Jimmy to play in Accra?

Remember Jimmy Beckley? He’s been absent from the Ghanaian music scene for a while. “I am coming to town in August, and would like to let my fans know”, he served notice this week in an email the Ghanaian media. “As you well know, I am looking forward to my trip, since I have been away five years. I am really hoping that I can play some music.” His stay in the U.K., he says has been quite a “journey” for him. He says he has missed his Ghanaian music making environment, “which was, and still is my world, and though I did set up some goals, my stay in Britain found me yearning for that special brand of music – that’s what Jimmy's Jazz Combo was all about.” Jimmy says after all these years, he has become a realist: “The truth is, although there is an established/organised music industry in the West, there is no place better than home. My mission is unchanged, harnessing our wealth of God-given talent, and making an impact on the world. I plan to be back home on a regular basis, after my visit in August. My three week trip will enable me to link up with my fans, and check out all the things that I have missed!”

He said he would be more “down to earth” performing in the community, including schools, workplaces, community centres, churches and more; in other words, “looking at music from a different perspective…music as a factor for education, cohesion and therapy, as well as music for identity, discipline, and good old fun!”