Seal67: The African Guitar Sorcerers

Needless to say these gentlemen form the elite of the African Guitar legacy.

I have written previously on the advent on the Guitar as an Instrument into Africa and its pride of place as an instrument of musical expression, spawning musical heroes who rest in the legend of contemporary African musical history.

I cannot even pretend that this list is exhaustive, however this is an attempt to give due credit to genuine heroes of this genre, who span over 80 years of African musical history, from the Igbo Justus Domingo, Fanti- George Williams Aingo and the ferociously talented mixed race Ashanti- Frank Essien in the 20's on to the 30's with Irewolede Denge and Tunde King, the 40's with Kwaa Mensah and Ambrose Campbell. The 50's and 60's which witnessed an explosion in the use of the Guitar, with continental stars like- Fatai Rolling Dollar. Julius Araba, Wendo, Dr Nico, Picollo, Koo Nimo, T.O.Jazz, Kayode Fashola, on to present day superstars like Baba Maal, Agboola Shadare, Keziah Jones, Oscar Elimbi et al.

The Guitar has taken on a near spiritual significance in African music, rivalled only by the Drum and these gentlemen herein are the exponents of this phenomenon.

On account of the sheer work involved in putting this together, I would ask for your indulgence in completing this article in instalments. I shall add full summaries under each individual entry as time goes on.