George Spratz serves Highlife in Togo
George Spratz wears many hats in the field of music and his teaching skills were at the fore on July 15, 2023 when he led a workshop on highlife guitar styles in Lome, Togo.
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Highlife is strongly identified with Ghana and West Africa. When Togolese businessman and musician Komivi Randolph of US Originals store in Lome felt it important to help promote the genre by equipping more musicians with the requisite playing techniques, he fell on George Spratz for the necessary guidance.
That was how come about 40 guitar players from Togo, Benin and Ghana met in Lome to participate in the workshop on highlife rhythms and how the musical style can be sustained for posterity.
George Spratz explained how despite the onslaught of many attractive approaches from elsewhere, Highlife musicians can still hold their own with innovative ideas on how to blend the traditional with the contemporary. He also touched on how to embellish Highlife grooves through improvisation.
“The workshop was planned to be a two-hour session but it was so exciting, everyone stayed on for about four hours,” George Spratz said about the programme.
According to him, the workshop sponsor now wants similar sessions held in Nigeria, Benin and Togo again to get more West African musicians to be world-beaters at Highlife at all times.
As part of his trip to Lome, George Spratz was a special guest at this year’s Elevation live Christian worship programme on July 16. The man is also an ordained pastor with the Gentle Ministry and Prayer Camp in Kumasi and was a guest to observe and comment on the show.
George Spratz (left) with Togolese singer Mawuto Tetey at the Elevation concert
Well-known Togolese singer, gospel recording artist, worship leader and songwriter, Mawuto Tetey was one of the performers at the thrilling concert.
George Spratz commented at the end of Elevation 2023 that it was a beautiful Christian programme that must be supported by all who can, to go global.
Mentored by the famous Agya Koo Nimo, George Spratz has gained global attention through his many Youtube lessons on Highlife and the various ways to play it.
He was grateful to Komivi Randolph of US Originals store for sponsoring his trip to Togo and the opportunity also to perform for children at the ADEPOMA orphanage run by Ocloo Komla Golovi in Lome.
