Gyedu-Blay Ambolley: Difference between revisions

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{{lead too long|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Gyedu-Blay Ambolley
| name = Gyedu-Blay Ambolley
| image = Gyedu-Blay Ambolley on sax.jpg
| image = Gyedu-Blay Ambolley on sax.jpg
| background = solo_singer
| caption =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1947}}
⚫
| birth_place =
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1947}}
| origin = [[Sekondi-Takoradi]], [[Ghana]]<br>[[Los Angeles]], United States
⚫
| birth_place =
| origin = [[Sekondi-Takoradi]], [[Ghana]]<br>[[Los Angeles]], United States
| genre = {{hlist|[[Highlife]]|[[Afrobeat]]|[[Afro pop music|Afropop]]|[[jazz]]}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Saxophonist|bass guitarist|guitarist|composer|percussionist|singer|band leader|arranger|record producer|}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Highlife]]|[[Afrobeat]]|[[Afro pop music|Afropop]]|[[Jazz]]}}
| years_active = Early 1970s–present<ref name="Saskia Bosch, Belinda van de Graaf, Sandra Kooke, Peter van der Lint, Stan Rijven, Seije Slager">Saskia Bosch, Belinda van de Graaf, Sandra Kooke, Peter van der Lint, Stan Rijven, Seije Slager [http://www.trouw.nl/tr/nl/4324/Nieuws/article/detail/1122589/2010/08/31/Rappen-Dat-deed-Ambolley-al-in-1973.dhtml Rappen? Dat deed Ambolley al in 1973]. {{in lang|nl}} August 31, 2010</ref><ref name="Nick Dwyer">{{cite web|url=http://www.redbullmusicacademy.com/lectures/gyedu-blay-ambolley-living-the-highlife|title=Red Bull Music Academy|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref>
| occupation = {{hlist|Saxophonist|Bass Guitarist|Guitarist|Composer|Percussionist|Singer|Band Leader|Arranger|Record Producer|}}
| years_active = Early 1970s–present.<ref name="Saskia Bosch, Belinda van de Graaf, Sandra Kooke, Peter van der Lint, Stan Rijven, Seije Slager">Saskia Bosch, Belinda van de Graaf, Sandra Kooke, Peter van der Lint, Stan Rijven, Seije Slager [http://www.trouw.nl/tr/nl/4324/Nieuws/article/detail/1122589/2010/08/31/Rappen-Dat-deed-Ambolley-al-in-1973.dhtml Rappen? Dat deed Ambolley al in 1973]. {{in lang|nl}} August 31, 2010</ref><ref name="Nick Dwyer">{{cite web|url=http://www.redbullmusicacademy.com/lectures/gyedu-blay-ambolley-living-the-highlife|title=Red Bull Music Academy|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref>
| label = {{blist|Essiebons Records<ref name="Essiebons Records">{{cite web|url=http://www.clear-spot.nl/item/424365/honny_the_bees_band_gyedu_blay_ambolly_the_steneboofs_psychedelic_woman_.html|title=CLEAR SPOT|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref>|Wea International<ref name="discogs.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Gyedu-Blay-Ambolley-Ambolley/master/945796|title=Gyedu Blay Ambolley - Ambolley|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref>|Dix Records|Simigwa}}
⚫
| associated_acts = {{hlist|[[Fela Kuti]]|[[Ebo Taylor]]|[[Uhuru Dance Band]]|[[Osibisa]]|[[E. T. Mensah]]}}
| label = {{blist|Essiebons Records<ref name="Essiebons Records">{{cite web|url=http://www.clear-spot.nl/item/424365/honny_the_bees_band_gyedu_blay_ambolly_the_steneboofs_psychedelic_woman_.html|title=CLEAR SPOT|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref>|Wea International<ref name="discogs.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Gyedu-Blay-Ambolley-Ambolley/master/945796|title=Gyedu Blay Ambolley - Ambolley|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref>|Dix Records|Simigwa}}
⚫
| website = {{URL|www.ambolley.com}}
⚫
| associated_acts = {{hlist|[[Fela Kuti]]|[[Ebo Taylor]]|[[Uhuru Dance Band]]|[[Osibisa]]|[[E. T. Mensah]]}}
⚫
| website = {{url|www.ambolley.com}}
}}
}}


