A London-based Ghanaian freelance drummer, arranger and composer, Frankie Tontoh has stated that as far as he is concerned the Ghanaian music industry today has witnessed a lot of progress, compared to some years back.
Frankie Tontoh, who is currently in the country on a short visit, said hiplife and highlife musicians alike are doing a great job in promoting Ghanaian music to the outside world.
According to him, songs on various Ghanaian albums had been well packaged by artistes, not only for the Ghanaian market but the entire African continent and the world at large.
He said he was highly impressed about the improvement in the Ghanaian music industry, and the performances of most of musicians had also enhanced the image of the music industry to the outside world.
Speaking in an interview with Beatwaves, Frankie Tontoh said Ghanaian music had the potential of earning millions of dollars from the world market, adding that if the necessary structures were put in place for effective administration, promotion and distribution, the benefits would be significant.
He said he had realized that the style of Ghanaian musicians had changed and that all the musicians were fusing their songs with traditional rhythms to make them unique on the music market.
Frankie Tontoh, who is the son of Mac Tontoh of Osibisa fame, began his musical career at the age of 14.
He told Beatwaves that as jazz was his father’s choice of music, he developed the habit of listening to jazz music stars like Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan among others, to develop his musical skills.
“My earliest drumming influence though, was Harvey Mason, having heard George Benson’s “Breezin” & “In Flight” albums.
Later on, I went back to listening to ‘straight ahead’ players like ‘Philly’ Jo Jones, Art Blakey, Max Roach & Tony Williams. The one drummer who changed the way I ‘thought’ about drumming was Steve Gadd. I heard him on Chuck Mangione’s “XI Commandment” & decided that this was the way ahead as far as I am concerned”.
After studying privately with a couple of teachers, Frankie Tontoh returned to the piano and did two years study at the Trinity College of Music in UK. He played in several bands with his close friend Courtney Pine, including disco group Hi-Tension.
He added that in 1982, he performed alongside Osibisa, touring extensively around the world for 4 years. In 1986 he formed the Jazz Warriors with Courtney Pine, and later formed his own group, Desperately Seeking Fusion, influenced by fusion giants of the time, John Scofield, Mike Stern & Weather Report.
Frankie Tontoh indicated that in 1989, one of his friends, Tim Goldsmith recommended him to pop/folk singer Tanita Tikaram. He then joined Scottish-Indie band Aztec Camera for 3 years.
Since 1994, he had played for the following: Level 42, Omar, Carleen Anderson, Mica Paris, Zucchero, Al Green, Conner Reeves, D Note, Workshy, BB Mak, Edwyn Collins, Gary Barlow, Incognito, Lewis Taylor and a host of others.
In 1996, Frankie worked with George Michael on his MTV Unplugged concert, which led to 1999’s “Songs From The Last Century” CD.
“Since September 2000, I have been RnB/UK garage superstar Craig David’s musical director. I’ve toured & recorded with him for 6 years now.
“Currently, I have a solo project called ‘Celebration Of Life’ with an album called ‘Black Is The Colour’, ready to come out soon.”
