Wazumbians 2023 US Tour

 

The Wazumbians from Ghana performing at SOBs in Manhattan, June 19th 2023

After witnessing their scintillating Juneteenth set at SOBs, It is easy to see why the Wazumbians are considered one of the top live acts in Ghana. The percussion rich 7 member group, just a fraction of the full band which has over 20 members, but the sound was honed to sharp Afrofusion grooves based in Highlife, Afrobeat and indigenous rhythms that seamlessly stretched one into the next over duration of the 90 minute set.

Francis Chapman Abban-Hagan Wazumbi (keyboardist/leader singer), Isaac Twum.. (bassist), Evans Aduful..  (guitarist), Desmond Kwame Bonney..  (drum), Prince Kwame Addo..  (Trumpeter), Karimu Kada.. (percussionist)

The band is charting its own course following the vision of its leader Francis Chapman Abban-Hagan, more broadly known as “Wazumbi”. During the pandemic The Wazumbians started Jankalanga, monthly live broadcasts on Facebook, from ASK-TK studios in Accra. “Jankalanga is a festival I created to present Africa rhythms, melodies, knowledge and stories, sometimes alone sometimes with other artists.” They reached a wide audience.

Wazumbians Jankalanga recorded live at ASK-TK studios in Accra, October 21st 2022

They discovered a paradox, Even thought heir music was rooted in Ghana itwas more popular with international audiences and in Nigeria than it was at home. Analytics told them they were reaching international ears in a far greater number. The band’s leader Francis Chapman Abban-Hagan, “Wazumbi” realized his audience was an international one, “the western world, they appreciate our kind of rhythm, while artists in Ghana are leaving what belongs to Ghana and are focusing on western music styles.”

The Wazumbians performing at the International Afriican Arts Festival in Brooklyn’s Commodore Barry Park

Their set at SOBs featured music from their current album  “Takonasi” which means “Under the Big Tree” in the Fante dialect of Western Ghana. The big tree is a place in the town where people meet, after work, to play games, tell stories and play music. Traditional storytelling songs hard work, and patience is the subject on some the songs on the album, inspired by this traditional way of educating the youth. The lyrics of the songs follow that established path while the music is more experimental exploring fusions of modern and indigenous rhythms.

The Wazumbians performing at the International Afriican Arts Festival in Brooklyn’s Commodore Barry Park

 

The Wazumbians were joined by dancer Mary2Drum for a joyous set at The International African Arts Festival in Commodore Barry Park, Brooklyn’s oldest park. The crowd was taken by suprise by the bands intensity as they ripped into their Highlife and Afrobeat distilled through the infectious good energy. The band has one more gig in New York City, at Silvana in Harlem, July 14thfollowed by gigs in Atlanta, Philadelphia, the Smithsonian Museum of African Art in Washington DC, Chicago and the Flipside Festival in Idaho.

Francis Chapman Abban-Hagan Wazumbi playing Keytar at SOBS

“Not only Ghana but Africa is inclusive in what i do. “ Francis says about the music,The foundation is thedrummer, Desmond Kwame Bonney and percussionist Karimu Kada. On “My Own Way” a highlife tune the bass player, Isaac Twum, tracked the melody line of Francis’ vocals as he sung about young couple getting to know each other. Another Highlife tune  “Aku Kweku” is about google replacing traditional values a message for youths today. “Ndidi Amaka” is based on an afrobeat with highlife flavor urges young listeners to “have patience please, take your time”. Funky Highlife song “I Love You Baby” and Highlife tune “Happy Yourself” both are sung in English and feature the trumpet player Prince Kwame Addo. “Ayakataa” an Afrobeat rhythm based song about holding politicians accountable. Francis says “A song that we did to draw attention to how they address the electorate the bull by the horn, and hold them to their words”.

2nd album “Takonasi” from the Wazumbians

Francis began his professional career as a producer, sound engineer and multi-instrumentalist and now owns TF Productions in Accra. "I came to music through my sound engineering" he told us. Trained by the legendary soundman “Sarge”, Francis worked with various gospel artists, also Ras Minano, 2Face, Righteous Man, and Papa Yankson among others. He went on to be the musical director for Blakk Rasta's band and started The Wazumbians in 2016.

The Wazumbians performing at the International Afriican Arts Festival in Brooklyn’s Commodore Barry Park