Ghanaian music legend, saxophonist Teddy Osei, founder of Afro-rock band Osibisa, has died aged 88.

The talented drummer and singer died in London on Tuesday.

He was “an important voice in music and culture who will be missed but never forgotten,” the statement read.

Widely acclaimed as the leader of the band Osei Pizza, Osei’s boundless creativity as a multi-instrumentalist never followed a single genre.

He was instrumental in shaping the band’s unique sound, which captivated the world with its warm, infectious songs that transcended cultural and musical boundaries.

The Musicians Union of Ghana (Musiga) has expressed its heartfelt tribute.

“Teddy Osei was not only a pioneer in the music industry, but also a cultural ambassador who helped bridge the gap between African rhythms and global sounds,” said Bessa Simons, president of Musiga.

Born on December 1, 1937 in Kumasi, Ghana, Teddy Osei was introduced to music by his father, who played in the famous school band.

A talented multi-instrumentalist, Osei is best known for his passion for the saxophone, a love he developed while studying in the western town of Secundi.

In the early 1960s, Osei moved to London on a government scholarship to study music and drama.

During this time, Osei formed a band called Cat’s Paw, which fused the energetic rhythms of high life, a popular West African genre, with the energetic styles of rock and soul.

In 1969, Osei co-founded the pioneering Afro-rock band Osibisa with Ghanaian musicians Sol Amarfio and Mac Tontoh.

The band’s name, Osibisa, is derived from a word in the Fante language meaning “high life”.

Osibisa’s fusion of Afrocentric music with rock, soul, jazz and funk put them on the global music map as one of the first African bands to gain international recognition.

Osei’s contribution to Osibisa’s success is undeniable.

His important contribution to the band led to UK chart success with singles such as “Sunshine Day” and “Dance the Body Music”.

Their live performances have wowed audiences around the world and have toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia and Africa.

One of their major performances was at Zimbabwe’s 1980 independence celebrations, where Bob Marley and The Wailers also performed.

Osei’s commitment to promoting African music on the global stage has left an indelible mark on the international music scene.

In 2021, he told The Guardian He got into music because he “wanted to bring change to the African music scene”.

Osei said that without Osibisa, there would be no Fela Kuti, who is widely regarded as the godfather of Afrobeat.

His contribution serves as a cultural bridge, connecting diverse audiences through the universal language of music.

“Osibisa gave Africans confidence in their music,” Osei once said, reflecting on what he considered his greatest achievement.

His death marks the end of an era, but his musical innovation and the path he blazed for African artists will live on, continuing to inspire and resonate for generations to come.