Koo Nimo recording: Repercussions - Africa Come Back, 1984

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Amponsah, Daniel, 1934-
Title
Koo Nimo recording: Repercussions - Africa Come Back
Dates
1984
Quantity
1 optical media  :  EC - 1 DVD (digital, stereo, color); Duration: 1:00:00
Collection Number
2012018
Summary
Episode #7 "Africa Come Back - The Popular Music of West Africa" from the television series "Repercussions - a Celebration of African-American Music", features Koo Nimo and other musicians.
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

Participants: Segun Adewale & His Superstars International; Adinkra; Nana Ampadu & African Brothers; Mohammed Malcolm Ben; John Collins; Frankie Lane & Gifty Collins; Koo Nimo; Smart Nkansah & Sunsum Band; Manhyia Nnwonkoro.

Directed by Dennis Marks; Penny Corke, producer; Third Eye Productions for Channel Four Television Co., U.K., 1984.

Archives copy provided by Dennis Marks, 2012, for instructional use only.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Dance--Ghana
  • Ethnomusicology
  • Music--Ghana
  • Palm Wine Music

Geographical Names

  • Africa
  • Ghana
  • West Africa

Form or Genre Terms

  • Documentary television programs
  • Ethnographic television programs
  • Nonfiction television programs
  • Television programs
  • Video recordings