I gravitate more towards South African jazz than Ghanaian, says Steve Bedi

Ghanaian jazz saxophonist, Steve Bedi, has said that although Ghanaian jazz is beautiful, South African jazz appeals more to him.

Speaking on Asaase Artsy on Saturday (2 November) Bedi said, “I just have to be blunt about it. Ghanaian jazz is beautiful but there is something about South African jazz.”

“I personally, as a musician, I’ve gravitated towards that for so long.”

Bedi added that South African trumpeter, singer and composer Hugh Masekela was one of his mentors.

“And having the opportunity to work with him [Hugh Masekela] also gave me a deep understanding of South African music,” he said.

“And trust me, what you asked, I’ll go for South African jazz. Not because I’m trying to be biased, you know, or I hate Ghanaian music. But the truth is, they have put so much into South African jazz to make it what it is today. 

According to Bedi, if Ghana could start over and redefine it highlife in a different way and put in the work, the money, and all of our resources, it would grow even more.

“So if we could also go back to the drawing board and be able to redefine, you know, our Ghanaian high life in a different spectrum, and put in the effort, put in money, put in all the resources we have, this would become as big and even more bigger.”

“Because when you look at the blend of South African jazz, or maybe South African music, alongside Ghanaian high-life music, there is a typical blend that, well, it’s only the musicians that see it.

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