Gyedu-Blay Ambolley
| Gyedu-Blay Ambolley | |
|---|---|
 Gyedu-Blay Ambolley | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 1947 (age 68–69) |
| Origin |
Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana L.A., United States |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Years active | Early 1970s–present.[1][2] |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts |
|
| Website |
www |
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.[5]
In June 2015 Ambolley received a citation in the USA from the City Council of Philadelphia,[6] 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.
Career
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley was rather unknown outside of West Africa until Soundway Records included his seminal Simigwa-Do, 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 the hip hop and highlife [2] idioms. Ambolley stood aside AL Threats at the Playboy Jazz Festival in Los Angeles. 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.
Awards
- Most Consistent Artist — Ghana (1980)[10]
- Album and Song of the Year — Ghana (1990)[10]
- Trend Music Awards — Ivory Coast (1997)[10]
- Africa-American History Award — MWEPC, Los Angeles, CA (2001)[10]
- Afrikan Music Award — Los Angeles, CA (2002)[10]
- Malcom X Music Festival Award — Los Angeles, CA (2002)[10]
- Lifetime Achievement Award — The Jazz at Drew from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA (2003)[11]
- Congressional, Gubernatorial Certificate of Special Recognition — Congresswoman Juanita Millinder McDonald (2003)[12]
- 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[13] and 2004 [14]
References
- ↑ Saskia Bosch, Belinda van de Graaf, Sandra Kooke, Peter van der Lint, Stan Rijven, Seije Slager Rappen? Dat deed Ambolley al in 1973. (Dutch) August 31, 2010
- 1 2 "Red Bull Music Academy". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ↑ "CLEAR SPOT". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ↑ "Gyedu Blay Ambolley - Ambolley". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ↑ Nikansah, Rexford (July 18, 2013). "Gyedu Blay-Ambolley on Simigwado and highlife history". The African Dream. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
- ↑ "Ambolley citation - TheAfricanDream.net". Retrieved 11 July 2016.
- ↑ "Various - Ghana Soundz". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ↑ Jazz, All About. "West Africa: Blay Ambolley". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ↑ "Ambolley Releases Hi-Life Jazz". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Peace FM Online ::: Print News".
- ↑ Jodacame. "Gyedu Blay Ambolley - Grooveshark - Free Music Streaming". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ↑ "FEMUA 2014: Gyedu-Blay Ambolley - RADIO AFRIKA". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ↑ Payne, John (22 May 2003). "L.A. Weekly Music Awards 2003". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ↑ Payne, John (27 May 2004). "LAWMA 2004". Retrieved 5 July 2016.