Talk:Glenmark

Composer Richard Kofi Ameyaw

Kofi Ameyaw is a natural born performer and educator. Kofi Ameyaw was born in Accra, Ghana and grew up in a town called Taifa. As a drummer, he is noted for his sensitivity and passion for bringing joy to people through music. He began his musical career at the age of nine, Ameyaw was introduced to many styles of African and international music. He started playing with the world-renowned Pan-African Orchestra, a group lead by Nana Danso Abiam at the National Theater of Ghana. He toured throughout Ghana, Zimbabwe & South Africa. Performing at major venues in the U.S., Canada, U.K. & other countries throughout Europe.

As an educator, Kofi teaches different styles of African music, both privately and at various schools and universities in the U.S. Currently, he is teaching the African Ensemble at Eastern Michigan University and Oakland University African Ensemble. He also teaches summer music and dance programs at other schools, churches and universities including (Explore Africa) at Michigan State University, The Lake Orion Community Drummers, A Japanese Music Studio in W. Bloomfield (T.M.U), the International School in Farmington Hills, V.S.A arts in the schools programs, First United Methodist Church, Zion Lutheran Church and many more.

Performances

In 2007 Kofi Ameyaw, Bernard Woma and Mark Stone was invited to performed with the New York Philharmonic at the Avery Fisher Hall as a guest artist. Followed by the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra in 2008, and the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra in 2009.

Project

THE MUSIC

Kofi Ameyaw, the pioneer of the gyil music, the founder of Sunkwa. began using the "Gyil", a traditional xylophone from upper western part of Ghana, an instrument used for traditional music of the Dagara people and the Lobi of Ghana. Ameyaw became the first musician who started using the gyil xylophone for genre like Classical Jazz and Pop music, combined with many western instruments like the electric bass, guitar, keyboards, trumpets/sax and many more. Other composers like David Rogers and Derek Bermel has also composed concertos piece for an entire orchestra base on the gyil. Some of these amazing pieces are the Dust Dance by Derek, which was performed in 2007 with the N.Y Philharmonic and Gyil Jumbie by David Rogers and Bernard Woma, performed in the 08 concert with S.D Orchestra and Minnesota Orchetra in 09.

Sunkwa Sunkwa was established in 1999, with the objective to developing a first class performance group, exploring the classical, pop, jazz and world musical foundations of West Africa. The group comprises six-seven instrumentalists, all of whom are master musicians in their own rights.

Sunkwa’s instrumentations Sunkwa's instrumentation are combined with traditional instruments from West Africa like the gyil and djembe drums, conga drums, saxophone, trumpet, keyboard, acoustic/electric guitars and drums. Sunkwa is also considered as an international group with it's member coming form different countries like Ghana, Senegal, Japan, Mexico and Michigan. With this combined experience, Sunkwa is always ready to rock any event or Festivals.

MUSIC Sunkwa's music has its roots in Ghana, but also draws on other international style of music. Sunkwa has tunes that fuses world xylophone music traditions from various part of Africa, and have commingling world beat rhythms. jazz, following the steps of composers like Astor Paizola, Chick Corea, Michael Camilo and many more, Pop music, a combine experience of Ghanaian and American pop, and the traditional music of the Dagara people. As a group, Sunkwa represents an honest reflection of peace and unity through music. It's a unique combination, an ancient mallet keyboard and a modern team of dynamo performers.

Discography Kofi Ameyaw has recorder with many performers. . Bernard Woma in Concert . Biakuye . Pan African Orchestra . Release . Taste of the Gyil . Toast to the Gyil . Promise . Ameyaw goes solo . Sunkwa in Binary

Links wwwww.jumbierecords.com</ref>