Ghanaian trumpeter to play charity concert with Dutch orchestra

Held to coincide with Easter Sunday, the show, dubbed African Vibes: New Music From Ghana, will see Amo perform a number of compositions alongside Music Stages, a section of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Music Stages, who are also producing the charity concert, told Music In Africa that the show would form part of a long-term project and aligned with their belief that live music needs to develop at a constant rate.

“That’s why we invest in new collaborations and look to expand the scope of so-called classical music. With his background and his talent, Berima Amo is a perfect partner for us,” they said, adding that with the concert they hope to show that it pays to explore new artistic areas.

“We are working together on a number of workshop-type sessions. It is important to realise that even some of the best classical musicians need a different set of skills to perform Amo’s music well. We will continue this process over the year to come closer to his musical language. At the same time, the musicians of the Concertgebouworkest and their expertise also benefit the overall artistic value of our project. A classic win-win.”

Amo said: “It’s interesting because most of the orchestra folks haven’t even heard African music until now and they are excited about the new challenge. For me, also as a cultural entrepreneur who is promoting African culture in Europe, it’s great when musicians from different backgrounds come together and exchange ideas and culture.”

The African Vibes: New Music From Ghana concert will premiere at 5pm CAT. Donations to the Wajir water project and Music Stages can be made here.

Meanwhile, Amo’s latest single ‘Africa Was Born in Me’ was released on 6 March to coincide with the 64th anniversary of Independence Day in Ghana. Last year, he also secured an endorsement deal with Austrian trumpet maker Schagerl.