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Chata Addy and SHI DAH

chata2.jpg (76616 bytes)Shi Dah (means "thank you" in Ga) is a group who perform West African traditional drumming and dance. Dressed in their traditional multi-colored costumes, Chata's Shi Dah program adds an additional element to the learning experience by providing students with an opportunity to experience not only their difference in culture and traditions, but also the subtle gender differences inherent in any cultural expression.
Shi Dah has worked with dancers nationally to present traditional Ghanaian music and dance. They have performed at various festivals, celebrations, and opened for international musicians on tour. With the talents of both Chata and his guests, students are enmeshed into an experience that leaves them with an appreciation of different cultures. They gain this new awareness through a journey that taps into their own feelings of joy and happiness.

Chata Addy

Professional Drummer, Composer, Dancer, Teacher and Choreographer

Performance Background in GHANA

1985 - 1967: Lead dancer, Percussion: Stage performances with my father,
Tete Kojo Addy in the family's traditional group, Red boneh.
1985-1981: Band Leader, Lead Singer, Composer, Conga Drummer:
Marriott Culture Group traditional Highlife music.
1984-1983: Teacher of Drumming and Dance: Togo
1984-1983: Stage performances with various Ghanaian music groups: Togo, Ghana
1979: Conga Drummer: Black Beats, a Highlife band playing contemporary Ghanaian and American music.
1977-1976: Lead Dancer, Vocals, and Acting: Television performances with Numu wo ko my brother, Kpani Addy's group and with other musical groups in Ghana,
Ghanaian Broadcasting Corporation.
1975-1974: Teacher of Drumming and Dance: Schools in Ghana, all ages
1972-1971: Lead Dancer, Vocals, and Acting: Performances with Numu wo ko
("God never sleeps"), Kpani Addy's group.
1970: Dancer: Red boneh, Ghanaian National Dance Competition, and First Place.
Toured Ghana.
1970: Television appearances with Red boneh, Ghanaian Broadcasting Corporation.

Chata Addy

Professional Drummer, Composer, Dancer, Teacher and Choreographer

I was born in the Ga, traditional area of Ghana, West Africa in 1960 into a large family of drummers, dancers and singers. At a very early age I was taught to dance and play drums by my father, Tete Kojo Addy, a much-respected composer, drummer and dancer. In 1985 I came to the United States to perform with my Uncle Yukubu Addy.

1988 - Present: Band Leader, Composer, Lead Singer, Tri-Conga and Percussion:
SUSUMA, which means soul in Ga, is a contemporary Afro/Reggae Funky Highlife Band. First incarnation, Mii SHAE, formed in Ashland, then moved to Seattle, and now is based in Portland, Oregon. SUSUMA has opened for I.K. Dairo, Jimmy Cliff, Diblo and Lokato, Les Tête Brulées and Nzuake M'Bula.
1985 - Present: Drumming & Dancing Teacher: All ages, all levels - Schools, festivals, community and cultural events.
1987 to Present: Solo Performer: Ashland, OR. Seattle, WA., Portland, OR.
1990-1991: Conga Drummer: Village Drum, a traditional group playing Liberian music, Seattle, WA.
1990-1991: Conga Drummer: Afro Sound, a group playing contemporary African music, Seattle, WA. Studio recording, tape release.
1988: Conga Drummer, Dancer: O.J. Ekemode and the Nigerian Allstars, an Afro Beat band. Toured the U.S.
1987 to 1996: Dancer, Drummer, and Singer: Performances with Kukrudu and Okropong, my uncle, Obo Addy's contemporary and traditional groups, Portland, OR. Toured the U.S. and Canada.
1985: Dancer, Drummer: Performances with Odada, my uncle, Yukubu Addy's traditional group, Washington, D.C. Toured the U.S. and Japan.

SELECTED RECORDINGS

This Is What I feel, 1998 Chata Addy & Susuma CD/Cassette
THE CHILDREN Chata Addy & Susuma CD/Cassette
SHI DAH Solo Tape
E Dide Studio Conga drummer: King Sunny Ade Release

CHATA ADDY

Drummer, Dancer, Composer, and Teacher

chata1.jpg (92127 bytes)Chata offers a cultural experience program for children that last approximately fifty minutes. This cultural program has been presented around the country. Chata's curriculum consists of several traditional songs and dances that he performs in traditional costumes to the accompaniment of his own studio recordings. All of Chata's recordings are of his own works on traditional Ghana percussion instruments. Chata talks about his own native country, its location, its people, and life growing up in Ghana. Chata demonstrates and describes each one of his musical instruments. He tells how each one is used in African traditional music, by using its Ghanaian name, which he has the students repeat. Chata teaches the children to sing a song in his own language and he often encourages the children to sing along with him. He invites students to join him by playing one of the instruments or learning his dance steps. Chata gives each student a different rhythm on the drums and the ensemble plays while Chata helps the volunteer dancers. Chata rotates these activities a few times so many students can learn, explore and perform Ghanaian music. This direct involvement with the learning experience enhances the students' learning and enjoyment.

Percussion Workshops

Working with a small group of 20 or so students, Chata spends an hour showing how various West African instruments are played. He discusses the role each instrument has in its traditional musical style. He then encourages the students to try some basic techniques in playing percussions. It is through this process that a percussion orchestra is formed. During this workshop, the students not only learn how to play an African instrument, but they learn how important it is to work together as a team. After the workshop, the students are given the opportunity to perform what they have rehearsed.

Dance Workshops

Steps and songs associated with a traditional social dance from Ghana are taught during a one-hour dance workshop. After a brief 15-20 minute aerobic warm-up to selections from the sounds of reggae, funky and world beat contemporary dance music, Chata breaks down the various dance elements into individual steps that the students can learn.

The students gain an appreciation for the movements and ceremonies associated with traditional African dances as Chata guides them into how dancers communicate with the drum. In Africa, the dancers and drummers communicate through their movement. The student dancers have the opportunity then to perform the dance that they have learned for the whole school at Chata's all school assembly programs.

Residency Programs

Chata Addy is available for a variety of residency programs. This provides students an opportunity to experience an in-depth study of West African culture and music. Residency programs are varied and tailored to meet each organization's individual needs, which can include a week of workshops and performances by Chata Addy alone, or a combination program.
Chata begins the residency with dance and percussion groups, expanding upon the basic concept described in his individual workshops. In these small groups, he teaches the fundamentals of Ghanaian dance and percussion. The dance group learns at least one entire Ghanaian dance, perhaps more; the percussion group learns the accompanying rhythms. The teaching culminate in a performance at the end of the residency where the two groups work together.

All residencies are designed to be interactive, hands on, skill-building sessions. The students have the opportunity to work closely with Chata Addy and individual band members while in the process of learning about a culture completely different than their own. These programs often include study in the areas of drumming or percussion, dance, culture, food, costumes. Residencies can be structured to last for a week, a month, or a school year. The experience exposes them to the people, the music, the dance and lifestyle of West Africa.

Program Fees:

1 Solo Program  $350   2 Workshops & 1 Solo   $700
1 Duo Program  $550  Workshops Only (each)   $300
1 Workshop & 1 Solo  $500

 

Travel stipend 30 miles $30 Additional Solo Performance  
Outside of Portland at the same location: $200  Duo performances: $250

For booking and information please call: 1(503)632-0411 or email: ChataAddy9@AOL.Com

 

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Last modified: Sunday, July 09, 2006
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