The magic of the Ghana Benin Jazz project on display at 233 Club Accra

The Ghana-Benin Jazz Project is a collaboration between some of Ghana’s finest young jazz talents – namely top tenor saxophonist Bernard Ayisa, prodigiously talented keyboardist Victor Dey and powerhouse drummer Frank Kissi – along with a rhythm section comprising two of the Benin Republic’s finest jazz instrumentalists, Manou Falla on bass and Josephat Honou on drums (both  well-known faces on the Accra jazz scene) and featuring a sterling guest turn by American virtuoso jazz guitarist, Colter Harper.

At the event held at Accra’s premier jazz music venue, the +233 Club, a full house of jazz afficionadoes was treated to an incredible performance from this array of talented musicians. The fare consisted largely of original compositions. It was virtually impossible to single out anyone of the artistes as a standout performer, being that all of these talents had an opportunity to showcase their excellent skills.

From the exceptional tonal excellence and dexterity of Ayisa and Harper, to the genius of Victor Dey, the powerful bass heroics of Falla and the crescendo being a dual solo pyrotechnics of the two master drummers, Kissi and Honou, it was simply a joy to behold. There is precious little the writer could find by way of criticism, other than the deceptive modesty of frontman Ayisa, whose hilariously misleading comment at the onset was to say, “I really don’t know what this is going to sound like”. The simple answer was that it sounded absolutely sublime, with five African jazz instrumentalists at the absolute top of their game, and brilliant input from American jazz ambassador Colter Harper to this great mix.

Accra was truly priviledged to witness this performance. It really should not be a one-off or indeed a gift that the city should keep to itself – the rest of Africa ought to jealously demand a piece of the Ghana-Benin Jazz Project offering. It certainly deserves it!