Koo Nimo recording: 50th National Folk Festival (Lowell, MA), 1988

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Amponsah, Daniel, 1934-
Title
Koo Nimo recording: 50th National Folk Festival (Lowell, MA)
Dates
1988
Quantity
1 videotapes  :  1 vct (VHS (NTSC), color); Duration: 00:23:00
Collection Number
1998016
Summary
Footage of Koo Nimo and his ensemble Adadam Agofomma in performance at festival; includes drum/dance ensemble, palm wine group, and interview with Koo Nimo. Recorded at the 50th National Folk Festival, Lowell, Massachusetts; donated to Archives by Koo Nimo (copied from his copy).
Repository
University of Washington Ethnomusicology Archives
University of Washington
Ethnomusicology Archives
Box 353450
Seattle, WA
98195-3450
Telephone: 2065430974
ethnoarc@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Access is restricted.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Daniel "Koo Nimo" Amponsah, is an Asante "living legend" who performs the old and the new traditions of Ghana. His music brings to life the meaning of the Sankofa image, a symbolic bird of Asante, looking backwards with one foot forward to the future. Koo Nimo's musical background began at age nineteen when he was teaching drumming, guitar and brass band music in his village of Foase. Trained in chemistry, he worked at the University of Science and Technology in Kumasi as chief laboratory technician until his retirement in 1998. During this time he was an active musician and public figure, and was also the first Ghanaian to produce a compact disc of his music, Osabarima. In 1957, the year of Ghana's independence, he formed "Adadam Agofomma" (Going Back to Roots) ensemble. He was the president of the Musicians Union for 10 years and became a recipient of the Grand Medal for Lifetime Service to Ghana from the Head of State. Koo Nimo has been a source of inspiration for many musicians through the force of his character and his creative blend of Ghanaian musical forms, Spanish guitar style, and jazz chord progressions. He has performed internationally, at Lincoln Center in New York, Australia, U.S. and Britain. He can also be seen in several documentaries: "Crossing Over", "Repercussions" and the latest, "Dr. Gates's Travels through Africa".

- University of Washington School of Music Adowa Music and Dance flyer, May 22, 2000

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Title on box (Koo Nimo's copy): "Raw Footage: Ko Nimo at 50th National Folk Festival, Lowell, MA."

Produced by Page One Productions, 371 E. Merrimack St., Lowell, MA 01852; (508) 441-1750.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Description
1998016-0001
1 videotape : VCT; Tracks: 1
Picture unstable at start until @1 minute.Festival in 1988 (according to Koo Nimo). Contents: 00:00 - 08:00 - Palm wine music 8:00 - 14:00 - Drum/dance music 14:00 - 15:40 - Palm wine music 15:40 - 17:40 - Drum/dance music 17:40 - 22:00 - Koo Nimo interviewed (female interviewer not visible) 22:00 - 23:00 - shots of crowd; ensemble taking bows.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Concerts
  • Dance--Ghana
  • Drums (Musical instruments)
  • Ethnomusicology
  • Folk music festivals
  • Music festivals
  • Music festivals--United States
  • Music--Ghana
  • Palm Wine Music

Corporate Names

  • National Folk Festival (U.S.)

Geographical Names

  • Africa
  • Ghana
  • Traditional Ghana
  • West Africa

Form or Genre Terms

  • Interviews
  • Interviews
  • Video recordings

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Amponsah, Daniel, 1934- (prf)
    Corporate Names
    • Adadam Agofomma (prf)