Bentsifi’s Tattle; A guy about town
The applause has just died down and the room is silent again. It was pianist Edwin who just introduced the next performance. I close my eyes as soon as I hear the first strum of the cello.
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You know, when you close your eyes in this manner, it means you want to appreciate the feeling of what you are about to experience, or are experiencing.
My ears are so alert and I can feel the calm within me after having just gone through the process of listening to their first few performances. This feeling, however, was felt deep within my soul. Music, and particular the kind such as the one I’m listening to here, does that. It hits my soul!
For almost a minute after it has been playing, there is nothing familiar about the melody initially, though the draw of the violin’s treble pitch strikes me.
Wait! I know this tune. It is ‘Tuu Tuu Gborvi', the traditional Ewe lullaby, and what a treatment it is being given by the newest kids on the musical block: Afro Maestros Orchestral Ensemble.
I drift along as the song soothes me. There’s a fixed smile on my face. I am completely taken!
The first time I heard these lads, and their one lass who plays the concert flute, was on the roof terrace at PaJohn’s in Kanda about a month ago, where they mesmerised us with tunes by Osibisa and other Afro- pop hits, including even contemporary ones by P. Square and others. Their playing pulled Emma onto the dance floor, along with much cheer from the crowd.
Then at last week’s Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) Grand Ball, there they were again, thrilling guests as they arrive for the night’s event at the cocktail hour.
Just hearing contemporary songs you are familiar with played with unlikely instruments like the cello, and double bass and violin, piano and infused with percussion sound from a gome, makes one pay attention.
It is an interestingly exciting fusion and tonight at the official launch of the band here at the African Regent Hotel, I am extremely delighted.
Not only because the music is excellent but also because the band is made up of young people who have a sincere and deep passion for music.
They all play instruments, real ones, not some computer generated stuff! This is a major deal here in Ghana today. So passionate are these guys that all 12 of them have put their resources together to rent accommodation in which they all live in order that they can practice all the time!
I’ll stand up for them for dedication. It is rare to find young people today pursuing their passion against finding a job, any job that will just pay them so they can make a living. So to flutists Awo Dede and Sam, and violinists Michael and Justice and cellist Selorm, to Ema who plays the viola, and Prosper, Kwame, Otu and the other Ema who hit the percussions, and to contrabassoon player Enoch, and of course Edwin, I say, hear, hear! I doff my hat!
At tonight’s concert, their visiting colleague from the United States, A. J. Fanning was on cello too, and they are making such beautiful music.
I mean, they have done some classical movements from Beethoven, Pachelbel and one of my all time favourite tunes, ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ by Frank Paterson!
And now they are doing some Afrocentric stuff and highlife tunes. What a breath of fresh air these guys are! I see Prof John Collins sitting in the front and I see him nodding, a sign of approval perhaps, and others there, including the doyen of our arts and music, Prof J H Nketsia. He has had fixed smile on his face all night.
The same thing had happened to many of the patrons at the MUSIGA Grand Ball. As they entered the main hall, they had smiles on their faces. It was quite an exceptional ball. Plated dinner by Trafix was served as the event rolled on rather nicely.
And what fun we had at the State Banquet Hall, dancing to Smart Nkansah, AB Crentsil, Amakye Dede, Nana Ampadu, Tagoe Sisters and other exciting artistes.
Source: Daily Graphic