ACCLAIMED PERCUSSIONIST KWAKU KWAAKYE OBENG
AND DRUMMERS PERFORM ROYAL COURT DRUM MUSIC OF GHANA,
WELCOMING AUDIENCES TO THE ACOUSTIC AFRICAN MUSIC SERIES
FALL SEASON AT THE CORNELIA STREET CAFE
OCTOBER 11, 2003

The intricately interwoven rhythms of social and ritual drum music of Ghana, its sophistication, elegance, and energy will again grace the stage of the Cornelia Street Cafe, as the Acoustic African Music Series enters the Fall Season on October 11th. Drummer, teacher, and seasoned performer Kwaku Kwaakye Obeng (KKO) and his ensemble will roll out the red carpet for New York audiences, as they perform the powerful music of the Ashanti Royal Court and Gã drum traditions from Central and Southern Ghana.

A long-time member of the Ghana National Arts Council Folkloric Troupe, KKO possesses a far-reaching knowledge of the rich and varied music and dance traditions of Central and Southern Ghana. By the age of 17 he was made a Royal Court Drummer, and was soon thereafter touring Ghana and the world. His performance combines an intimate palette of tones coaxed from hand drums with accompanying rhythms, melodies, and harmonies of bells, hand and stick drums, shakers, rattles, and vibrant vocals. The individual parts are woven into a larger mix, creating richly textured musical conversations.

The Ashanti royal court and the Asantahene, or king, are symbolically, culturally, and politically important to this day. The music of the Royal Court, or kete music, is complex and polyrhythmic, and many rhythms and drums have a direct correlation to spoken language. The drums call people to council meetings and to war, they play for celebrations, religious festivals, and for entertainment. The Asantahene recognizes each drum and knows the language and the drum calls.

The Ashanti are part of the Akan ethnic group, one of the largest in Ghana. Akan society has been highly influential throughout Central and Southern Ghana. The traditional lands of the Akan border those of the Gã, and this has lead to a complex and historical relationship of cultural exchanges and shared resources between the two peoples, sometimes friendly and sometimes not. Political systems, religious and family structures, and spiritual practices contain many similarities, and since drumming and singing are an integral part of these aspects of life in Ghana, their musical traditions have also been greatly influenced by one another. KKO’s performance at the Café will feature several pieces that emphasize this interplay.

In both Akan and Gã society, drummers serve a vital role, linking people, ancestral spirits, and traditional and popular cultures. The music and instruments have a specific relationship to the religious practices of the people, and in many places, drummers also serve as historians and political advisors.

KKO's musical talents, tastes, and background, however, are also marked by fusions of Ghanaian drumming with jazz and reggae. He has released a number of solo albums, which are experiments in Afro-Jazz fusions, and he has played alongside such legends as Roy Hargrove, Max Roach, Anthony Braxton and Randy Weston. KKO's performance has delighted New York audiences most recently at Celebrate Brooklyn!

This fourth installment of the Acoustic African Music Series continues the successful monthly series produced by Where’s the 1? Productions. As in the first three concerts, this event promises to be amazing and unique. The next event in this series is scheduled for November 8, when the Fula Flute Ensemble will perform their highly unique fusions of Guinean flute music and kora-driven Griot grooves.

All concerts are held at the Cornelia Street Café, 29 Cornelia Street, between Bleeker and West 4th at the A,C,E,F,V West 4th subway stop or the 1,9 Christopher Street stop. Performance times are 8:30 PM and 10:30 PM. Tickets cost $10 per show plus a one-drink minimum. Doors open 15 minutes prior to show times. Please call 212-989-9319 for ticket reservations.

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