Koo Nimo video collection, 1998-2001

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Amponsah, Daniel, 1934-
Title
Koo Nimo video collection
Dates
1998-2001 (inclusive)
Quantity
8 optical media  :  EC - 8 DVDs (color, digital, stereo); Duration: 7:28:28
Collection Number
2012001
Summary
DVD copies of 6 VHS tapes from Koo Nimo's personal collection, copied for the UW Ethnomusicology Archives at his request, January 2012. Videos include performances of palm wine music, interviews with Koo Nimo, and documentaries on palm wine guitar music.
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

Documentation: Photo-copy of Palm Wine Guitar documentary insert

Copies of 6 VHS tapes from Koo Nimo's personal collection, copied for the UW Ethnomusicology Archives at his request, January 2012.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Description Dates
2012001-0001
1 optical media : DVD - unpublished
Koo Nimo - Palm Wine Guitar (documentary); a co-production of Banyan Trinidad & Tobago and the National Film & Television Institute of Ghana, "Second Draft Feb 2001." Contents: Interview & performances by Koo Nimo, including jamming with steelpan virtuoso Len "Boogsie" Sharpe (Duration = 36:06)
2001-07-17
2012001-0002
1 optical media : DVD - unpublished
The material on Koo Nimo's VHS source tape was copied to 3 DVDs due to its length: 2012-1. 2 a - Koo Nimo - Interview of Koo Nimo (interviewer unidentified) and music, recorded in Ann Arbor, Michigan, January 2001 (Duration = 1:00:59) 2012-1. 2 b - Koo Nimo - Interview of Koo Nimo (interviewer unidentified) and music, recorded in Ann Arbor, Michigan, February 17, 2001 (Duration = 58:58) 2012-1. 2 c - Koo Nimo - Interview of Koo Nimo (interviewer unidentified) and music, recorded in Ann Arbor, Michigan, February 20, 2001 (Duration = 51:29)
2001-07-17
2012001-0003
1 optical media : DVD - unpublished
Repercussions [series]: Africa Come Back - Popular Music of West Africa; IMAGE QUALITY VERY POOR; sound ok (Duration = 1:01:02) Note: For better quality copy of this recording, see 2012-18. 1 EC.
2012001-0004
1 optical media : DVD - unpublished
Koo Nimo - Includes several recordings: 1) Koo Nimo performances - first section recorded at the University of Ghana, Legon, Institute of African Studies, 1/23/98 [from title screen]; other sections follow (locations & dates unknown); 2) Dance gestures; 3) - "How to wear the traditional cloth" (Total duration = 1:10:25)
1998-07-17
2012001-0005
1 optical media : DVD - unpublished
Koo Nimo - Includes several recordings: 1) Music and discussion [Repercussions?]; IMAGE QUALITY VERY POOR; 2) Interview: Koo Nimo with Reverend Agyeman Duah; 3) - Performance (Total duration = 48:23)
2012001-0006
1 optical media : DVD - unpublished
Funeral of Nana Osei Bonsu (Hiahene); copy of PAL VHS tape in Koo Nimo's personal collection, which he received from Prof. A. M. Opoku [sp.?] (Total duration = 1:01:06)

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Concerts
  • Dance--Ghana
  • Ethnomusicology
  • Funeral music
  • Guitar
  • Highlife (Music)
  • Music--Ghana
  • Palm Wine Music
  • Steel Pan

Geographical Names

  • Africa
  • Ghana
  • Traditional Ghana
  • West Africa

Form or Genre Terms

  • Documentary films
  • Documentary videos
  • Interviews
  • Video recordings

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Amponsah, Daniel, 1934- (performer)