September 2008
Channel O is to award iconic Ghanaian musician George Lee with its highest honour – the Channel O Music Video Awards Special Recognition award.
Lee will receive the award at the 2008 ceremony on October 9th and will join other Special Recognition award-winners Oliver Mtukudzi, Zola, Hugh Masekela and the late Enoch Sontonga and Fela Kuti in being honoured for his outstanding contribution to the African music industry.
“George Lee has had a remarkable life and music career that stands as a real inspiration to musicians all over the continent,” comments Yolisa Phahle, Channel O’s General Manager.
“What is most striking when you look at George’s life is that he remains largely unknown outside of those who really consider him a musical genius and we hope that by honouring him with a Special recognition award George’s life and work will take the spotlight that it deserves.”
Born Kwame Narh Kojo Larnyoh, Lee began his long career in the international music industry when, as an 18-year-old band leader, he was selected to take his band during Louis Armstrong’s visit to Ghana in 1956.
Lee’s prodigious talent was quickly noticed and he was soon touring Nigeria, returning to his homeland several years after Ghana’s independence in 1957. On his return Lee was selected by the then President Kwame Nkrumah to attend Ghana's prestigious arts and culture school for six months before being sent to the World Fair in Berlin Germany as one of Ghana’s cultural emissaries.
With Lee at the forefront, the famed Ghana Messengers played an eclectic mix of traditional music, high life and jazz during their 60’s European sojourn. Much to the surprise of visitors to the World Fair the Ghanaian musicians daily exchanged their traditional kente cloth and drums, for tuxedos and brass instruments to execute the international popular jazz tunes of the day with equal flair and skill.
Since then George's illustrious career path had taken him on stages, in theatres, in recording and television studios all over the world until 1986 when he decided to bring his skills and resources back home to Africa. This move followed an inspirational big band tour to Mozambique in 1984. On his return to London Lee formed Anansi and the band hit the mark with its first single, ‘Sea Shells’ which was adopted as the theme tune of the popular long running BBC TV arts programme 'Ebony' soon after its UK release .
Lee is multi-talented, equally at home singing, songwriting, performing, playing a variety of instruments and mentoring African talent – including multi-award winner Jimmy Dludlu who is a protégé of Lee’s and as a teenager, spent 18 months living with Lee in Swaziland.
Lee’s fame has never been confined to his home country or even the African continent: As a horns arranger and session musician, Lee often worked with the legendary Bob Marley in London and America.
Just check out the tenor sax solo on Natty Dread and you will hear George’s horn loud and clear! His songs have been recorded by artists in many parts of the world including American Johnny Nash, South African Chris McGregor in France; and a range of singers from Ghanaians in Germany, to Nigerians in London, Americans in Canada and more.
In addition, he led over a hundred cross cultural drummers at the 1994 inauguration of President Nelson Mandela in Pretoria as well as performing at the World Festival of Sacred Music in Cape Town, during the Dalai Lama’s visit in 1999.
Alongside his illustrious music career, George has also ventured into the world of film when he appeared as a performer/songwriter and producer in the Hollywood blockbuster A Good Man in Africa starring Sean Connery.
In May 2007 George was diagnosed with ALS, a terminal motor neuron disease also known as Lou Gehrigs.
“The fact that George is facing a serious illness makes it all the more important to honour his life and his work,” says Phahle. “This is truly one of the most important and emotional awards that Channel O has ever given out.”
The 2008 Channel O Music Video awards take place on Thursday 9 October 2008 in Johannesburg at Carnival City and will be broadcast Thursday 23 October on Channel O (DStv Channel 320).
Fans also stand the chance to win great prizes this year. Double VIP tickets - which include flights and accommodation – to the awards event, four Casio keyboards, a Playstation 3, three watch sets and four cash prizes of US$1000 are up for grabs when anyone votes in the Channel O Music Video Awards.
Viewers across Africa will be able to vote for the winner in the 13 different categories - excluding the Special Recognition category - until 24 September. They can vote via SMS, using the number +27 83 920 8400 (standard international SMS rates will apply) or cast their votes for free on the Channel O website [www.channelo.tv] - where all the nominees’ videos are loaded, giving fans a great chance to refresh their memories about just which artist deserves the ultimate accolade!
