Frank Elinam, leader of North Wings Band
North Wings Band last week won the first prize of the New Music Ghana competition, which was held at the Youth Home Centre in the Northern regional capital, Tamale.
The eight-piece band, comprising youthful musicians, swayed the judges with a magnetic stagecraft, an effective blending of traditional/western musical instruments and infectious lyrics that captured the attention of the audience.
Clad colourful costumes, the group entertained the audience with a fine combination of Bamaya, Gahu and Agbadza with jazz and highlife, thereby drawing huge cheers and applause from the audience.
Trumpets, keyboards, djembes from North Wings created a cool atmosphere as percussive instruments and western drum sets pounded the cold night air at the Youth Home Centre.
Suhuyini, Yurlim, Young Echoes and Bizung School Bands took the second, third, fourth and fifth positions respectively in the keenly contested competition, which has managed to serve as a platform for young musicians to promote themselves over the past five years. All groups received cash prizes totalling GH ¢3,000.00.
As part of the festival, B. A Konlaan (Chairman, MUSIGA- Northern Region), Dela Botri (Flutist, Composer) and Abdul Rahaman Mohammed (Dancer, Choreographer) moderated a number of workshops on various topics relating to marketing and new ways of expressing Ghanaian music.
New Music Ghana Festival (NMGF) has succeeded in bringing young and veteran musicians together and has been a catalyst for the re-emergence of live band music.
Indeed, it has revitalised a proud sense of cultural identity among young Ghanaian musicians.
NMGF also assists young musicians to shape their musical and social skills that are necessary to ensure a smooth transition into the professional world. Undeniably, it has the potential of becoming the springboard that would launch a new era of Ghana’s popular music on the global arena.
The festival, which was organised by the Institute for Music and Development, was sponsored by the Goethe-Institut in Accra in collaboration with Arterial Network Ghana.
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