Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Koo Nimo collection, Undated
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Amponsah, Daniel, 1934-
- Title
- Koo Nimo collection
- Dates
- Undated
- Quantity
- 16 items : EC: 2000-13.1, 2000-13.8-10 - 4 vcts (stereo, color); 2000-13.2-4 - 3 DATs (digital, stereo); 2000-13.5-7 - 3 audio cassettes (Type II); 2000-13.11-16 - 6 CDs (digital, stereo); Duration: 13:00:00
- Collection Number
- 2000013
- Summary
- Collection includes copies of recordings from the personal collection of Daniel Amponsah ("Koo Nimo"), copied for the Archives at his request during his residency at the University of Washington's Ethnomusicology department, 1998-2000.
- 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
2000-13.1 EC: Archives copy made from Koo Nimo's videotape 10-1-99; Koo Nimo's copy from Jamila White at PBS; contains "PBS Online: Ghana Musical Sequences" and "Koo Nimo: Adadam Agofomma" (2 video clips) (10:23)
2000-13.2 EC: "Ankaase Kete" (from Koo Nimo's cassette) (46:48).
2000-13.3 EC: Koo Nimo with Little Noah; F.O. Akuffo (palm wine music) (from Koo Nimo's cassette) (45:00).
2000-13.4 EC: "Tribute to Kofi Twumasi"; copied from Koo Nimo's cassette copy; originally recorded by John Collins (50:00).
2000-13.5 EC: "Afro-Fest Toronto"; Koo Nimo at the Toronto festival 1998; copied from cassette belonging to Koo Nimo (business card in cassette box - "CBC Radio Canada - Todd Fraracci. Recording Engineer/Producer Radio Music" (1:30:00).
2000-13.6 EC: "Kumasi"; copy of Koo Nimo's cassette copy; "Original digital recording live on location in Ghana for Stichting Klankschap Foundation Amsterdam 1984/85" (1:26:00).
2000-13.7 EC: "From Bamaya to Bosoe - Roots of Highlife"; produced by Faisal Helwani (commercial recording from Ghana) (50:00).
2000-13.8 EC: "Interview of Koo Nimo by Dr. Juma Santos"; inside label: "Nana Koo Nimo at Nsoroma Institute 'We Love Music' Festival 4/12/01; Nana Koo Nimo, Yaw Amposah, Stella Amponsah, Dr. Juma Santos, Group X Detroit Ml: Interview John Collins"; copied from Koo Nimo's copy 7/2001 (1:51:30).
2000-13.9 EC: "Koo Nimo - Palm Wine Guitar" (A Banyan Production; directed and produced by Christopher Laird; "2nd draft, Feb. 2001"); copied from Koo Nimo's copy 7/2001 (36:00).
2000-13.10 EC: "Crossing Over: Trinidad to Ghana [and] Ghana to Trinidad"; copied from Koo Nimo's copy 7/2001 (58:00).
2000-13.11 EC: "Koo Nimo recordings made with Noah Owusu (son in Australia) and others, July-August 2001". CD copy given to archives 11/2001 by Koo Nimo (71:07).
2000-13.12 EC: "Koo Nimo Solo Guitar, Recorded 1999 remixed and edited 2001 by James Whetzel". Copy given to archives by James Whetzel 12/2001 (37:11).
2000-13.13 EC: "Koo Nimo Lessons 1999 recorded by James Whetzel". Copy given to archives by James Whtzel 12/2001 (26:15).
2000-13.14 EC: "Koo Nimo Lessons 2000 Disc #1". Copy given to archives by James Whetzel 12/2001 (32:31).
2000-13.15 EC: "Koo Nimo Lessons 2000 Disc #2". Copy given to archives 12/2001 by James Whetzel (26:59).
2000-13.16 EC: "Koo Nimo Lessons Disc #3". Copy given to archives 12/2001 by James Whetzel (44:05).
Total duration: 13:01:09.
