SpecialX
Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana | INDIE
Music
Press
The management of Steve Bedi, who is the ace saxophonist in the music scene in Ghana and one of the finest this country has ever produced, has officially announced that Steve Bedi’s album would be launched on May 27, 2011 at the +233 Jazz Club located on the Ring Road.
Steve Bedi, who is the most sought-after saxophonist in the country today, has performed and collaborated with legends like trumpet virtuoso and music legend Hugh Masekela, master African percussionist Isaac Okyerema Asante and Wutah, to mention a few.
The Chief Executive of Scratch Studios, Kofi Amoakohene, the brain behind the album, told BEATWAVES in an interview that the launch of the new album was designed to promote Steve Bedi, his work and incorporate him into the international and socio-cultural development of Africa and other parts of the world. He explained that the event was expected to attract a large number of stakeholders in the music industry, fans of Steve Bedi, musicians, among others.
He was optimistic that the album was going to lift the declining level of good quality music in the country and Africa in general. He was hopeful that the work of Steve Bedi would challenge other jazz musicians to lift their standards.
Based on his outstanding achievement since he joined the music industry a couple of years back, Steve Bedi was featured on the Ben Brako/Scratch Studios World Bank sponsored project, the ‘Dream Child’ single. Steve’s maiden album titled ‘Syncos Jazz’ was produced by Kofi Amoakohene, CEO of Scratch Studios Entertainment, a multimedia production studio for live music recording, films and events management.
Steve Bedi, born in Sunyani but hails from the Volta region of Ghana, West Africa, is the last of nine children and has been playing the saxophone since the age of 7. He has appeared on many platforms as far as music is concerned and has performed with the legendary Hugh Masekela, Sonti Ndebele, Gina West (A songstress from the UK), among others.
On the local front, Steve had the opportunity to perform with almost all the top music stars like Kojo Antwi, Rex Omar, Amandzeba, Gyadu Blay Ambolley, Ben Brako, Bessa Simons, and Paulina Oduro among others. In the Gospel music circles, he has performed with Stella Aba Seal, Amy Newman, Josh Laryea, Suzy and Matt, Francis Adjei and others.
He also worked and performed with Hiplife artistes like Ofori Amponsah, Kwabena Kwabena, Batman Samini, Tictac, Okyeame Quame, Nana Kontihene, Becca and others. Steve is well-known for his smooth, passionate and tactical ability in playing the saxophone and that makes him loved by many.
He has featured on many music albums both on the secular and gospel music scene and some of his works on hit songs like ‘Kotosa’ (Wutah), ‘Gyegyeme su’ (Awura Esi) among others, has made him more popular on the scene, as well as the sax version of Nana Boro`s ‘Aha Ye De’.
He has been on other international platforms like ‘Joy of Jazz’ festival (South Africa), ‘Les Escales’ music festival (France), ‘Ballanta’ music festival (Sierra Leone) and other parts of Europe.
He also shared the stage with the Ivorian music icon Fredie Meiway at the Miss Ghana 2010 and Osibisa at +233 in Accra. Steve Bedi’s subtle blend of soul, swing, traditional Ghanaian and African music fused with the jazzy style of his saxophone playing has been described as a welcome and refreshing contribution to Ghana’s music scene.
The great Teddy Osei of Osibisa fame acknowledges Steve as a world class Jazz musician and has given his word to assist Steve all the way. Among the plans is to arrange for him to play at a world renowned Jazz Café in London which has hosted not just many but the top bracket jazz musicians of the world.
Teddy described Steve as one who develops genuinely exciting African Jazz rhythms that is appealing to most Europeans and a level of play that’s comparable to the jazz legends of America.
Source: Daily Guide - The Ghanaian Daily Guide
Steve Bedi, who has been acknowledged as a world class Jazz musician, last Friday, May 27, launched his maiden jazz musical album, ' Syncos Jazz', at the +233 Jazz Club in Accra.
The well patronized event saw hundreds of music fans and popular personalities Kofi Okyere Darko aka KOD, Kwabena Kwabena, Gyedu Blay Ambolley and many others in attendance.
The album launch attracted hundreds of music lovers who trooped to the +233 Jazz Calub to witness the official launch of the much awaited album.
The launch, which was a star-studded affair, saw underground and popular stars mounting the open air stage to entertain patrons.
Steve Bedi, who performed creditably at the launch, held the audience spellbound with his music and electrifying dance steps.
Steve Bedi is the most sought-after saxophonist in the country to date and has performed and collaborated with legends like Hugh Masekela, trumpet virtuoso and music legend; Isaac Okyerema Asante, master African percussionist and Wutah, to mention a few.
Steve develops genuinely exciting African Jazz rhythms which are appealing to most Europeans, and a level of play that's comparable to jazz music legends of America.
The Chief Executive Officer of Scratch Studios, Kofi Amoakohene, who produced the album, said that he was eager to help develop the music industry in Ghana.
He told this writer that his outfit was ready to contribute towards the changing trend of Ghanaian music by providing top quality services including recording facilities for audio and video productions, rehearsal rooms, instruments and a 400-sitter venue for live performances.
By George Clifford Owusu - The Ghanaian Daily Guide
The management of Steve Bedi, who is the ace saxophonist in the music scene in Ghana and one of the finest this country has ever produced, has officially announced that Steve Bedi’s album would be launched on May 27, 2011 at the +233 Jazz Club located on the Ring Road.
Steve Bedi, who is the most sought-after saxophonist in the country today, has performed and collaborated with legends like trumpet virtuoso and music legend Hugh Masekela, master African percussionist Isaac Okyerema Asante and Wutah, to mention a few.
