Owurasax: the saxophonist by heart

It's a new day and a sunlight to bring to you Dennis Prempeh, commonly referred to by his stage name, Owurasax, is a talented musician who displays his heart and gratitude with the vocal breaths he infuses into his saxophone.

Born in Kumasi, Dennis OwuraSax, by age 17, had become the youngest pianist to join an adult jazz combo band called The Royal Jazz Combo, led by popular TV star Frank Butah. The Royal Jazz Combo became a resident jazz combo band at Manhyia Palace for His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu and performed in many hotels within Ghana.

Realising all the opportunities and wonderful experiences with the band, Dennis discovered a deeper passion for the saxophone, the instrument that so encompasses his everyday life. He was guided and coached by some great Ghanaian musicians like Agya Koo Nimo, Frank Butah, Kwame Chief, Akwasi Butah, Osei Tutu, Teddy Osei and many others. As he journeyed into the hands of the veteran Frank Butah, he became the youngest saxophone player in Ghana and had great music opportunities.

Owurasax recalls the journey beginning at the age of eight when he used to follow his mother, a singer, to church. By age 9, he was already playing drums and the piano. But while he continued to play these two instruments as he matured as a musician, neither moved his heart the way the saxophone did – and still does. To date, whenever he hears the saxophone being played live or on a record, it always inspires excitement in his spirit.

One distinction he loves most about the saxophone, he says, is that he is able to breathe life into the instrument in order to produce its sound.

"The saxophone has a distinct sound that is very emotional, and one can easily express or experience great feelings with it at any time," he says, adding that this quality of the saxophone is in contrast to non-wind instruments such as the keyboard, drums, and guitar, which do not give him that same feeling.

As a Ghanaian, the African culture has strongly influenced Owurasax's sound and music style. Yet he compares his sound to no one, even though musical artists like The Rumblers, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Stan Getz, Gerald Albright, Kenny G, Kirk Whalum and many others have influenced his passion for music.

“My music mainly incorporates the percussion because of its rhythm, giving it my own signature,” he says. “I believe that music is a style of nature so what I embody from my present environment is oftentimes what I display. I don't put myself in a box.”

Dennis has shared the same platform with popular artists such as Kirk Whalum, Alvin Slaughter, Uche Agu as well as many others. He has also played in many jazz pubs and centres in the country.

As a background musician, he has performed and recorded with Ghanaian artists like Becca, Okyeame Kwame, Stella Dugan, Sonnie Badu, Yaw Sarpong, Nana Acheampong, Ernest Opoku, and Hanna Marfo.

Owurasax believes music is a gift from God unto mankind for the purpose of making this earth a beautiful-sounding place to live in in its fullness. He says music has really helped him because with it, he has been able to contribute his gift and talent to the world – and in doing so, he feels incredibly fulfilled.

“I am doing what I love to do best, and people are always full of joy,” he says.

He says his vision is to bring souls alive with the sound of God's music through him breathing into the saxophone.

Currently, he has released an album with eight song tracks on it. Some of the songs include “Blessed Assurance”, “Sax Worship”, “Sax Praise”, and “Lord I Lift Your Name on High”.

When Owurasax isn't ministering, he's simply mastering his techniques on the saxophone, always looking for the latest equipment and dynamics to better enhance his sound. He also gives saxophone lessons to students and has produced many saxophone players from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.

He adds that “I also enjoy hanging out and swimming, but above all I’m just a regular guy with a genuine love for the sax.”

You can visit or watch him via YouTube and Facebook.