Gyedu Blay-Ambolley
Gyedu Blay-Ambolley has been honoured for his outstanding achievements and contribution towards the growth of the Ghanaian music industry at the third edition of an event dubbed ‘Dinner With The Stars’, organised by Oak Plaza Hotels.
The event, which was held to celebrate the musician as a living legend for his great contribution to the nation’s music industry, brought together people from all walks of life, including celebrities and Ambolley’s friends.
Celebrated musicians such as Mary Ghansah, Diana Hopeson, Amandzeba, Pozo Hayes, Bessa Simons, among others, were at the event to show their solidarity to legend Ambolley.
According to the organisers, Gyedu Blay Ambolley is a true legend who needs to be celebrated while alive, highlighting that he is one of the people who has kept and lived the Ghanaian tradition as far as music is concerned.
After receiving his award and various souvenirs from the sponsors of the event, Gyedu Blay-Ambolley thanked the management of Oak Plaza Hotel for the honour.
The event also witnessed performances from selected musicians like Ambolley himself, who surprised the audience with his energetic performances while interacting with them.
Highlife musician K.K Fosu was the first artiste to be honoured at the event held on December 30, 2016, followed by Amandzeba, who was also honoured on August 4, 2017.
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley is one of the veteran highlife and Afro-jazz musicians in the country with international recognition.
He burst onto the scene over four decades ago with ‘Simigwa’, a jazzy highlife style that virtually worked its way into the hearts of music fans in the country and beyond.
He is the first musician from Ghana to formally incorporate rap forms into local highlife rhythms.
The veteran artiste has performed on various stages with some of the world’s most celebrated artistes like Miriam Makeba and the late Afro-beat king, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
Gyedu Blay- Ambolley has 31 albums to his credit and has received numerous musical awards like the Lifetime Achievement Award by The Jazz at Drew from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA.