DELA BOTRI, founder and leader. He started his music
career at an early age, and by 10, had become adept playing his favorite instrument, the Atenteben.
At 15, he joined Nyame Mei Cultural troupe (Cape Coast), with which he performed to the
admiration of many audiences. Dela Botri later joined the Pan African Orchestra where he
excelled at his favorite atenteben until 1995 when he decided to form his own
group. On one of their musical tours to the United Kingdom (London) while with the Pan
African Orchestra in 1994, he met Professor Oren Marshall and Dr Malana, who helped him
considerably in shaping his musical future. Dela Botri is highly sought as a music
teacher, and now teaches the Atenteben in the following schools; (a) Restoration Academy
in Dansoman, Accra (b) Bishop Bowers in Lartebiokorshie, Accra (c) Martin Depores,
Dansoman Accra, (d) 5 Garrison Schools Burma Camp Accra. He is a composer and also
arranges songs for the group.
CLEMENCE KOSI ADOM, Artistic
Director
Mr. Adom is a professional teacher. He entered the National Academy of Music in Winneba in
1976 where he did a four year diploma course in Music Education. In 1989, he entered the
University of Ghana, Legon where he read Religion, Philosophy and Music for the First
University Examinations. He obtained his Bachelor of Music in 1992. Mr Adom has spent most
of his working life as a music educator. From 1975 to 1994, he taught in various schools
and colleges. He received the School of Performing Arts Patrons' Best Performer Award in
1991, and Best all Round Performer in Music in 1992. In 1994-95, he was at the University
of Texas at Austin on an exchange programme between Univeristy of Texas and University of
Ghana, Legon. He is currently working at the
International Centre of African Music and Dance, University of Ghana as a Senior Research
Assistant in charge of Educational Outreach Programmes. He is also doing his Master of
Philosophy in Music at the University of Ghana, Legon.He had another opportunity to
represent the Centre at Seoul 96 P'iri festival in South Korea. He is in charge of the
musical direction of Hewale Sounds. Since 1972 he has been involved in organizing and
teaching Church Choirs.
OSEI JOHN KORANKYE, showed interest in music quite early
and so he approached his grandfather to teach him how to play the Seperewa. By the age of
12 he started playing the Seperewa. Osei is a very good player of the instrument and is
currently the demonstrator of the Seperewa at the International Center for African Music
and Dance. He is a composer as well, and has composed some songs for Hewale. He is the
assistant leader of the group.
KWAME DZIMESAH BOKU, showed much interest
in music quite early and by the age of 14 he had joined Okotobrigya, a youth group that
specialized in performing traditional music. He started by playing Gome, a traditional
square frame drum of the Ga, and eventually became equally proficient playing the gonje
and atenteben with Hewale Sounds. In his leisure he also plays the bass guitar.
SUKURA AARON BEBE, showed great enthusiasm
for music at an early age where he used to worry his father to teach him to play the
Xylophone. At times, when his father was playing, he would sit on the opposite side of the
instrument, hold the beaters and attempt to play alongside his father. Eventually, when he
was older, his father began to teach him to play the instrument the xylophone. Aaron today
is an accomplished xylophone instructor at the Music Department of the School of
Performing Arts, University of Ghana, Legon. He has keen interest in learning other
instruments as well. He also plays the Seperewa Atenteben, Mbira and guitar. He is the
master xylophonist of Hewale Sounds, and also does a bit of drumming.
JOHN QUARYE QUARSHIE developed interest in music quite
early. Because of his musical interests, he joined a youth group called West African
Folkloric group where he sang and played the Atenteben. He later on joined the Pan African
Orcherstra for a brief spell of time under the tutelage of Dela Botri. When later Dela
Botri formed the Hewale Sounds he joined him. He is one of the leading Atenteben players
of the group.
AKWETEH EMMANUEL YARTEY is a percussionist for
Hewale Sounds; he previously played for Tsuiana Cultural Troupe in 1981 and later on
joined Hewale Sounds.
OKOE YARTEY is the twin brother of Akwetey
Yartey. He joined Tsuiana Cultural troupe, Suku Cultural troupe and later Hewale Sounds.
He also plays percussion for Hewale Sounds.
NII OKAI ARYEETEY. He started his musical career
with Okotobrigya then moved on to New Earth Gospel Band and is now with Hewale Sounds. He
plays Maracas, Drums, Dawuro,(bells) Atenteben, and sings as well.
ADJETEY QUARSHIE joined Hewale Sounds as a
percussionist, a role he has been playing creditably up till now.
BERNARD KWARSHIE started his musical life
with Nyame Mei cultural Troupe where he played Gome. Later he joined Okotobrigya cultural
troupe He is now with Hewale Sounds. He has incredible technique on the Gome, his
principal instrument.
LYDIA AKUA ANIMA started her musical life quite
early in the primary school. When she was still in 5th grade, she joined the
Sunyani Odumase Anuonyam Nwonkworo as a singer under the tutelage of Ama Foriwaa. In 1991,
she was employed by the Sunyani Cultural Centre as a dancer/singer. She stayed there for
seven years performing in many places within the country. On a visit to Legon, she met
Professors Mawere Opoku and Kwabena Nketia who recognised her potential. They were
instrumetal in her coming down to ICAMD. Since April 1998, she has been working with
Hewale Sounds.
AGYEI BOAHEMAA PATRICIA started singing
at an early age, and was soon leading soloist at her church. She eventually joined a local
amateur group that specialised in Kete, a royal court dance of the Akan of Ghana.
In 1984, she joined another group - Nyame Anuonyam Nnwonkoro, that performed
songs and dances. After ten years with this group she was appointed as Dancer/Demonstrator
with the Sunyani Centre for National Culture, a position she held until September 1998
when she joined Hewale Sounds.
JOE MOKWUNYEI, known on stage as Joe Moks,
is a performing artist and currently a Senior Fellow of the International Centre for
African Music and Dance under the directorship of Emeritus Professor J.H Kwabena Nketia.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Music and a Master's in Theatre Arts. She features as
guest artist with Hewale Sounds, and shares her expertise in performance techniques with
the ensemble. Joe is on study leave from her primary employment in Nigeria, where she
teaches music and theatre arts at the University of Benin.
JASPER YAO ADDO, Manager
Mr Addo is an archivist. He graduated with a BA from the University of Ghana, Legon, in
1990. He worked briefly with the Ghana Education Service, and went back to the university
to obtain a graduate diploma degree in Archival Studies. He is currently archivist at the
International Centre for African Music and Dance, University of Ghana, Legon. Addo is in
charge of general administration of Hewale Sounds.
MAXWELL AGYEI ADDO, Sound Engineer
Mr Addo is an archivist. He entered University of Ghana in 1987 and obtained his Bachelor
of Arts (Hons) degree in Political Science with Philosophy in 1990. He worked with the
Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Legon as a Research Assistant. In 1992
he enrolled for a graduate diploma in Archival Studies. He is currently working at the
International Centre for African Music and Dance, University of Ghana as an archivist in
charge of Audio visual/recordings. Max, as he is popularly known , is in charge of sound
engineering and recording of performance on Video.