'''Gyedu-Blay Ambolley''' is a Ghanaian [[highlife]] musician, songwriter, producer, and composer. The first musician from Ghana to formally incorporate rap forms into local highlife rhythms, Ambolley created the musical genre Simigwa.<ref name="african dream long bio">{{cite news|last1=Nikansah|first1=Rexford|title=Gyedu Blay-Ambolley on Simigwado and highlife history|url=http://www.theafricandream.net/gyedu-blay-ambolley-talks-highlife/|accessdate=15 June 2016|work=The African Dream|date=July 18, 2013}}</ref>
'''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.<ref name="african dream long bio">{{cite news|last1=Nikansah|first1=Rexford|title=Gyedu Blay-Ambolley on Simigwado and highlife history|url=http://www.theafricandream.net/gyedu-blay-ambolley-talks-highlife/|accessdate=15 June 2016|work=The African Dream|date=July 18, 2013}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley was rather unknown outside of West Africa until [[Soundway Records]] included his seminal [[Simigwa-Do]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theafricandream.net/gyedu-blay-ambolley-talks-highlife/ | title=Gyedu Blay-Ambolley on Simigwado and highlife history | publisher=TheAfricanDream.net | accessdate=4 December 2019}}</ref> which Ambolley released in 1973, on their first anthology, [[Ghana Soundz]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Various-Ghana-Soundz/release/513164|title=Various - Ghana Soundz|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref> Ambolley’s sound has led many to label him the godfather of [[hiplife]], the fusion of the hip hop and highlife <ref name="Nick Dwyer" /> idioms. Ambolley stood aside [[AL Threats]] at the Playboy Jazz Festival in Los Angeles.His song Simigua-do is considered the first 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]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/west-africa-blay-ambolley-by-aaj-staff.php?id=2053&pg=2&page=1|title=West Africa: Blay Ambolley|first=All About|last=Jazz|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.modernghana.com/music/8768/ambolley-releases-hi-life-jazz.html|title=Ambolley Releases Hi-Life Jazz|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref> music.
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley was rather unknown outside of West Africa until [[Soundway Records]] included his seminal Simigwa-Do,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theafricandream.net/gyedu-blay-ambolley-talks-highlife/ | title=Gyedu Blay-Ambolley on Simigwado and highlife history | publisher=TheAfricanDream.net | accessdate=4 December 2019}}</ref> which Ambolley released in 1973, on their first anthology, ''Ghana Soundz''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Various-Ghana-Soundz/release/513164|title=Various - Ghana Soundz|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref> Ambolley's sound has led many to label him the godfather of [[hiplife]], the fusion of hip hop and highlife<ref name="Nick Dwyer" /> 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]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/west-africa-blay-ambolley-by-aaj-staff.php?id=2053&pg=2&page=1|title=West Africa: Blay Ambolley|first=All About|last=Jazz|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.modernghana.com/music/8768/ambolley-releases-hi-life-jazz.html|title=Ambolley Releases Hi-Life Jazz|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref> music.


== Achievements ==
== Achievements ==
In June 2015 Ambolley received a citation in the USA from the City Council of Philadelphia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theafricandream.net/ambolley-attends-odunde/|title=Ambolley citation - TheAfricanDream.net|publisher=|accessdate=11 July 2016}}</ref> 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.
In June 2015 Ambolley received a citation in the US from the City Council of Philadelphia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theafricandream.net/ambolley-attends-odunde/|title=Ambolley citation - TheAfricanDream.net|publisher=|accessdate=11 July 2016}}</ref> 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==
==Awards==
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* Africa-American History Award — MWEPC, Los Angeles, CA (2001)<ref name="peacefmonline.com"/>
* Africa-American History Award — MWEPC, Los Angeles, CA (2001)<ref name="peacefmonline.com"/>
* Afrikan Music Award — Los Angeles, CA (2002)<ref name="peacefmonline.com"/>
* Afrikan Music Award — Los Angeles, CA (2002)<ref name="peacefmonline.com"/>
* Malcom X Music Festival Award — Los Angeles, CA (2002)<ref name="peacefmonline.com"/>
* Malcolm X Music Festival Award — Los Angeles, CA (2002)<ref name="peacefmonline.com"/>
* Lifetime Achievement Award — The Jazz at Drew from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA (2003)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://groovesharks.org/artist/Gyedu%20Blay%20Ambolley|title=Gyedu Blay Ambolley - Grooveshark - Free Music Streaming|first=|last=Jodacame|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref>
* Lifetime Achievement Award — The Jazz at Drew from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA (2003)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://groovesharks.org/artist/Gyedu%20Blay%20Ambolley|title=Gyedu Blay Ambolley - Grooveshark - Free Music Streaming|first=|last=Jodacame|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref>
* Congressional, Gubernatorial Certificate of Special Recognition — Congresswoman Juanita Millinder McDonald (2003)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radioafrika.over-blog.com/2014/04/femua-2014-gyedu-blay-ambolley.html|title=FEMUA 2014: Gyedu-Blay Ambolley - RADIO AFRIKA|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref>
* Congressional, Gubernatorial Certificate of Special Recognition — Congresswoman Juanita Millinder McDonald (2003)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radioafrika.over-blog.com/2014/04/femua-2014-gyedu-blay-ambolley.html|title=FEMUA 2014: Gyedu-Blay Ambolley - RADIO AFRIKA|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref>
* 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<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/la-weekly-music-awards-2003-2136440|title=L.A. Weekly Music Awards 2003|first=John|last=Payne|date=22 May 2003|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref> and 2004 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/lawma-2004-2138312|title=LAWMA 2004|first=John|last=Payne|date=27 May 2004|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref>
* 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<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/la-weekly-music-awards-2003-2136440|title=L.A. Weekly Music Awards 2003|first=John|last=Payne|date=22 May 2003|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref> and 2004<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/lawma-2004-2138312|title=LAWMA 2004|first=John|last=Payne|date=27 May 2004|publisher=|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/entertainment/2018/March-7th/media-has-killed-highlife-music-ambolley.php|title=Gyedu-Blay Ambolley: Media has killed highlife music - 07-03-2018|last=Amoofia|first=Maxwell|work=Myjoyonline.com}}</ref>{{Authority control}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Ambolley, Gyedu-Blay}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ambolley, Gyedu-Blay}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Ghanaian highlife musicians]]
[[Category:Ghanaian highlife musicians]]
[[Category:Ghanaian male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Ghanaian male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Ghanaian singers]]
[[Category:1947 births]]
[[Category:1947 births]]
[[Category:20th-century Ghanaian male singers]]

Latest revision as of 04:07, 30 August 2023

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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