Basma Ahmed Sayyed Hassan

Music Legend Teddy Osei of Osibisa Dies at 88

Teddy Osei, one of the pioneering founder of Afro-rock band Osibisa, has died in London. The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) President Bessa Simons confirmed his passing on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Osei’s journey from Kumasi, Ghana to international stardom embodied the spirit of African music innovation. Born in December 1937, he transformed from a self-taught saxophonist into a groundbreaking bandleader who helped define the Afro-rock genre. His musical path began unconventionally – he picked up the saxophone by chance when another musician failed to show up for band practice during his college days in Sekondi. This twist of fate led him to master the instrument by playing along to jazz records. Before founding Osibisa, Osei led The Comets, a successful Ghanaian band influenced by Highlife music. In 1962, he embarked on a transformative journey to London, where he initially worked as a dishwasher before securing a government grant to study music and drama.