Gyedu-Blay Ambolley

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Gyedu-Blay Ambolley
Background information
Born1947 (age 76–77)
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
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[edit]

Gyedu-Blay Ambolley was rather unknown outside of West Africa until Soundway Records included his seminal Simigwa-Do,[6] which Ambolley released in 1973, on their first anthology, Ghana Soundz.[7] Ambolley's sound has led many to label him the godfather of hiplife, the fusion of hip hop and highlife[2] idioms. Ambolley stood aside AL Threats at the Playboy Jazz Festival in Los Angeles. His song "Simigua-do" is considered the first Ghanaian version of previously introduced American rap in the world released in 1973. Ambolley, Sammy Lartey 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[edit]

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

Awards[edit]

  • 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]
  • Malcolm 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[edit]

  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. ^ 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. ^ 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.
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