E. T. Mensah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
E. T. Mensah
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| Birth name | Emmanuel Tettey Mensah |
| Born | 31 May 1919 Accra, Gold Coast |
| Died | 19 July 1996 (aged 77) Mamprobi, Accra, Ghana |
| Genres | Highlife |
| Associated acts | The Tempos |
Emmanuel Tettey Mensah, known to many as E. T. Mensah, was a famous musician from Ghana. He was born on May 31, 1919, and passed away on July 19, 1996. People called him the "King of Highlife" music.
E. T. Mensah led a very popular band called The Tempos. This band traveled and performed all over West Africa. His music helped make highlife a well-known style around the world.
His Early Life
E. T. Mensah was born in Accra, which was then called the Gold Coast. This was in West Africa. He started school in Accra and later went to Accra High School.
When he was 12, he learned to play the flute in his school band. In 1932, he also started playing the piccolo and flute in the Accra Orchestra. This orchestra was made up of talented schoolchildren. The band leader, Joe Lamptey, helped young musicians like Mensah. E. T. Mensah also learned to play the alto-saxophone. He even opened a pharmacy to help pay for his music projects.
E. T. Mensah had an older brother named Yebuah Mensah. Yebuah was also a band leader in the Gold Coast. Together, the brothers formed the Accra Rhythmic Orchestra. In 1939, their band won a dance competition. This competition was held at the King George Memorial Hall, which is now the Parliament House in Ghana.
The Tempos Band
The original "Tempos" band started in 1946. It was a "jam session" group formed by European soldiers in Accra. They played music for army dances and at the Accra club. Over time, African musicians joined the band. Eventually, it became a band made up only of African musicians.
E. T. Mensah joined The Tempos in 1947. Soon after, the band broke up for a short time. But it was quickly reformed with Mensah as its new leader. The band became very famous around the world. In 1957, E. T. Mensah even performed with the legendary American musician Louis Armstrong.
Later Music Career
The highlife music style became less popular in the 1960s. However, E. T. Mensah continued to make music for many years. He worked with the Nigerian trumpeter Dr Victor Abimbola Olaiya. They released a very successful album together.
E. T. Mensah is remembered as a pioneer of highlife music. His influence helped shape the sound of West African music for generations.
His Music Albums
- E. T. Mensah & The Tempos
- King of Highlife Anthology, a four-CD collection (2015, RetroAfrica)
- Contributing artist (He played on these albums)
- The Rough Guide to West African Music (1996, World Music Network)
- The Rough Guide to Highlife (2003, World Music Network)
