The BIMHUIS celebrates Keti Koti with a festive program dedicated to the diversity in Afro music.
The Amsterdam district De Bijlmer houses great and renowned musicians who sometimes remain unheard and unseen. In the past three years Konrad Koselleck and his big band collaborated with performers from De Bijlmer, giving them space to express their stories. Bijlmer Master Drummers follows up on their earlier projects.
The focus lies on four ‘master drummers’ comming from De Bijlmer and South East Amsterdam: Kofi Ayivor (of the internationally known group Osibisa), Marius Tjon (of Fra Fra Sound), Yusuf Nuweku (percussionist with, among others, Womack & Womack, Atongo Zimba and Sabrina Starke) and Derek Simpey Nkansah (Bijlmer Steelband). The program kicks off with the different backgrounds of these masters: Kofi Ayivor grew up with the Ewe tribe in Ghana and is deeply rooted in African music; Marius Tjon was born in Surinam and is specialized in Latin American percussion; Yusuf Nuweku is skilled in all the Ghanian traditions; Derek Simpey Nkansah has been an excellent steelpan player from a very young age and is the musical leader of the Bijlmer Steelband.
The music of the Konrad Koselleck Big Band unites people. The leading orchestra offers its audience inspiring, adventurous and groundbreaking concerts with artistic, emotional and social relevance. With music as a connector, the big band aims to reach different audiences and cultures.
‘Sure, it’s as loud and impressive as a big band is supposed to be, but beyond that it’s a revelation to hear how serene this bunch of metal can become, how Koselleck makes use of all the dynamic possibilities of his ensemble’ (de Volkskrant).
Konrad Koselleck Big Band
Kofi Ayivor, Marius Tjon, Yusuf Nuweku, Derek Simpey Nkansah drums