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 whohas worked with musicians including E.T. Mensah and Fela Kuti. He has authored over one hundred journalistic and academic publications.