I have left a big legacy - Ambolley

Veteran Ghanaian musician and songwriter Gyedu Blay Ambolley has said he has left a ‘big time legacy’ in the music industry in Ghana.

“I have left a big time legacy because when I am driving around or walking on the streets, I see school children – 12-years-old and young, who sing my praises and start singing my song “onam dadzie” and these are kids who were not born when I released those songs, so, for them to grow and come and meet this, it’s a legacy”, he said on Entertainment Capital on Accra 100.5fm Saturday May 14.

“It’s a big time legacy because it’s not easy to get this kind of reaction and reception. There are lots of musicians that can walk the streets and nobody will recognise them to even care about them. So, for me to be recognised by kids, it means there is something I have left”, he told host DJ Premier.

Asked if he has groomed any young talent in the industry with his over 40 years’ experience, Ambolley said he has not because his style of music was difficult to do.

“I have not groomed anybody yet because my style of singing is totally different from what others are doing. The songs that Amakye Dede, CK Man and Papa Yankson have done, other singers perform them easily, but my kind of song is difficult for them to sing”.

The "Simigwa Do” man’s interest in music started at the age of eight when he began playing with his father's flute until he was able to teach himself how to play. He started formal music training under the tutelage of "Uncle Bonku" who taught him how to play the guitar. He also had music lessons from the late Sammy Lartey and Ebo Taylor.

He has toured West Africa, Europe, Canada, and the United States with his “Simigwa Do” music and jazz music.

Ambolley has received numerous awards, prestigious among them include a "Lifetime Achievement Award" by Jazz at Drew from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California in 2003. Additionally, he received a Congressional, Gubernatorial Certificate of Special Recognition from Congress woman Juanita Millinder McDonald.