Come Home to the Land of Your Ancestors!
Join Kwashi for the excursion of your lifetime to his homeland
Ghana, West Africa
timed to coincide with the annual celebration - The Hogbetsotso Festival
Ghana, West Africa
timed to coincide with the annual celebration - The Hogbetsotso Festival
October - November
About Kwashi |
| Kwashi (Adonu Amevuvor) was born in the village of Keta located in Southern Ghana. Kwashi's father was the chief drummer of his village and his mother was a dancer and composer. Kwashi and his family of four sisters and seven brothers all followed in their parent's footsteps becoming performers of traditional Ghanaian music and dance. Kwashi advanced his education at the A.M.E. Zion School in Keta, Ghana, and received two teaching certificates, one from Keta Zion College and the other from Jasikan Teachers Training College in Ghana. In addition, Kwashi received advance training in the cultural history of his people at the prestigious University of Ghana in Legon, obtaining his diploma in African Music and Dance. After his formal education and because of his expertise, Kwashi was invited to teach at all three of the schools where he earned his degrees firmly solidifying his proficiency in the cultural history and the music and dance of Ghana. Kwashi continued to educate students about West African culture, music, and dance all over the world, working at such esteemed universities and cultural centers as the University of Ghana in Legon, the Togo Cultural Center in Togo, Aberdeen University in Scotland, the Handicap School in Rome, Graz University and the Music Center in Vienna, Austria, Zurich University in Switzerland, and the London Youth Orchestra in England. During this time Kwashi also performed at many venues in those countries. Kwashi performed with the great Babatunde Olatunji while Baba was living in Ghana. He performed in Germany where he was invited to teach workshops and perform at the Berlin Festival; and he appeared with the Youth Organization of Orchestras by invitation of the British government. In London his group played for many different audiences including the Queen in Buckingham Palace. While in London he also did a series of special recordings for the BBC. Kwashi came to the US in 1979 to teach African drum and dance at the State University of New York at Brockport. His performance schedule took him all over the U.S. and he settled in Los Angeles in the early 1980’s and began teaching music and African culture. Kwashi was one of the primary forces that began the groundbreaking African Beat radio program that was on-air on KCRW-FM for over 10 years. Kwashi continued to teach at various colleges, universities, and cultural institutions all around the U.S., such as UCLA, Riverside University, the Sedona Museum in Arizona, California State College Northridge, and the Conservatory of Music at the University of Chicago. Soon Kwashi opened his own retail percussion store for a time, the Adonou International Music Center, which sold instruments from all over Africa, and at which he also taught classes to students all over Southern California. The popular world music group The Bonedaddy’s worked with Kwashi to develop their eclectic sound. Kwashi has also appeared and played in the films THE COLOR PURPLE, COMING TO AMERICA, and UNDER FIRE; and with Quincy Jones helped organize the Nelson Mandela Benefit Concert at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Most recently Kwashi was honored to receive the Los Angeles County Treasures Award from the L.A. County Cultural Affairs Department.
Today Kwashi continues to teach, perform, compose, and offer libations at many African-themed events around Los Angeles.
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What People Are Saying About Kwashi |
"Anyone in Los Angeles who performs African percussion or African-influenced music has been taught directly by Kwashi Amevuvor or indirectly by one of his disciples. His influence in this realm is vast and deep. As a teacher and community scholar, Mr. Amevuvor has shared his tradition throughout the world, teaching at SUNY College New York, The University of Chicago Conservatory of Music, UCLA and California Institute of the Arts. He is a MASTER TEACHER, for students of all ages. We are fortunate to have him as a fellow-Angelino." ...Lisa Richardson
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"For over a decade (1969-1979), I experienced Kwashi in roles of performer, instructor and general participant with the Ghana Dance Ensemble of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana. He is a man of high motivation and high creative ability indeed a Ghanaian National Treasure." ...Professor William Ofotsu Adinku, PhD.
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"When I was an Education Abroad Student with the University of California Exchange Program in 1972-74, Mr. Amevuvor worked as a dance and drum instructor at the Institution of African Studies, University of Ghana. Not only did he teach foreign students such as myself but he was also instrumental in the Ghana Dance Ensemble extensive travel and performances around the world.
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Get to know this man - a highly recommended Master Teacher, Artist Extraordinaire and Sacred Culture Bearer." ...Queen Empress Akweke
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"Kwashi taught me all about African traditional culture. He inspired me and I went on to become a professor in Africa. He affected my life in the most profound way" ...Dashanaba King
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"We support folk, traditional performing and visual artists for performances, workshops and exhibits and we honor Kwashi for being an "L.A. TREASURE!" ...Margie J. Reese
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Kwashi receives the Los Angeles County Treasures Award from Margie Reese, General Manager, Los Angeles County Cultural Affairs Department.
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