The burial mass of renowned Ghanaian musician and saxophonist Teddy Osei, a founding member of the iconic Afro-rock band Osibisa, will be held on Saturday, April 5, at St. Peter’s Basilica, Roman Hill, Kumasi, at 9:00 a.m.
Prior to the mass, he will be laid in state at his family house in Chirapatre, Kumasi, at 8:00 a.m. The burial will follow at the Chirapatre Royal Cemetery on the same day.
A thanksgiving service will take place on Sunday, April 6, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Chirapatre, followed by final funeral rites from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the family house.
The distinguished music icon passed away at the age of 88 on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
Born in Kumasi, Osei was introduced to musical instruments as a child and began playing the saxophone while attempting to form a band with his college friends in Sekondi.
After graduating from college, he worked as a building inspector for a year before forming “The Comets,” a band that enjoyed brief popularity. In 1962, he traveled to London on a Ghanaian government grant to study at a private music and drama school for three years. However, a regime change in Ghana forced him to leave the program.
In 1969, he founded Osibisa along with other musicians. The band gained international fame in the 1970s before experiencing a decline, though it continues to perform today.