Music of Monday, 26 July 2004

Source: ghanamusic.com

Dzinpa Cultural Group Makes Impact

Ghanaian traditional music and dance have over the year the past several years, been given fresh impetus and new life through improvisations that have effectively metamorphosed into a dramatic blend of traditional and contemporary compositions and choreography.

A number of groups in Ghana have showcased their productions in several American and European cities where they treated enthusiastic and cheering audiences to pieces that vividly reveal the beauty and variety of Ghanaian culture.

One of such groups is the Dzinpa Cultural Group, which has, since its formation in 1996, been actively involved in the promotion of the rich Ghanaian cultural heritage with its own variations of traditional music and dance.

With the renowned arts promoter, Molly Agyeman Duah, as its Executive Director, Dzinpa Cultural Group has performed in several venues in Accra and its surrounding areas during beauty pageants, festivals, state sponsored shows and programmes organised by the Musicians Union Of Ghana.

The group?s rich repertoire include Ghanaian folk/traditional music, palm wine highlife, as well as traditional/choreographed dance pieces that have been infused with refreshing movements.

Made up of 35 members Dzinpa Cultural Group enthralled audiences in Switzerland when it joined the Amandzeba Group in numerous performances at the 2004 edition of the International Alpine Music Festival, which was held in the Swiss town of Saas-Fee.

The group organised workshops and seminars on various aspects of Ghanaian traditional music and dance for a number of students who expressed their profound interest and willingness to continue with lessons on Ghanaian music and dance forms.

Dzinpa Cultural Group also offers training in the manufacturing of traditional African musical instruments. These include various types of drums, bells, flutes and shakers.

The group is currently making preparations for a performance tour of the United States which will involve shows and workshops in the states of New York, New Jersey, California, Georgia and others.

Dzinpa Cultural Group has the acclaimed Ghanaian musician, Amandze-Ba Nat Brew, as its artistic advisor, with the ??seperewa? dynamo/dancer, Nana Baffuor Kyeremanten, as its dance instructor.