Highlife great, Ebo Taylor, gave a feel of what patrons of Citi FM’s Music of Ghanaian Origin (MOGO) Festival, should expect at the main event on March 5, 2016, at the Alisa Hotel Ridge Arena.
Ebo DeRoy Taylor, who was the first to perform at the Nights with Music Greats at the +233 Jazz Bar and Grill to open this year’s MOGO festival, performed exceptionally well to the admiration of the audience.
“I am glad to be here to celebrate with Citi FM” he said in an interview with Kojo Akoto Boateng.
Among the many old hits the band performed, was a new track titled ‘Bra’. The 80-year old Ebo Taylor, who does not wish to hold a walking stick, performed some great tunes with his Saltpond City Band.
“You don’t believe it? I am 80 and I’m not ready to hold a walking stick,” said Mr. Taylor.
Ebo Taylor’s son, who is a member of the band, got hold of the mic at a point, to prove that music also runs through his blood.
In a performance that was interspersed with an interview that delved deeper into the life of the artiste, Ebo Taylor, told Citi FM’s Kojo Akoto Boateng that his parents wanted him to be a doctor but he followed his passion.
The musician, composer and producer, with over ten albums, also revealed that he once produced Highlife legends C.K Mann and Jedu Blay Ambolley.
Coincidentally, Ambolley was part of the audience at +233 on the night.
The known guitarist, who has played with several bands such as the Star Gazer and Broadway Bands over the years, announced in the interview that he will be touring the world for a concert this April.
“I worked with a lot of bands because I was a producer. Highlife music is flexible” Ebo Taylor said.
The Nights with Music Greats continues on Tuesday March 1 with Bob Pinodo and K.K. Kabobo on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.
Amakye Dede and others
Legendary Highlife musician, Amakye Dede, is expected to set the Alisa Hotel Ridge Arena on fire on Saturday March 5, when he takes his turn at the Citi FM Music of Ghanaian Origin (MOGO) Awards. The MOGO Awards climaxes the week-long festival.
Amakye Dede is expected to give his best performance yet, after the recent fatal accident that killed his manager.
The ‘Iron Boy’ and his band would treat the audience to his collection of timeless hit songs on a night when musicians who have excelled in the past year would be honoured. Other great musicians to perform on the night include Bessa Simons, Ebo Taylor and Bob Pinodo.
MOGO Awards
Awards to be presented on the night include the MOGO Artiste of the Year, MOGO Song of the Year, MOGO Best Song Writer, MOGO Best Performer, MOGO Best Band/Group, MOGO Best producer and MOGO Best Collaboration.
The rest are MOGO Best Male Act, MOGO Best Female Acts, MOGO Album of the Year and the coveted and revered MOGO Lifetime Achievement Awards.
In all ten (10) awards would be given out to deserving individuals and groups.
In addition, some outstanding legends, whose contributions to the Ghanaian music industry have brought great gains to the highlife genre, would be honoured with the lifetime achievement awards.
The MOGOFestival 2016 is powered by Citi 97.3 FM, sponsored by the National Lottery Authority and Rehoboth Properties and supported by Alisa Hotels and the +233 Jazz Bar and Grill.
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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AfanyiDadzie