The Chief Executive of Scratch Studios, Kofi Amoakohene, the brain behind the album, told BEATWAVES in an interview that the launch of the new album was designed to promote Steve Bedi, his work and incorporate him into the international and socio-cultural development of Africa and other parts of the world. He explained that the event was expected to attract a large number of stakeholders in the music industry, fans of Steve Bedi, musicians, among others.
He was optimistic that the album was going to lift the declining level of good quality music in the country and Africa in general. He was hopeful that the work of Steve Bedi would challenge other jazz musicians to lift their standards.
Based on his outstanding achievement since he joined the music industry a couple of years back, Steve Bedi was featured on the Ben Brako/Scratch Studios World Bank sponsored project, the ‘Dream Child’ single. Steve’s maiden album titled ‘Syncos Jazz’ was produced by Kofi Amoakohene, CEO of Scratch Studios Entertainment, a multimedia production studio for live music recording, films and events management.
Steve Bedi, born in Sunyani but hails from the Volta region of Ghana, West Africa, is the last of nine children and has been playing the saxophone since the age of 7. He has appeared on many platforms as far as music is concerned and has performed with the legendary Hugh Masekela, Sonti Ndebele, Gina West (A songstress from the UK), among others.
On the local front, Steve had the opportunity to perform with almost all the top music stars like Kojo Antwi, Rex Omar, Amandzeba, Gyadu Blay Ambolley, Ben Brako, Bessa Simons, and Paulina Oduro among others. In the Gospel music circles, he has performed with Stella Aba Seal, Amy Newman, Josh Laryea, Suzy and Matt, Francis Adjei and others.
He also worked and performed with Hiplife artistes like Ofori Amponsah, Kwabena Kwabena, Batman Samini, Tictac, Okyeame Quame, Nana Kontihene, Becca and others. Steve is well-known for his smooth, passionate and tactical ability in playing the saxophone and that makes him loved by many.
He has featured on many music albums both on the secular and gospel music scene and some of his works on hit songs like ‘Kotosa’ (Wutah), ‘Gyegyeme su’ (Awura Esi) among others, has made him more popular on the scene, as well as the sax version of Nana Boro`s ‘Aha Ye De’.
He has been on other international platforms like ‘Joy of Jazz’ festival (South Africa), ‘Les Escales’ music festival (France), ‘Ballanta’ music festival (Sierra Leone) and other parts of Europe.
He also shared the stage with the Ivorian music icon Fredie Meiway at the Miss Ghana 2010 and Osibisa at +233 in Accra. Steve Bedi’s subtle blend of soul, swing, traditional Ghanaian and African music fused with the jazzy style of his saxophone playing has been described as a welcome and refreshing contribution to Ghana’s music scene.
The great Teddy Osei of Osibisa fame acknowledges Steve as a world class Jazz musician and has given his word to assist Steve all the way. Among the plans is to arrange for him to play at a world renowned Jazz Café in London which has hosted not just many but the top bracket jazz musicians of the world.
Teddy described Steve as one who develops genuinely exciting African Jazz rhythms that is appealing to most Europeans and a level of play that’s comparable to the jazz legends of America.
- The Ghanaian Daily Guide
Discography
Debut Album: Syncos Jazz
Streaming: Praise His Name
Radio airplay: Scratchy Groove
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
The Special 'X' originated from Accra the capital city of Ghana with only 3 members, Saxophone, Keyboards and Bass guitar. After showcasing these wonderful talents on a couple of private parties, the trio headed to one of the best jazz clubs in the city called the 'Jazz Tone' where they performed songs from the genres of Rhythm and Blues, Jazz Standards, Smooth Jazz and African music every Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays. They also performed on a TV reality shows as a carpet band for four(4) seasons and became popular by the name Master Mix band and had such a great following and became the most sort after jazz trio in the city.
One year later, the leader of the band Steve Bedi became a bit unhappy as the name Master Mix took over the original band name Special 'X' so he decided to start up with something new by composing and writing his own contemporary African jazz melodies so as to redefine the band's name and it's direction in different a perspective and to be identified as an african contemporary jazz band. During the rehearsals and recording session of their first song 'The Heart Beat', in 2007 other session musicians who played a part in the recording became intetested in joining the band and finally became a five (5) piece band until lately it became a (7) member band. Their kind of musical renditions and arrangements are beautiful and so soothing that many are always awed and spell bound when the group is performing. Some of the audience said on one of their performances on "African Legends Night" in 2012 which headlined the Trumpet Virtuoso Hugh Masekela and I quote: What! This is a great Ghanaian band which must be on a world music platform.
The Special 'X' has been the eye opener for many contemporary bands currently and also played on many music albums for many music artistes in Ghana. They also played a vital role in the success of Steve Bedi (band leader) who is currently the most sort after saxophonist/jazz artiste in Ghana and also made great impacts on other music platforms in West Africa. The Contemporary Jazz music album 'Syncos Jazz' was Steve Bedi's maiden album. Followed by his latest, 'Shades Of My Reality' was recorded by various musicians including the 'Special X' band. They also recorded some cover versions of popular Ghanaian songs as well as Beyonc Knowles "Crazy In Love".
They have been together since with great support to each other and have not broken up though Steve Bedi the leader of the band has now become the Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS-Ghana Protect the Goal Campaign against HIV and AIDS. I have no doubt about this group of fantastic musicians making a very great mark on any music platform around the world.
Band Members
Links
