was first introduced to musical instruments.
His passion for music led him to pick up the saxophone during his college years in Sekondi, where he attempted to form a band with friends.
Interestingly, he took up the instrument when the original saxophonist failed to attend practices.
Teddy honed his skills by playing along to jazz records, a self-taught practice that shaped his artistry.
After completing college, Osei briefly worked as a building inspector before forming his first band, The Comets, which enjoyed moderate success.
In 1962, he traveled to London on a government grant to study music and drama. However, political changes in Ghana forced him to leave the program after three years.
