Ebo Taylor honoured by Ghanaian university

The citation, presented by the institution’s Department of Music Education, School of Creative Arts, lauds Taylor as a “prominent figure in Ghana’s music history,” adding that while he “may not have been a pioneer of the big band highlife tradition, but his contributions as a composer, arranger, guitarist and producer have been instrumental in its evolution.

“Your involvement in influential highlife bands like Stargazers and the Broadway Dance bands in the late 1950s and early 1960s is a testament to your dedication to the music industry.”

Reacting to the recognition, Taylor wrote on Facebook: “I had fun and, more importantly, I had the privilege of sitting down to watch and listen to gratifying performances of my compositions by the Pop Ensemble of the Department of Music. Thanks, University of Education, Winneba.”

Taylor, a key figure in Ghana’s highlife scene of the 1950s, led multiple bands before leaving for London in 1962 to study. Upon returning to Ghana, he played a pivotal role at the Essiebons label, working with renowned artists and crafting his distinctive blend of traditional Ghanaian music with Afrobeat, jazz, and funk influences. Taylor gained international recognition with albums like Love and Death (2008), Appia Kwa Bridge (2012), and Yen Ara (2018).

A 2019 Music In Africa Honorary Award winner, Taylor is also a past winner of the Music Legend of the Year trophy at the Exclusive Men of the Year Africa Awards.

The latest accolade follows Taylor’s performance at the opening ceremony of the just-ended African Games 2023 in Accra, where he shared the stage with longtime collaborator Pat Thomas.

The musician is also due in Europe from 11 May to 16 August as part of his spring and summer 2024 tour. Taylor kicks off his tour in France, with performances scheduled at the Nuits Sonores Festival in Lyon, Cabaret Sauvage in Paris, and Le 106 in Rouen. He’ll then travel to FestiValle 2024 in Agrigento, Sicily, Italy, and Hootananny in London, before concluding at the Gilles Peterson-founded We Out Here festival in Wimborne, UK.