DATs (2000-13.2-4) transferred to digital files 7/2013 - 2000-13.2EC.wav (47:05); 2000-13.3EC.wav (45:39); 2000-13.4EC.wav (50:49) (44.1 kHz/16-bit)
Documentation: Notes
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Description | Dates |
|---|---|
| 2000013-0001: Koo Nimo: 2 Video Clips
1 videotape : VCT; Tracks: 2
Contents: 'PBS Online: Ghana Musical Sequences"; "Koo Nimo: Adadam Agofomma" (2 video clips). Archives copy made from Koo Nimo's tape, 10-1-99, at his request; Koo Nimo's copy from Jamila White at PBS.
|
|
| 2000013-0002: Koo Nimo: Ankaase Kete
1 audiotape : DAT; Tracks: 1
"Ankaase Kete"; copied from Koo Nimo's cassette copy.
|
|
| 2000013-0003: Koo Nimo with Little Noah; F. O. Akuffo
1 audiotape : DAT; Tracks: 1
Koo Nimo with Little Noah; F.O. Akuffo (palm wine music); copied fom Koo Nimo's cassette copy.
|
|
| 2000013-0004: Koo Nimo: Tribute to Kofi Twumasi
1 audiotape : DAT; Tracks: 1
Contents: "Tribute to Kofi Twumasi". Copied from Koo Nimo's cassette; originally recorded by John Collins in 198?.
|
|
| 2000013-0005: Koo Nimo: Afro-Fest Toronto
1 audiotape : Audio Cassette; Tracks: 1
Koo Nimo- "Afro-Fest Toronto" (Toronto festival 1998). Copied from cassette belonging to Koo Nimo (label on business card with his tape - "CBC Radio Canada - Todd Fraracci. Recording Engineer/Producer Radio Music ((416) 205-3490; FAX (416) 205-6040; E-mail: todd_fraracci@cbc.ca)"
|
|
| 2000013-0006: Koo Nimo: Kumasi
1 audiotape : Audio Cassette; Tracks: 1
Copy of Koo Nimo cassette "Kumasi". "Original digital recording live on location in Ghana for Stichting Klankschap Foundation Amsterdam 1984/85". Note on Koo Nimo's copy: "This tape is property of Stichting Klankschap Foundation. All rights of the producer and the owner of the recorded work reserved. Unauthorised copying, hiring, lending, public performance and broadcasting prohibited."
|
|
| 2000013-0007: From Bamaya to Bosoe: Roots of Highlife
1 audiotape : Audio Cassette; Tracks: 1
Contents: "From Bamaya to Bosoe - Roots of Highlife" (commercial recording from Ghana).Produced by Faisal Helwani; Executive Producers: Art Council of Ghana and Faisal Helwani Productions.
|
|
| 2000013-0008: Interview of Koo Nimo by Dr. Juma Santos
1 videotape : VCT; Tracks: 1
Archives copy of Koo Nimo's tape; copied from VHS tape of Koo Nimo's. Inside label: "Nana Koo Nimo at Nsoroma Institute 'We Love Music' Festival 4/12/01; Nana Koo Nimo, Yaw Amponsah, Stella Amponsah, Dr. Juma Santos, Group X Detroit Ml: Interview John Collins" (1:51:30). Contents: 00:00-29:33 - Interview of Koo Nimo, Stella Amponsah, and Yaw Amponsah in Detroit Michigan by Dr. Juma Santos. 21:37-1:27:04 - Performance by Koo Nimo, Stella Amponsah, and Yaw Amponsah. Demonstration of dancing, drumming, singing. 1:27:07-1:37:20 - Dr. Juma Santos sending greetings to Ghana. 1:37:21-1:51:10 - Interview of John Collins, professor of music at the University of Ghana. Interview in Ghana by Dr. Juma Santos. 1:51:11-1:51:37 - Drumming group X in Detroit
|
2001-04-12 |
| 2000013-0009: Koo Nimo: Palm Wine Guitar
1 videotape : VCT; Tracks: 1
Front credits: "Banyan"; "Koo Nimo - Palm Wine Guitar."Closing credits: "Dedicated to the life and work of Koo Nimo (Daniel Amponsah) with grateful acknowledgement to Adadam Agofomma of Kumasi, Nana Okuampa, elders and people of Atwa, The National Cultural Centre - Kumasi, NAFTI, and Unesco"; "Directed and produced by Christopher Laird"; "A Banyan Production in collaboration with The National Film and Television Institute of Ghana (NAFTI) with the assistance of Unesco"; "@2001." Archives copy made from Koo Nimo's copy 7/2001; note on label - "36 minutes, second draft, Feb. 2001 Bayan@pancaribbean.com"Recording date taken from related recording ("Crossing Over" 2000-13.10)
|
Approximately 1989 |
| 2000013-0010: Crossing Over: Trinidad to Ghana [&] Ghana to Trinidad
1 videotape : VCT; Tracks: 1
Documentary featuring Koo Nimo (Ghana) and Lancelot Layne (Trinidad); participants include Adadam Agofomma, Nkamfoa Brass Band No. 1, Cape Coast Masqueraders, Brian Honore, Kitchener, Pretender, Fedo Blake, Rocky McCollin, Andrew Bedeau, Len Boogsie Sharpe, Chandradath Singh (and others). Front credits: "A Production of mediamix Limited, Kingston, Jamica"; "Title: Crossing Over (Part One) Trinidad to Ghana, 28 min., 50 sec."; "A co-production of Banyan-Trinidad & Tobago and NAFTI-Ghana, Date: 5.3.89"; "Crossing Over (Part Two) Ghana to Trinidad." Closing credits: "Script and direction: Christopher Laird [and] Wallace Bampoe-Addo"; "Production: Christopher Laird"; "Produced by the National Film and Television Institute of Ghana and Banyan Trinidad & Tobago. Archives copy made from Koo Nimo's copy 11/2001.
|
Approximately 1989 |
| 2000013-0011: Koo Nimo Recordings with Noah Owusu and Others
1 optical media : CD - published; Tracks: 1
This is an unpublished recording made by James Whetzel in Seattle, Washington. Koo Nimo recordings made with Noah Owusu (son in Australia) and others. Recorded July-August 2001. Copy given to archives 11/2001 by Koo Nimo.Contents (as copied from CD cover): 1 - Dagomba in F. 2 - Amponsah/Dagomba in E. 3 - 1914 Songs. 4 - Koo's talking Drum intro. 5 - Talking drum #1. 6 - Talking drum #2. 7, 8 - Talking drum #2. 9, 10, 11 - Talking drum #3. 12 - Suto Hene. 13 - Komawu Hene. 14 - Koo's intro. To #4. 15, 16, 17 - Kotako Hene. 18 - Denkyira Hene. 19 - Talking drum? 20 - Akom excerpt #1. 21 - Akom practice 22 - Akom #1. 23 - Ahunum #1 (mistakes in bell). 24 - Ahunum #2 (mistakes in bell).
|
July-August 2001 |
| 2000013-0012: Koo Nimo Solo Guitar
1 optical media : CD - unpublished; Tracks: 18
This is an unpublished recording made by James Whetzel in Seattle, Washington. Koo Nimo Solo Guitar, recorded 1999, remixed and edited 2001 by James Whetzel. CD copy given to archives by James Whetzel 12/2001.
|
1999-07-17 |
| 2000013-0013: Koo Nimo Lessons 1999
1 optical media : CD - unpublished; Tracks: 1
This is an unpublished recording made by James Whetzel in Seattle, Washington. Contains James Whetzel's guitar lessons with Koo Nimo 1999. Copy given to archives by James Whetzel 12/2001. Contents as listed on CD cover: 1 - 1914 style. 2 - Dagomba in A, "Bachelovs" (Koo Nimo). 3 - Blues for Night people (Charlie Byrd). 4 - Come and Buy (Kwaku Kunadu). 5 - Dagomba in E (intro. Jobim/traditional Kru/ arr. Koo Nimo). 6 - Modal Amponsah and Amponsah. 7 - Mohammadu/Odo Yewu. 8 - Dagomba in F (Kwaa Mensah arr. Koo Nimo). 9 - Komfoadu/Ebusia (Koo Nimo/Anooh). 10 - Jimi Hendrix. 11 - Fireman. 12 - Da Nase. 13 - Fineman Extensions. 14 - "Debi Debi" (oninya).
|
1999-07-17 |
| 2000013-0014: Koo Nimo Lessons 2000 Disc #1
1 optical media : CD - unpublished; Tracks: 1
This is an unpublished recording made by James Whetzel in Seattle, Washington.Contains James Whetzel's lessons with Koo Nimo in 2000, disc #1. Copy given to archives 12/2001 by James Whetzel. Contents as listed on CD cover: 1 - Dagomba in F (Kwna Mensah, arr. Koo Nimo). 2 - Dagomba in A, "Bachelors" (Koo Nimo). 3 - Dagomba in A "Bachelors". 4 - Reverse Dagomba. 5 - Kahoa by Kwasi Manu, arr. By Uhura. 6 - Medley: Monk, Pat Thomas, Kwaku Kunadu. 7 - Ako Hwesee (Guinea Fowl) (Oninya), Obira Pa Adwanto (Koo Nimo version). 8 - Chords for Bossa and Dagomba. 9 - Komfo Hokye. 10 - Da Okay. 11 - Agyanka (Kwasi Manu). 12 - Odouson (Mireku). 13 - Me Denhi (Yaw Kune). 14 - Yaw Kune Story. 15 - Da Okay. 16 - Otuo Akyampong. 17 - Me Nyame Nwui (Inheritance) (Koo Nimo). 18 - "Me Nyame Numi" story.
