Renowned highlife singer Ebo Taylor has been honoured and honoured by the Department of Education, School of Creative Arts at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) for his outstanding contributions to the development of Ghana’s music business.
The exceptional influence that Ebo Taylor had on the growth of highlife and “world” music is recognised by the department with an honorary citation.
It emphasises how he shaped Ghana’s popular music industry as a composer, arranger, guitarist, and producer.
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Although he may not have been the pioneer of the big-band high-life style, Ebo Taylor, a well-known character in Ghanaian music history, has made significant contributions to the genre’s development as a composer, arranger, guitarist, and producer.
“Your commitment to the music industry is demonstrated by your participation in significant highlife bands such as Stargazers and the Broadway Dance Bands during the late 1950s and early 1960s.”
The citation affirms that Ebo Taylor is the best guitarist in Ghana and highlights his humility as well as his ability to combine different guitar-playing styles from his peers.
“We extend our deepest respect and honour to you as the Department of Education, School of Creative Arts, University of Education, Winneba,” the citation said.
Ebo Taylor was born on January 7, 1936, and has won multiple accolades for his outstanding arrangements and compositions.
Among his noteworthy honours are the In Africa Honorary Award, the Legendary Award at the 2021 EMY Awards, and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ghana Awards UK in 2021.
His honours include the In Africa Honorary Award at the 2019 ACCES, the Legendary Award at the 2021 EMY Awards, the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 Highlife Awards, and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 Ghana Awards UK.
Among his other honours are the Legend of the Year award from the 2019 Ghana Business Awards, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the 2014 Vodafone Ghana Awards, the Konkoma Award for “Best Arranger” from the 1997 Ghana Awards, and the Cultural Ambassador’s Award from the Bokoor African Popular Archives Foundation (BAPMAF) and the Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy, which he received in 2005.
