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Obo Addy, the son of a Wonche medicine man in Ghana, was designated a "master drummer" at the age of six. Surrounded by his enormous family (his father had 55 children by 10 wives) and thoroughly immersed in the core musical traditions of his people. Addy embodied the skills and deep values of Ga music as few could.
During his teenage years and after World War II, he absorbed the international pop music which had seeped into his home town of Accra. Addy played in Joe Kelly's Band, The Ghana Broadcasting Band, and the Farmers Council Band for many years mostly playing European and American music. He later gravitated to Highlife, the new blend of African and European instrumentation. In 1969, he was employed by the Arts Council of Ghana as a Ga master of the national music. In 1972, he and his brothers performed at the Olympic Games in Munich and embarked on an international tour. They lived in London and toured extensively until 1978 when he moved to the United States and settled in Portland, Oregon. With his wife, Susan, he created Homowo African Arts and Cultures, a not-for-profit organization which hold an annual festival which has introduced thousands of people to the music of Ghana. He's a richly skilled teacher who conducts numerous in-school residencies and workshops. His newest venture is to lead arts and culture tours to Ghana on an annual basis so Obo can share his rich heritage with interested Americans.
Obo Addy currently teaches music at Lewis and Clark College and Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. He travels throughout the country conducting teaching residencies and performing both solo and with his performing groups. He leads two ensembles which tour nationally- Okropong, dedicated to traditional tribal music and dance of Ghana, and Kukrudu, which performs original music written by Addy. His numerous recordings include two recent works entitled "Let me Play My Drums" and "Okropong." Addy is currently at work on a new recording which will be released later in 1998.
In 1996 Obo Addy was awarded the National Heritage Fellowship Award by the National Endowment for the Arts. This is the highest honor a traditional artist can receive in this country. Obo is the first African born artist to ever receive the award. The picture to the left shows Obo Addy receiving the award from Jane Alexander., NEA director.
The National Endowment for the Arts website tells more about the National Heritage Awards and Obo Addy.
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