E. T. Mensah

The Tempos' bandleader E.T. Mensah with fellow highlife musician Victor Olaiya.
Image: Photographer not named by source; published by Music In Africa; Music In Africa; accompanying album review by Ed Keazor. CC BY-NC 4.0. Source.

Summary

E. T. Mensah (1919–1996), born Emmanuel Tetteh Mensah, was a Ghanaian instrumentalist, composer and bandleader associated with the dance-band development of highlife. His career with the Tempos helped carry that music across national borders.

Life and career

He learned flute and piccolo at school in Accra and joined the Accra Orchestra in 1932. Alto saxophone work in several orchestras preceded his return to Accra and the Tempos in 1947. Decca recording began in 1952; 'Ghana Freedom Highlife' marked independence in 1957. A 1969 British tour included recording in London.

Music and style

Mensah's ensemble brought local dance forms into conversation with swing-band organization, jazz, Latin music and calypso. The RetroAfric anthology notes identify Fela Kuti among the younger musicians affected by his example. That influence concerned touring bands and arrangements as well as individual songs.

Works and performances

The King of Highlife – African Rhythms documents the London sessions. The later King of Highlife Anthology gathers recordings from a much larger career, including material originally issued on 78 rpm discs. Together they offer ways to follow the changing recorded sound of a dance orchestra over time.