7 September, 2009 For Immediate Release

Nii Otoo Annan and Friends:

Master Ghanaian Percussionist Performs with Renowned Jazz Musicians

Wednesday, October 14th, 8PM

Nelson Music Room, Duke University East Campus, Durham NC

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Equally rooted in traditional Ghanian percussion and jazz improvisation, Nii Otoo Annan and Friends create a joyous sound in their performances. Live and on their recordings, the group has fashioned a musical synthesis that simultaneously celebrates and transcends the styles and traditionas of their musical backgrounds.

Nii Otoo Annan has been called the "Elvin Jones of West Africa.” Deeply rooted in Ghanaian ritual percussion, Annan also spans a wide range of styles, working regularly in highlife, church, and Afro-avant-garde jazz settings. He performs on xylophones, bells, guitar, lutes, bass, numerous drums, and instruments of his own invention. His unique approach to experimental improvisation features the “APK,” (African Percussion Kit) consisting of numerous Ghanaian drums and bells topped with Western jazz cymbals.

Steven Feld has performed and recorded since 2005 with Nii Otoo Annan and Nii Noi Nortey across Africa, Europe, and the US as a member of Accra Trane Station. He accompanies Annan on the Ghanaian Ashiwa rhythm box bass. He and Annan recently collaborated on the CD “Bufo Variations.” Feld is also a distinguished professor of Anthropology and Music at the University of New Mexico and is a MacArthur Fellow.

Alex Coke (flutes/reeds) and Jefferson Voorhees (drumset) performed and recorded with Accra Trane Station during the group’s 2007 US visits, resulting in the CD “Topographies of the Dark.” Albuquerque-based Voorhees toured with O.J. Ekomode and the Nigerian All-Stars and has performed and recorded with numerous jazz and experimental groups. Austin-based Coke toured and recorded with Holland's famed Willem Breuker Kollektief for 10 years and is a featured composer with Creative Opportunity Orchestra.

Contact: Daniel Raimi

danielraimi@gmail.com

718-300-2510

Related Links

1. http://music.duke.edu