New Dzesi band on the block

IT was around 10.00am and sounds of a band at rehearsal in an apartment pierced the atmosphere at  La Apapa in Accra.

The all-female Dzesi band  was busily brushing up on some tunes. Looking at the bunch hunched over their instruments, it was striking that the only familiar face was leader and singer, Della Hayes.

None of the other female musicians that started the band with her  in 2009, was at the rehearsal. A new Dzesi band is in place and Della says they are working hard towards an outdooring concert  at the +233 Jazz Bar and Grill in Accra, by the end of this month.

“They come from different playing backgrounds with different abilities. We are trying to gel and come out with a big bang,”  the band’s leader states.

The original Dzesi nine-member band brought some freshness to the music scene after  its launch at the Alliance Francaise, Accra, in April 2009. They held their own and played an interesting mix of jazz, highlife, funk, Latin, reggae and other styles.

The band  featured at major music events including Music of Ghanaian Origin (MOGO) concert,  Kojo Antwi 24th Night, Mac Tontoh Tribute Night, Vlisco Awards Night and Becca’s Girl Talk Show. 

It also entertained guests at many social events and played at festivals in Benin, Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire.

Some rough edges began to appear as time went on and the band had been scaled down to a four-piece (keyboards, drums, bass and vocals) by the end of last year.

“Some later developments meant it had to disband for fresh hands to come on board,” says Della. “We have been hard at rehearsal and  everything is coming up nicely so far. We know we have a long road to travel but we will get there.”

The new Dzesi band now comprises Della Hayes, lead vocals; Christiana Bagura,  guitar; Akwele Amedormeh, drums and percussion and Dede Kordah,  guitar.

The rest are Abigail Teye, percussion; Sarah Sarpong, keyboards; Stephanie Senyor, electric bass and Priscilla Tackie, drums and percussion.

Some of them learnt to play their instruments through association with churches while others  honed their skills through private tuition. 

The new members see their inclusion in the band as a challenge to take their love of music to new levels and are eager to let the public hear how they sound. 

The novelty of an all-female band has definitely worn off everyone and music lovers would be keen to hear how the new Dzesi band stand up for themselves later this month.