Kusun Ensemble Beautifully Different

Among the many individuals and groups that will grace the Commonwealth games next Match in Melbourne, Australia is the Kusun Ensemble who together with the African Showboys will take part in the Commonwealth Games Cultural Festival which will be held alongside athletics and other events.

At the Arts Centre, Accra, last Friday, Nii Tettey and his Kunsun Ensemble and the African Showboys put up an extremely entertaining show for a select audience including the Australian Ambassador.

But it was Kunsun Ensemble which showed class in an hour plus performance of a professionally well packaged act that thrilled the fully packed open hall of the Arts Centre.

While most Ghanaian cultural groups provide loud and sometimes deafening drumming for their dances, Kunsun Ensemble has chosen a more solemn and desirable style of presenting their traditional dances by combining the dexterity of Oboubi on the lead guitar, in concert with the traditional drums.

Thus a union of music, drumming and dancing is presented in an ear-pleasing and aesthetically arranged movements that will not fail to thrill an audience.

Opening with a nice slow-paced song calling on the Good Lord to shower his blessings on all, Nii Tettey on vocals and leading with the atentenben flute, engaged in a banter with the guitar which was complimented by his unique voice.

The well structured act dovetailed into the Atsiagbekor dance which initially started with the Atsimevu drum supported by the other drums finally ushering in the dancers who went through their routines with beautiful precision.

Even the fast paced dances enjoyed subdued drumming leaving the audience to savour the nuances in the music, singing, drumming and dancing.

Nagla and other dances were presented in a more refreshing way.

But the whole show was linked together by Nii Tettey who is very professional and savvy in playing common but not-easy-to-play instruments like the saara (snuff bottle) on strings and a slim wooden contration used them to bridge the transition points in the programme.

His anecdotes also provided interesting variety which gave the performers time to change and take a breather.

Earlier, Aphrodesia an all white Afro Beat group, gave an indication of what the audience should expect when they shocked the audience with a wonderful performance of Afro Beat music

The ten piece band impressed not only with their music but managed their well rehearsed dance movements honourably.

Applause after applause greeted each of their songs a sure sign that the audience really enjoyed their music.

African Showboys a traditional group comprising four brothers, also sent strong signals that they will make a great impact with their performances in Melbourne.

A combination of traditional music, dance, magic and acrobatic displays is what they fed the audience who loved every bit of their performance.

In a short speech, the Australian Ambassador Jonathan Richerdson stated that apart from the two traditional groups and Ga coffins from Nungua which will be on exhibition, Kente will also be exhibited as part of a textile exhibition.

According to him after the performances by the two groups he has no doubts that the Ghanaian contingent will give a very good account of themselves.

Among the many individuals and groups that will grace the Commonwealth games next Match in Melbourne, Australia is the Kusun Ensemble who together with the African Showboys will take part in the Commonwealth Games Cultural Festival which will be held alongside athletics and other events.

At the Arts Centre, Accra, last Friday, Nii Tettey and his Kunsun Ensemble and the African Showboys put up an extremely entertaining show for a select audience including the Australian Ambassador.

But it was Kunsun Ensemble which showed class in an hour plus performance of a professionally well packaged act that thrilled the fully packed open hall of the Arts Centre.

While most Ghanaian cultural groups provide loud and sometimes deafening drumming for their dances, Kunsun Ensemble has chosen a more solemn and desirable style of presenting their traditional dances by combining the dexterity of Oboubi on the lead guitar, in concert with the traditional drums.

Thus a union of music, drumming and dancing is presented in an ear-pleasing and aesthetically arranged movements that will not fail to thrill an audience.

Opening with a nice slow-paced song calling on the Good Lord to shower his blessings on all, Nii Tettey on vocals and leading with the atentenben flute, engaged in a banter with the guitar which was complimented by his unique voice.

The well structured act dovetailed into the Atsiagbekor dance which initially started with the Atsimevu drum supported by the other drums finally ushering in the dancers who went through their routines with beautiful precision.

Even the fast paced dances enjoyed subdued drumming leaving the audience to savour the nuances in the music, singing, drumming and dancing.

Nagla and other dances were presented in a more refreshing way.

But the whole show was linked together by Nii Tettey who is very professional and savvy in playing common but not-easy-to-play instruments like the saara (snuff bottle) on strings and a slim wooden contration used them to bridge the transition points in the programme.

His anecdotes also provided interesting variety which gave the performers time to change and take a breather.

Earlier, Aphrodesia an all white Afro Beat group, gave an indication of what the audience should expect when they shocked the audience with a wonderful performance of Afro Beat music

The ten piece band impressed not only with their music but managed their well rehearsed dance movements honourably.

Applause after applause greeted each of their songs a sure sign that the audience really enjoyed their music.

African Showboys a traditional group comprising four brothers, also sent strong signals that they will make a great impact with their performances in Melbourne.

A combination of traditional music, dance, magic and acrobatic displays is what they fed the audience who loved every bit of their performance.

In a short speech, the Australian Ambassador Jonathan Richerdson stated that apart from the two traditional groups and Ga coffins from Nungua which will be on exhibition, Kente will also be exhibited as part of a textile exhibition.

According to him after the performances by the two groups he has no doubts that the Ghanaian contingent will give a very good account of themselves.