On September 22, music lovers, will gather to celebrate one of Ghana’s greatest musicians, Sol Amarfio who will be celebrating his 80th birthday at the famous +233 Jazz Bar and Grill at Ridge, Accra.
For the uninitiated, Sol, is a founding member of the world famous Osibisa, the Afro-Caribbean group that created her own unique music in the 1970s which it called ‘criss cross rhythm that explodes with happiness.’
It was Sol along with Teddy Osei and Mac Tontoh that originally formed the group to be joined by others like Del Richardson, Kofi Ayivor and Kiki Gyan to create the groove that made them a household name in the 1970s to the 80s. Osibisa went to go on to achieve a massive following and chart success in the UK, India where they enjoyed cult status.
Popularly called the Rhythm Man in his teenage years, the self-taught Amarfio, apart from touring with them has been credited with some of the band’s greatest hits like Woyaya, Fire will burn you, Celebration, Welcome home among many others. He also extensively travelled with the band where his acute sense of rhythm kept everyone dancing.
Performing alongside the rhythm master that night will be Kwabena Kwabena, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Trigmatic, Paulina Oduro, Amandzeba, Nii Amarkai I (Amarfio’s brother who is also a drummer), Kofi Ayivor and the Bessa Band.
According to the organisers, Sol will perform some new compositions dedicated to world peace at the show.
On September 22, the new generation of Ghanaians who have never seen him perform will be privileged to watch and dance to the drums of one of the heroes of Ghana music, Sol Amarfio of Osibisa fame.
By Kafui Gale-Zoyiku
