Jazz acts record tribute to late Paapa Yankson

Pryce had met Paapa Yankson years ago and told the highlife man he would play some of his music in a different genre. “I promised Papa when we met, that I was going to replay some of his songs in smooth jazz format someday so am glad to be keeping this promise,” he said in an interview.

Before his death, Paapa Yankson had released over a dozen albums, becoming an influential artist in the process. His death at 73 caused a remembrance of his older songs. Pryce learned of his death “while I was vacationing in Ghana. As a jazz guitarist, I decided to express my condolence in a musical eulogy in collaboration with the very talented Dela Botri (Flute) and Frank Kissi (Drums).”

The tribute song is a recording of Paapa Yankson hit ‘Tena Me Nkyen’, a love song delivered as a conversation between a man played by Paapa Yankson and a woman played by Pauline Oduro. “I love music, especially jazz and I play it leisurely, but this song ‘Tena Me Nkyen’ is particularly very dear to me and those I produced it with…Long live Paapa Yankson and his music,” said Pryce, who performed the song at the popular +233 Jazz Bar and Grill.

Speaking about his collaborators, Pryce said, “They all are legends in their own respects and I personally feel this was our heartfelt send off for Paapa.”

Listen to the tribute version of ‘Tena Me Nkyen’ here.