Jale Ensemble prepares for West African tour
The Jale Ensemble, a vibrant traditional drumming and dancing group,has intensified its rehearsal routine at its Bortianor base in the Greater Accra Region as it prepares for the first leg of an upcoming West African tour.
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According to group leader, Nii Laryea Pabifio Joseph, the initial tour will see them perform in Togo, Benin and Nigeria after which shows would be scheduled for three other countries in the sub-region.
Started in 2011, the Jale Ensemble has been prominent on the cultural music and dance circuit with distinct appearances at traditional festivals such as the Arts and Culture Festival at the Nungua Junction Mall; Asafotufiam at Ada and Yeyeeye (Twins Festival) at Ga-Mashie in Accra.
The group has also exhibited its high-calibre presentations at the famous Chale Wote Festival at James Town in Accra and showed its competence to guests at notable hotels such as Alisa, Best Western Plus, Movenpick, La Palm Royal Beach among others.
At workshops and other fora, Jale Ensemble offers presentations from a wide variety of Ghanaian ethnic groups.These include Kpanlogo from the Ga-Dangme people of Greater Accra, Adzogbo from the Ewes in the Volta Region, Bawa from the Mamprugu people in the Northern Region, Adowa from the Akan folks in the Ashanti Region and Apatampa of the Fantes in the Central Region.
Nii Laryea, who formed the Jale Ensemble, started off his foray into music as a self-taught beat-maker and recording hand. He saw the well-traveled Kusun Ensemble at rehearsal on several occasions and that triggered a love for African traditional music and dance.
He joined the Kusun Ensemble playing light percussions. He was the main recording engineer on Womba Africa’s self-titled debut album.
Through his able leadership, the Jale Ensemble emerged the Best Ghanaian Traditional Music and Dance Group of 2020 at the Ghana Arts and Culture Awards (GACA). The outfit was acknowledged by the GACA organisers for its ‘immense support and contribution toward the success of GACA 2021.’
“We hope to now extend our wings across the globe, starting from West Africa since our main aim is to use drumming and dancing as a tool to bring the world together in righteousness. Jale, in the Ga language, means ‘righteousness’ and we mean to live up to our name,” Nii Laryea said with confidence.