Blending European and African-American styles with traditional African
patterns, highlife music was the soundtrack of the independence era. Its
influence still resonates today. Highlife Giants is an intimate
portrait of the pioneering artistes of West Africa's music scene from
the 1920s onwards. It contains interviews with stars including Victor
Uwaifo and Ignace De Souza, revealing behind-the-scenes moments such as
Louis Armstrong giving Eddie Okonta a trumpet with a golden mouthpiece.
Professor John Collins is a guitarist, harmonica player, and
percussionist who has worked with musicians including E.T. Mensah and
Fela Kuti. He has authored over one hundred journalistic and academic
publications.