Stevoo Atambire’s time to shine
It appears the Upper East Region abounds in brilliant kologo players and Stevoo Atambire believes this is his time to shine.
Advertisement
He already has recordings under his name, has collaborated with artistes from the sub-region and featured at a variety of festivals at home and abroad.
Atambire, however, sees his upcoming collaboration at the +233 Jazz Bar and Grill at North Ridge in Accra on Saturday, August 20 with accomplished Ghanaian jazz artistes as a big step forward in his career
He will be playing alongside saxophonist, Bernard Ayisa; drummer Frank Kissi and keyboardists, Victor Dey and Nicolas Mettle, all authorities on their instruments.
Ayisa, who has wide experience playing in places like Germany, United States, Dubai, Scotland, Romania, South Africa, Malaysia, Zimbabwe, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, described Atambire as a great addition to Ghanaian music.
“I have played once with him and I’m excited about sharing stage with him again. He is a very interesting guy. He’s got so much energy and i think the fusion between us and him will create something special,” Ayisa said.
He felt the collaboration with Atambire would be a good chance to show music patrons what he and his jazz colleagues can do with different instrumentation instead of just having the traditional jazz quartet or quintet.
“We have been exploring avenues to do something different, something Ghanaian and African and Atambire’s music offers us something challenging to work with,” the saxophonist stated.
The kologo is a one-string instrument from northern Ghana. Two of the best known players are King Ayisoba and Atongo Zimba, both from Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.
Atambire also hails from Bolgatanga and has claimed on a number of occasions that he wanted to blend traditional roots music and cutting-edge urban sound.
That’s what makes many discerning music lovers think that his association with Ayisa and friends is something worth paying attention to.