*Jon K* born Jonathan Opoku was born on December 20, 1955 in Accra. He was educated at Adisadel college, in preparation for a career in law. In the 1980s, when much of Ghanaian music was dominated by western pop, the producer *Jon K*, pushed the boundaries of the indigenous hi-life form to embrace the technological flair of soul and funk. He produced Ben Brako's *Baya* (1987), one of the fastest selling and most popular hi-life albums. *Jon K* nurtured his musical talents, as a pianist and bass guitarist, in a string of student groups. The band leader *Eddie Quansah* then took *Jon K* under his wing as pianist and arranger. He toured Britain in the late 1970s, but his band failed to emulate the Afro-rock success of *Osibisa,* and returned home. *Jon K* left to record his influential first album, Adowa (1987), with *Dave Yowell,* the Kenyan-born British producer. Together they created *hi-tec hi-life - fusing traditional rhythms and soul music.* This was facilitated by Jon K's mastery of studio technology and his quest for a new sound. The Adowa album paved the way for the phenomenal success of Ben Brako's *Baya* (1987). In 1989, Jon K released *Asaboni*, which consolidated his reputation as one of the most exciting hi-life producers. It also established his north London *Sultan studios* as a laboratory for Ghanaian music. In London, *Jon K* played with the music and poetry outfit, *African Dawn, and Boombaya.* He toured his own band, *Tuntum,* and, following his work on *Ouaga*, a Channel 4 documentary on African cinema, began experimenting with film soundtracks. He returned to Ghana in the early 1990s to set up a television production company. Back in London in 1999, he completed his most ambitious project, a collaboration with the singer, *Nana Yaa*. A teetotaller and vegetarian, Jon K lived for his music. He passed on, on July 19,1999. He is survived by his wife and daughter. theguardian.com/news/1999/jul/28/guardianobituaries
Fantastic piece of music
True legend
Jon K..rest in peace...the TAXI DRIVER crew miss u...
*Jon K* born Jonathan Opoku was born on December 20, 1955 in Accra. He was educated at Adisadel college, in preparation for a career in law.
In the 1980s, when much of Ghanaian music was dominated by western pop, the producer *Jon K*, pushed the boundaries of the indigenous hi-life form to embrace the technological flair of soul and funk. He produced Ben Brako's *Baya* (1987), one of the fastest selling and most popular hi-life albums.
*Jon K* nurtured his musical talents, as a pianist and bass guitarist, in a string of student groups.
The band leader *Eddie Quansah* then took *Jon K* under his wing as pianist and arranger. He toured Britain in the late 1970s, but his band failed to emulate the Afro-rock success of *Osibisa,* and returned home. *Jon K* left to record his influential first album, Adowa (1987), with *Dave Yowell,* the Kenyan-born British producer. Together they created *hi-tec hi-life - fusing traditional rhythms and soul music.* This was facilitated by Jon K's mastery of studio technology and his quest for a new sound.
The Adowa album paved the way for the phenomenal success of Ben Brako's *Baya* (1987). In 1989, Jon K released *Asaboni*, which consolidated his reputation as one of the most exciting hi-life producers. It also established his north London *Sultan studios* as a laboratory for Ghanaian music.
In London, *Jon K* played with the music and poetry outfit, *African Dawn, and Boombaya.* He toured his own band, *Tuntum,* and, following his work on *Ouaga*, a Channel 4 documentary on African cinema, began experimenting with film soundtracks.
He returned to Ghana in the early 1990s to set up a television production company. Back in London in 1999, he completed his most ambitious project, a collaboration with the singer, *Nana Yaa*.
A teetotaller and vegetarian, Jon K lived for his music. He passed on, on July 19,1999. He is survived by his wife and daughter.
theguardian.com/news/1999/jul/28/guardianobituaries
Oh Yaw, you are missed.., hearing your voice makes me sad, but proud .. rest preacefully
c 1987