Three youthful performers of IndigenAfrika

A number of traditional and contemporary music groups in Ghana have over the past several years been engaged in a quest to prove the power and capabilities of indigenous African musical instruments.

Consequently, a number of compositions and re-arrangements have in recent times taken the country by storm as various groups continue to showcase their creations during festivals, state sponsored functions and concerts.Last week, IndigenAfrika, a youthful group based at the National Theatre, delighted the eyes and ears of a multi racial audience in Accra with re-arrangements of some popular musicians and composers.

These include the Paris based Camerounian saxophone wizard, Manu Dibango, reggae legend Bob Marley, Duke Ellington, Freddie Meiway, Miriam Makeba, Prof. Kwabena Nketia, Stevie Wonder, Sony Rollins and Prince Nico Mbarga.

IndigenAfrika also thrilled the audience with refreshing compositions by the renowned Ghanaian sculptor and composer Saka Acquaye, Tettey Addy, Nana Boateng Acheampong, Oscar Sana and Afotey Odai.

With a 29 piece Ensemble comprising atenteben flutists alongside fontonfrom, atumpan, kpanlogo, conch shell and xylophone players, these young boys and girls managed to strip bare the music of these great composers thereby leaving only the skeletons in the process. Indeed, the group turned the evening into one of an African celebration with wild African drum beats and sweet voices from young girls who appeared to sing from the bottom of their hearts.

Interspersed with acrobatic displays, the concert also unearthed a wealth of talent among Ghanaian youth thus reviving the need to re-introduce music into the curriculum of basic schools.The performance in Accra forms part of a tour of some regions in Ghana which is being sponsored by the French Embassy and the Alliance Francaise.

Dubbed “2004 Afrikan Classics Tour”, the group has played in the Ashanti, Western and Central regions. The group is scheduled to entertain guests at the 2004 edition of the annual Yam Festival in the Volta regional capital, Ho.