Gbomasumasua - African Chamber Music

"Gbomasumasua" is a traditional song of the Ewe people of Ghana. It sung from the perspective of a solitary bird (a hawk) who upon seeing a group of birds who assemble in larger numbers, laments his own situation as a minority and not having the same advantages as those in the majority.
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The aim of this project is to change perceptions about how African traditional music can be presented and perceived, with a secondary aim of decolonizing the string quartet and all that it represents.
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Featuring:
Dr. Kofi Gbolonyo (vocals, percussion, arrangements)
Kurai Mubaiwa (mbira, vocals, percussion, arrangements)
Dr. Curtis Andrews (percussion, vocals, arrangements)
Meredith Bates (violin)
Sarah Kwok (viola)
Peggy Lee (cello)
Joshua Zubot (violin)

Recorded on Oct.16, 2023
The Annex
Vancouver, BC

Audio by Marc L'esperance
Video by Alistair Eagle

Presented by Time Will Tell Arts & Caravan World Rhythms

Funding support from BC Arts Council, City of Vancouver, Metro Vancouver, SOCAN Foundation