When the name Rev. John Teye Memorial School is mentioned, one thing stands tall. And that is music.

The school, situated on the Nsawam Road, is noted for grooming children on various musical instruments like the percussion, keyboards, guitars, trumpet, drums, saxophones and other traditional instruments.

They have performed at various national and international events. Recently, the school’s jazz quintet (JT Jazz) featured in a concert at the Headlines Hospitality, Labone in Accra.

JT Jazz comprises Joseph Akiti, 16, (drums), Emmanuel John-Teye, 17, (keyboard), Philip Klinogo, 19, (bass), Rudolph Kwaku, 15, (trumpet) and Janet Yeboah, 18, (vocals and trumpet).

They were on stage by courtesy of the Jazz Society of Ghana, whose president, Dr Sam Mensah, expressed delight that this country had such a crop of young, talented players.

The group’s repertoire is built around re-arranged jazz and gospel music as well as its own compositions.

Klinogo, hugging a six-string electric bass guitar, was extremely adept and showed traces of some of the instrument’s greatest players.

He thumbs, picks and slaps the strings in a way that makes it all seem so easy to do. He is a very good player and stands out as the strongest soloist in the group.

John-Teye is cool and confident on keyboards. He has very swift finger work and appears to have a general music knowledge.

Akiti who works busily around his drum set is obviously the kingpin in the group. His dexterity on the drums gives the band a unique identity.

Kwaku took a few solos but it was evident that he and Janet are still maturing as trumpeters. In fact Janet was more expressive when she sang the gospels.

The John Teye School made its mark long ago with gospel music and it appears no matter the other forms of music that come on board, gospel will always be an intrinsic part of their music.

JT Jazz has an impending tour to Holland and Germany in July. Before then, a show has been arranged to exhibit the package for the tour.

That would be a wonderful opportunity for those who missed the headlines show to catch a glimpse of the group perform before their departure.