Highlife

Highlife is a musical genre that originated in Ghana in the 1900s and spread to Sierra Leone, Nigeria and other West African countries by 1920. It is very popular in Liberia and all of English-speaking West Africa, although little has been produced in other countries due to economic challenges brought on by war and instability.

Highlife is characterized by jazzy horns and multiple guitars which lead the band. Recently it has acquired an uptempo, synth-driven sound (see Daddy Lumba). Joromi is a sub-genre.^[1][2]

Artists

Artists who perform the Highlife genre include:

• Koo Nimo
• AB Crentsil
• Dr. Sir Warrior
• S. E. Rogie
• Fela Ransome Kuti in his first band, Koola Lobitos
• Solomon Ilori
• George Darko
• Rex Lawson
• Prince Nico Mbarga
• E. T. Mensah
• Osibisa
• Daddy Lumba
• King Bruce
• Alhaji K. Frimpong
• Amakye Dede
• Victor Uwaifo
• Oriental Brothers International
• Bobby Benson
• Victor Olaiya
• Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe
• Baba Ken Okulolo

Highlife in jazz

• Saxophonist Pharoah Sanders recorded a song called "High Life" on Rejoice (1981)
• Pierre Dørge and his New Jungle Orchestra played in the highlife style, e.g. on Even The Moon Is Dancing (1985)
• Guitarist Sonny Sharrock had a song called "Highlife" on the album of the same name (1990)
• Craig Harris (trombone) had a song called "High Life" on the album F-Stops (1993)
• "High Life" is an album by jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter that was released on Verve Records in 1995.

References