Accra's +233 Jazz Bar and Grill will host a star-studded highlife concert on September 26, 2026, to celebrate Pat Thomas' 80th birthday. Ten renowned performers, including Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Pozo Hayes, and Kwabena Kwabena, will share the stage, backed by the Bessa Band. This event promises to be one of the most memorable highlife line-ups in recent Ghanaian music history. Pat Thomas, known as the Golden Voice of Africa, has had a remarkable career spanning decades. His contributions to Ghanaian music have made him a legendary figure.
Pat Thomas' career has been instrumental in shaping highlife, a genre that originated in Ghana in the early 20th century. Highlife blends traditional Akan melodies and rhythms with Western instrumentation, such as guitars and brass. Thomas' journey through various groups, including the Uhuru Band, Sweet Beans, Marijata, and the Kwashibu Area Band, has left behind a catalogue of iconic songs still widely played today. These songs include Momma Menka Bi, Yesu San Bra, Gyae Su, Mensei Da, Medo Wiase, and Sika Ye Mogya, which have become fixtures of Ghanaian life.
The concert will feature a diverse lineup of artists from different eras of Ghanaian popular music. Alongside Pat Thomas, performers like Obrafour, Wutah Afriyie, Akosua Agyepong, Ben Brako, Bessa Simons, and KK Fosu will take the stage. This gathering of artists across different musical eras highlights the interconnectedness of Ghana's highlife and hiplife traditions. The event offers a unique opportunity for fans to see hiplife pioneers like Obrafour sharing a stage with veteran highlife performers.
Turning 80 is a significant milestone for any working musician, and even rarer for one still active in Ghana's public life. This concert provides fans with a chance to see Pat Thomas honoured while he is still able to enjoy the tribute himself. For younger Ghanaians, the event offers an unusual opportunity to experience highlife pioneers like Obrafour and Gyedu Blay Ambolley sharing a stage.
The +233 Jazz Bar and Grill in Accra will host the concert on September 26, 2026. Although details such as ticket prices and door times have not been specified, fans can expect further information from the venue closer to the date. This event is expected to be a memorable celebration of Pat Thomas' contributions to Ghanaian music.
Highlife has weathered competition from genres like Afrobeats, reggae, soul, and R&B over the years, but musicians like Pat Thomas have helped keep it central to Ghana's musical identity. His willingness to keep performing, whether based in Accra or working abroad, has kept his voice familiar to generations of fans.
The concert marking Pat Thomas' 80th birthday is a testament to his enduring legacy in Ghanaian music. With a career spanning decades, Pat Thomas remains an iconic figure in Ghana's music scene. The event will not only honour his contributions but also showcase the rich musical heritage of Ghana.
Key points
- Pat Thomas to be honoured at a star-studded concert in Accra on September 26, 2026.
- The concert will feature ten renowned Ghanaian musicians, including Gyedu Blay Ambolley and Kwabena Kwabena.
- The event celebrates Pat Thomas' 80th birthday and his significant contributions to Ghanaian highlife music.
