Koo Nimo recording - Rhythmen der Welt: Highlife in Ghana, 1994

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Amponsah, Daniel, 1934-
Title
Koo Nimo recording - Rhythmen der Welt: Highlife in Ghana
Dates
1994
Quantity
1 videotapes  :  EC - 1 vct (VHS (NTSC), color); Duration: 00:30:00
Collection Number
1998013
Summary
Survey of Highlife music and musicians: includes E. T. Mensah, the Ramblers, Koo Nimo and Ensemble, Joel Aka and the Butterfly Six, Mc God, Children's ensembles, work songs, church songs, Mustafa Tettey Addy and Ensemble, and the Apollo High Kings. Archives copy donated by Koo Nimo (copied from his PAL copy); a production of Transtel, Cologne.
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

Written and directed by Wolfgang Jo Huschert; King Ampaw, Ghana; Camera: Wolfgang Jo Huschert; Sound: Stephanie Kreutzberger; Editor: Ariane Eich; a production of Transtel, Cologne.

Narration in English.

Documentation assistance from Valerie Price 3/99.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Description
1998013-0001: Rhythmen der Welt: Highlife in Ghaha
1 videotape : VCT; Tracks: 1
A production of Transtel, Cologne.Narration in English.A survey of Highlife performers; Koo Nimo is featured prominently, performing and demonstrating instruments and techniques.See logsheet for description of contents.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Dance--Ghana
  • Ethnomusicology
  • Highlife (Music)
  • Music--Ghana
  • Religion
  • Video recordings in ethnomusicology
  • Work Songs

Geographical Names

  • Africa
  • Ghana
  • Traditional Ghana
  • West Africa

Form or Genre Terms

  • Documentary videos
  • Motion picture documentaries
  • Video recordings

Other Creators

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