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James Whetzel recordings: Koo Nimo (solo guitar pieces), 1999-05
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Whetzel, James
- Title
- James Whetzel recordings: Koo Nimo (solo guitar pieces)
- Dates
- 1999-051999-051999-05
- Quantity
- 1 optical media : EC - 1 compact disc (digital, stereo); Duration: 00:45:00
- Collection Number
- 2005021
- Summary
- Solo guitar performance by Koo Nimo (Daniel Amponsah), recorded May 1999 by James Whetzel, Seattle, WA; Archives copy donated by J. Whetzel.
- 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
James Whetzel is musician and a graduate of the University of Washington's ethnomusicology program who minored in Congolese pop. He is currently the DJ for the International Fountain at Seattle Center. For more information see his website: http://www.jameswhetzel.com/.
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
Contains 21 tracks (20 compositions); various composers, including Koo Nimo; all arrangements by Koo Nimo (see logsheet for detailed listing of titles and composers).
Koo Nimo retains all rights to his compositions and arrangements.
Remixed and edited versions of most of this material is included on UWEA 2000-13.12.
Documentation: Hand-written list of pieces performed.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Ethnomusicology
- Guitar
- Guitar
- Highlife (Music)
- Music--Ghana
- Palm Wine Music
Geographical Names
- Africa
- Ghana
Form or Genre Terms
- Sound Recordings
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Amponsah, Daniel, 1934- (performer)