The International Jazz Day concert in Accra turned into a long but engaging night of music. It took place on April 30, 2026, at +233 Jazz Bar & Grill.
The biggest moment came when the Ghana Jazz Orchestra made its first public appearance. The event formed part of global celebrations. In Accra, the focus stayed on local talent. Many young musicians also took part.
A strong first showing
The Ghana Jazz Orchestra drew a lot of attention before it came on stage. The group has a full brass and rhythm section. It includes trumpets, trombones, saxophones, bass, drums, piano and percussion. Victor Dey Jr. led the band.
They played five songs. These included works by Pat Metheny, Marcus Wyatt, Bernard Ayisa, Lee Morgan and Weather Report. The players showed some nerves at first. They settled down quickly. They then delivered a solid performance.
Ayisa’s composition stood out. Trombonist Eli Amewode opened it with Ewe chants. The rest of the band joined with handclaps. The crowd responded well.
Plans for expansion
Ayisa also serves as the group’s coordinator. He said the orchestra will be launched officially soon.He added that the goal is to build a 30-member band. The aim is to create a leading African jazz orchestra.
The Jazz Brothers opened the show. Their quintet played a smooth set. Each member had time to shine. The performance stayed simple and tight. The GHJazz Collective also performed. They brought some young players on stage. This showed the growth of new jazz talent in Ghana.
Veteran Gyedu-Blay Ambolley performed with his Sekondi Band. He played highlife-inspired jazz. His set included works by Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane. He kept a low profile but still connected with the audience.
A fitting finale
Keyboardist Carl Amoah’s 10-piece West Coast Ebusua Band rounded off another well-attended. International Jazz Day celebration here with their mature, multi-layered sound.