|
2000-07-17 |
| 2000013-0015: Koo Nimo Lessons 2000 Disc #2
1 optical media : CD - unpublished
This is an unpublished recording made by James Whetzel in Seattle, Washington.Contains James Whetzel's lessons with Koo Nimo in 2000, disc #2. Copy given to archives 12/2001 by James Whetzel.Contents as listed on CD cover: 1 - Ghana Maa. 2 - Ma Entsamamotum (Eurhsua Mensah). 3 - "Komfo Nokye/Akusma Limpo". 4 - Akusua Limpot story. 5 - Da Okay? Fambay. 6 - Odouson. 7 - (Yaw Kume) Enam Fruwa. 8 - Yaw Kume Story/Highlife discussion. 9 - Dagomba in E with James. 10 - Dagomba in F (Kwa Mensah arr. Koo Nimo). 11 - "1914" Songs: Intro. 12 - 1914: Owo Tusi Onoboa. 13 - 1914: E.T. Mensah. 14 - 1914: Kwaku Waso (Sam). 15 - 1914: Kof. Tumasi Style. 16 - 1914: Kwajo Baden. 17 - 1914: Kofi Tumasi Style. 18 - 1914: Onofrua. 19 - 1914: Yaa Nimo. 20 - 1914: Ti Masem (E.T. Mensah). 21 - 1914: Me Dawa Wasi (Sam). 22 - 1914: Daytime you call me Kagah. 23 - 1914: Dabonekva (Sam). 24 - 1914: Everybody likes Saturday night. 25 - 1914: Story to everybody. 26 - 1914: Shake Your Body. 27 - 1914: Songs story pt. 2. 28 - Dagomba unlimited. 29 - Chords for Dagomba in A.
|
2000-07-17 |
| 2000013-0016: Koo Nimo Lessons 2000 Disc #3
1 optical media : CD - unpublished
This is an unpublished recording made by James Whetzel in Seattle, Washington.Contains James Whetzel's lessons with Koo Nimo and John Amponsah in 2000, disc #3. Copy given to archives 12/2001 by James Whetzel. Contents as listed on CD cover: 1 - Chord Stud. 2 - Hymn. 3 - Euthsua Mensah Song. 4 - Farmboy (Kwabena Nyama). 5 - Additional Farmboy. 7 - Komfo Nokye. 8 - Buy When Death Sells. 9 - Akusua Limpot. 10 - Akusua sunbi. 11 - Enam Fruwa (Yaw Kuno). 12 - Tu Kwamena. 13 - Bonfa (?)/Ebusia Yanfo. 14 - Yaa Serwa (Kwasi Manu). 15 - Charlie Byrd Song. 16 - Mainline. 17 - Sokoo. 18 - Christ Ne Ndaaso Ne Owu. 19 - Ohia Ne Ya. 20 - Sam's Model Pieces. 21 - Nsaa Manfo (Koo Nimo). 22 - Tanfo Style Songs. 23 - Amponsah Unlimited. 24 - Modal Amponsah: (tribute to Kofi Tumasi). 25 - Modal Amponsah (Tribute to Kwabena Nyuma and Yaw Ross). 26 - Adampa. 27 - Adampa, 2 guitars Koo and John Amponsah. 28 - Komfo Nokye. 29 - Otuo Akyampoh/Ohia NeYa Adamea. 30 - Buy When Death Sells/Ebusia.
|
2000-07-17 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Dance--Ghana
- Ethnomusicology
- Music--Ghana
- Palm Wine Music
- Video recordings in ethnomusicology
Geographical Names
- Africa
- Canada
- Ghana
- Trinidad
- West Africa
Form or Genre Terms
- Interviews
- Video recordings
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Amponsah, Daniel, 1934- (performer)
