Ozi Ozaa Profile |
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Ghanaian Yaw Asumadu and Brit Rob Navratil are the core members of Ozi Ozaa, a groundbreaking fusion band mixing traditional Ghanaian music with many other genres from across the world. The other band members are from diverse backgrounds, including Israel, Nigeria and Italy, and each member brings music from their respective countries to the mix. Instrumentally, the group consists of electric guitar and bass, drum kit, and horns. Vocals are sung both in Ga (the regional language of Accra) and English. They incorporate dancing into their performances: both dancers outside the band and the members themselves. The result of this is a fusion band with a very distinct African twist; Ozi Ozaa weave genres as disparate as traditional Ghanaian folk songs with African pop genres such as and hi-life, as well as funk, soul, rock, and jazz. |
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Yaw and Rob met in London in 2006 and began working and performing together as freelance musicians across the UK. As their working relationship grew they realised they shared the same high professional standards and attitude towards performing and teaching, always pushing performance boundaries, be it with pupils or in their own composition and performance work. In 2008, Yaw and Rob were inspired to form Ozi Ozaa, meaning ‘Work & Happiness’; a company which would promote their musical philosophies and bring enjoyment to school children and professional audiences alike. |
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Yaw Asumadu Yaw was born in Accra, Ghana, to a family of spiritual musicians and dancers, and started playing drums at the age of five. When he was ten he joined the African Combined Group and at college was taught Atenteben Flute and music theory by Nana Danso. For 12 years he worked and played with Nana in the Ghana Pan African Orchestra becoming the orchestra’s Master Drummer and Assistant Conductor touring the United States, Canada, Europe, South Africa and West Africa. In 1992 Yaw appeared on Stevie Wonder’s workshop demo in Ghana. |
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Rob Navratil Rob was born in Sheffield where he began playing drums at a young age in Bands and Ensembles of South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire. He began studying percussion at the age of 12 playing with the award winning Derbyshire County Youth Wind Band which he joined as its youngest member in 1994 performing at the Royal Albert Hall and in Holland, Israel and Japan. |
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Lekan Shobiyi is a Guitarist and Producer/Arranger born in Lagos, Nigeria. He first picked up the guitar at the age of 15 after listening to the beautiful sound of Nigerian Fuji Music. Lekan went on to play, record and tour with some of the the biggest artists in Nigeria including King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1 The Ultimate), Tony Tetuila, Dbanj (The Koko Master) and more. Over the last few years, Lekan has performed at festivals across the UK, Autumn 2009 saw him take to the road with Netsayi backing her on guitar and Bvox in support of celebrated South Africans, Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Now back in London, Lekan works with bands such as The Mbawula Band Led by Paul Batholomew, Marsha Garrick, and Luyanda Jezile. He appears alongside Yaw Asumadu performing on the new album 'Family connections by Oren Marshal. Lekan is a versatile musician whose work combines Jazz, African music, Latin, Neu Soul, R & B, and World Music in general. He lists his influences as Prince Adekunle, King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, John Pizzarelli, George Benson, Norman Brown, Peter White, and Oren Marshall |
Matteo Grassi is an experienced session musician who has worked with many different artists since the age of 12. Born and raised in Umbria, Italy, he toured the country with different music projects and collaborated with many different musicians from the peninsula. He relocated to London in 2006 continuing many colaborations both live and in the studio. Matteo arranges and produces as well as performing bass and guitar with some of London's finest bands in the World Music Scene, bands such as Afrik Bawantu, Jally Keba Susso & the Manding Sabu, Tony Dudu and Gumbe Jazz, Connie Bell, Jahcub and the ChosenOnes. Matteo began playing with Ozi Ozaa in summer 2010 |
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Afla Sackey was born in Ghana. From the age of six he performed with Opense Folkloric group, eventually becoming their principal drummer. At sixteen he left to join Folkloric Selamla as a dancer. He returned to music in 1995, performing with Barkim Music Ensemble. After completing a degree in science at the University of Legon he was lured back to the stage by his love for music and an opportunity to visit the UK with the Kakatsitsi Master Drummers. He then spent 6 years with Adzido Pan-African Dance Ensemble as a dancer. He has been Dance Carib´s lead choreographer since 2003. Afla performs regularly with his own group Afrik Bawantu. |
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Pete Horsfall |
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Andrew Woolf |
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Nim Sadot |
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All photos © Nat Singh 2010. Use for promotional purposes only with prior consent |
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