We are thrilled to announce a monumental addition to our roster for the upcoming 2027 season: West Africa’s iconic musical pioneer Gyedu-Blay Ambolley & His Sekondi Band are now officially available for booking through bureau45!

The Ghanaian saxophonist, singer, and producer is a true living legend in global music history. As the pioneer of the „Simigwa Sound“ in the early 1970s, he became one of the very first artists to blend traditional Highlife rhythms with spoken-word rap—years before Hip-Hop broke commercially in the US. Today, he is universally celebrated as the „Godfather of Hiplife.“

Musical Style and Live Presentation:

• Stylistic Diversity & Crossover: Ambolley’s sound blends traditional Highlife and Afrobeat with elements of heavy funk and progressive jazz. On his acclaimed album „Highlife Jazz“, he reinterpreted classics by jazz icons such as John Coltrane and Miles Davis through a West African lens, making his music highly relevant for traditional jazz settings as well.
• The Live Concept: On stage, Ambolley is backed by his eight-piece Sekondi Band. The lineup—featuring a precise horn section and traditional West African percussion—delivers a high-energy, danceable, and rhythmically complex live performance.
• Historical Relevance: As a contemporary of icons like Fela Kuti and Ebo Taylor, Ambolley represents the golden era of West African music. His performances bridge historical African rhythms and modern festival stages, appealing equally to world music audiences, jazz enthusiasts, and vinyl-digging communities.

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