Gyedu-Blay Ambolley

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley on sax.jpg
Background information
Born1947 (age 73–74)
OriginSekondi-Takoradi, Ghana
Los Angeles, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Saxophonist
  • Bass Guitarist
  • Guitarist
  • Composer
  • Percussionist
  • Singer
  • Band Leader
  • Arranger
  • Record Producer
Years activeEarly 1970s–present.[1][2]
Labels
  • Essiebons Records[3]
  • Wea International[4]
  • Dix Records
  • Simigwa
Associated acts
Websitewww.ambolley.com

Gyedu-Blay Ambolley is a Ghanaian highlife musician, songwriter, producer, and composer. The first musician from Ghana and the world to formally incorporate rap forms into local highlife rhythms, Ambolley created the musical genre Simigwa.[5]

Career[]

Gyedu-Blay Ambolley was rather unknown outside of West Africa until Soundway Records included his seminal ,[6] which Ambolley released in 1973, on their first anthology, .[7] Ambolley’s sound has led many to label him the godfather of hiplife, the fusion of the hip hop and highlife [2] idioms. Ambolley stood aside at the Playboy Jazz Festival in Los Angeles.His song Simigua-do is considered the first rap in the world released in 1973 . Ambolley, and Ebo Taylor are the few musicians who envisioned a future for high-life music in the late 60s and early 70s and helped transform the genre fusing high-life, funk and jazz[8][9] music.

Achievements[]

In June 2015 Ambolley received a citation in the USA from the City Council of Philadelphia,[10] read by Council woman; Honorable Jannie Blackwell and Hon. Stanley J. Staughter in recognition of the musician’s contributions to Ghanaian music in the USA.

Awards[]

  • Most Consistent Artist — Ghana (1980)[11]
  • Album and Song of the Year — Ghana (1990)[11]
  • Trend Music Awards — Ivory Coast (1997)[11]
  • Africa-American History Award — MWEPC, Los Angeles, CA (2001)[11]
  • Afrikan Music Award — Los Angeles, CA (2002)[11]
  • Malcom X Music Festival Award — Los Angeles, CA (2002)[11]
  • Lifetime Achievement Award — The Jazz at Drew from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA (2003)[12]
  • Congressional, Gubernatorial Certificate of Special Recognition — Congresswoman Juanita Millinder McDonald (2003)[13]
  • Best World Beat Recombinant Artist 2003 & Best World Beat Recombinant Artist 2003 L.A. Weekly nominated Ambolley for Best World Beat Recombinant Artist in 2003[14] and 2004 [15]

References[]

  1. ^ Saskia Bosch, Belinda van de Graaf, Sandra Kooke, Peter van der Lint, Stan Rijven, Seije Slager Rappen? Dat deed Ambolley al in 1973. (in Dutch) August 31, 2010
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Red Bull Music Academy". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  3. ^ "CLEAR SPOT". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Gyedu Blay Ambolley - Ambolley". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  5. ^ Nikansah, Rexford (July 18, 2013). "Gyedu Blay-Ambolley on Simigwado and highlife history". The African Dream. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Gyedu Blay-Ambolley on Simigwado and highlife history". TheAfricanDream.net. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  7. ^ "Various - Ghana Soundz". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  8. ^ Jazz, All About. "West Africa: Blay Ambolley". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  9. ^ "Ambolley Releases Hi-Life Jazz". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  10. ^ "Ambolley citation - TheAfricanDream.net". Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f "Peace FM Online ::: Print News".
  12. ^ Jodacame. "Gyedu Blay Ambolley - Grooveshark - Free Music Streaming". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  13. ^ "FEMUA 2014: Gyedu-Blay Ambolley - RADIO AFRIKA". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  14. ^ Payne, John (22 May 2003). "L.A. Weekly Music Awards 2003". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  15. ^ Payne, John (27 May 2004). "LAWMA 2004". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
Retrieved from ""