George Lee

Ghanaian saxophonist, composer, session musician and band leader born 8th January 1938 in Ghana - died 18th September 2008 in Johannesburg, South Africa Lee began his long career in the international music industry at 18, when as a band leader, he was selected to take his band on tour with Louis Armstrong during the jazz trumpeter/singer's famed visit to Ghana in 1956. A side of the debut single Sea Shells was adopted as the theme tune of the popular long running BBC TV arts programme Ebony soon after its UK release. As horns arranger and session musician, Lee often worked with Bob Marley in London and America. His songs have been recorded by artists in many parts of the world including Johnny Nash, Chris McGregor; and a range of singers from Ghanaians in Germany, to Nigerians in London, Americans in Canada and Mozambicans in South Africa. George has also ventured into the world of film when he appeared as a performer/songwriter and producer in the Hollywood blockbuster A Good Man in Africa starring Sean Connery. He moved to South Africa in 1990. In May 2007 he was diagnosed with ALS and passed away not long after.