- Highlife
Highlife is a
musical genre that originated inGhana and spread toSierra Leone andNigeria in the 1920s and otherWest Africa n countries. It is very popular inLiberia and all of English-speaking West Africa, although little has been produced in other countries due to economic challenges brought on by war and instability. "Joromi " is a sub-genre.Highlife is characterized by
jazz y horns and multipleguitar s which lead the band. Recently, it has acquired an uptempo, synth-driven sound (cf.Daddy Lumba ).Saka Acquaye and His African Ensemble are featured on Nonesuch Explorer Series album "Ghana: High-Life & Other Popular Music" ("Voices of Africa: High-Life and Other Popular Music" 1969/2002). Other artists include:*
Koo Nimo (Daniel Amponsah)
*AB Crentsil
*Dr. Sir Warrior
*Dr. K. Gyasi and The Noble Kings
*S. E. Rogie
*Koola Lobitos
*The African Brothers Band
*George Darko
*Charles Amoah (singer)
*Solomon Ilori
*Rex Lawson
*Prince Nico Mbarga
*Jerry Hansen and The Ramblers
*E. T. Mensah
*Osibisa
*The Sweet Talks
*The Tempos
*Pat Thomas
*Aaron Bebe Sukura
*Daddy Lumba
*Bolga Zohdoomah
*King Bruce
*Nana Kwame Ampadu
*Rex Gyamfi
*Alhaji K. Frimpong
*Amakye Dede
*Paapa Yankson
*Celestine Ukwu
* 'Sir'Victor Uwaifo
*Oriental Brothers International
*Bobby Benson
*The Seagulls (Port Harcourt)
*Victor Olaiya
*Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe Highlife in Jazz
* Saxophonist
Pharoah Sanders recorded a song called "High Life" on "Rejoice" (1981)
*Pierre Dørge and his New Jungle Orchestra played in the Highlife style, e.g. on "Even The Moon Is Dancing" (1985)
* GuitaristSonny Sharrock had a song called "Highlife" on the album of the same name (1990)
* Craig Harris (trombone) had a song called "High Life" on the albumF-Stops (1993)External links
* [http://www.ghanamv.com Contemporary Ghanaian Music Videos]
* [http://www.vibeghana.com Watch Highlife Music Videos ]
* [http://www.ghanamusiconline.com Ghana Music News] Ghana Music News and a collection of video clips, audio and profiles on Ghana artists
* [http://biochem.chem.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~endo/EAOsadebe.html Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe]
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