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Songs of Lake Volta
Joe Sheehan composer, piano
SONGS OF LAKE VOLTA, Joe Sheehan’s debut on Ansonica Records, finds the composer and pianist fusing his passion for the music of West Africa, particularly that of Ghana, with his background in both classical chamber music and contemporary jazz. SONGS OF LAKE VOLTA features nine traditional Ghanian songs surrounded by original music composed by Sheehan, performed by two critically acclaimed groups: Kinetic and Kassia Ensemble.
Sheehan returned to Ghana several times after a life-changing trip in 2008, between 2013 and 2017, to further explore the country and its music. The intensity of these studies, which included many unforgettable late nights drumming and dancing, continued to inspire him, resulting in Kinetic’s 2014 recording, World of Wonder, and now in SONGS OF LAKE VOLTA.
To promote the values of open, critical cross-cultural dialogue, this genre-bending album challenges the persistent notion of drumming being the sole outstanding feature of traditional African music. Kinetic, which Sheehan founded, is comprised of five versatile musicians who believe in breaking down barriers between traditional music genres and audiences. The newly-formed Kassia Ensemble is equally focused on breaking down barriers – the all-woman group came together to supersede the gender barrier that is prevalent in classical music.
SONGS OF LAKE VOLTA features vocalist Anqwenique Wingfield singing in various indigenous languages and styles representative of Ghana’s ethnic diversity. The amalgamation of the Kassia Ensemble’s and Kinetic’s musicians represents an equally diverse spirit, incorporating whose work outside these groups extends to contemporary classical, R&B and hip-hop.
SONGS OF LAKE VOLTA expresses Sheehan’s joy and admiration for Ghanian music in an honest and respectful way, sharing a wisdom that unites the three music traditions from which it draws influence: West African, classical and jazz.
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Track Listing & Credits
| # | Title | Composer | Performer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Akoo Kofi | Ghanaian Traditional, Joseph Sheehan | Kinetic | Anqwenique Wingfield, voice; Anthony Ambroso, guitar; Joseph Sheehan, piano; Jason Rafalak, bass; Ryan Socrates, drums; Kassia Ensemble | Dawn Posey, violin; Si Yu, viola; Katya Janpoladyan, cello; Ashley Freeburn, violin | 4:08 |
| 02 | Damba Suite | Ghanaian Traditional, Joseph Sheehan | Kinetic | Anqwenique Wingfield, voice; Anthony Ambroso, guitar; Joseph Sheehan, piano; Jason Rafalak, bass; Ryan Socrates, drums; Kassia Ensemble | Dawn Posey, violin; Si Yu, viola; Katya Janpoladyan, cello; Maureen Conlon, violin | 6:42 |
| 03 | Nyento | Ghanaian Traditional, Joseph Sheehan | Kinetic | Anqwenique Wingfield, voice; Anthony Ambroso, guitar; Joseph Sheehan, piano; Jason Rafalak, bass; Ryan Socrates, drums; Kassia Ensemble | Dawn Posey, violin; Si Yu, viola; Katya Janpoladyan, cello; Ashley Freeburn, violin | 6:35 |
| 04 | Oye | Ghanaian Traditional, Joseph Sheehan | Kinetic | Anqwenique Wingfield, voice; Anthony Ambroso, guitar; Joseph Sheehan, piano; Jason Rafalak, bass; Ryan Socrates, drums; Kassia Ensemble | Dawn Posey, violin; Si Yu, viola; Katya Janpoladyan, cello; Maureen Conlon, violin | 6:51 |
| 05 | Subo | Ghanaian Traditional, Joseph Sheehan | Kinetic | Anqwenique Wingfield, voice; Anthony Ambroso, guitar; Joseph Sheehan, piano; Jason Rafalak, bass; Ryan Socrates, drums; Kassia Ensemble | Dawn Posey, violin; Si Yu, viola; Katya Janpoladyan, cello | 4:09 |
| 06 | Confornoche | Ghanaian Traditional, Joseph Sheehan | Kinetic | Anqwenique Wingfield, voice; Anthony Ambroso, guitar; Joseph Sheehan, piano; Jason Rafalak, bass; Ryan Socrates, drums; Kassia Ensemble | Dawn Posey, violin; Si Yu, viola; Katya Janpoladyan, cello; Ashley Freeburn, violin | 5:48 |
| 07 | Kekele | Ghanaian Traditional, Joseph Sheehan | Kinetic | Anqwenique Wingfield, voice; Anthony Ambroso, guitar; Joseph Sheehan, piano; Jason Rafalak, bass; Ryan Socrates, drums; Kassia Ensemble | Dawn Posey, violin; Si Yu, viola; Katya Janpoladyan, cello; Ashley Freeburn, violin | 5:06 |
| 08 | Dusime | Ghanaian Traditional, Joseph Sheehan | Kinetic | Anqwenique Wingfield, voice; Anthony Ambroso, guitar; Joseph Sheehan, piano; Jason Rafalak, bass; Ryan Socrates, drums; Kassia Ensemble | Dawn Posey, violin; Si Yu, viola; Katya Janpoladyan, cello; Ashley Freeburn, violin | 7:29 |
| 09 | Dama Dama | Ghanaian Traditional, Joseph Sheehan | Kinetic | Anqwenique Wingfield, voice; Anthony Ambroso, guitar; Joseph Sheehan, piano; Jason Rafalak, bass; Ryan Socrates, drums; Kassia Ensemble | Dawn Posey, violin; Si Yu, viola; Katya Janpoladyan, cello; Ashley Freeburn, violin | 4:42 |
All songs are Ghanaian traditional, with original music composed by Joseph Sheehan
Additional audio recorded by Joseph Sheehan
Recorded in May, October & November 2017 at Maywood Studios Pittsburgh PA
Recording Engineer & Producer Daniel May
Cover Image & Photography Joseph Sheehan
Executive Producer Bob Lord
Executive A&R Sam Renshaw
A&R Brandon MacNeil
Audio Director Jeff LeRoy
Engineering Manager Lucas Paquette
Mastering Shaun Michaud
Design & Marketing Director Brett Picknell
Design Emily Roulo
Artist Information
Joseph Sheehan
Joseph Sheehan composes and performs music to connect with musicians and audiences from diverse traditions. His music has been performed at prestigious concert halls, underground jazz clubs, outdoor music festivals, and intimate chamber settings. Musicians involved with his work include professional performers of jazz, classical, hip-hop, and African traditional music.
Kinetic
Kinetic performs songs immersed in the tropical sounds and rhythms of West Africa. The music and imagery was first imagined in Ghana, where composer Joseph Sheehan spent six months intensively studying Ghanaian music, dance, and culture. This experience, blended with a passion for contemporary jazz, inspires songs with distinctive colors and shapes. The ensemble brings together versatile, open-minded musicians who believe in breaking down barriers between traditional music genres, audiences, and concert spaces.
Kassia
Kassia Ensemble is a chamber group in the city of Pittsburgh. Comprised exclusively of women, its members also hold positions in the Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet orchestras, the West Virginia Symphony, the Wheeling Symphony, and the Canton Symphony Orchestras. The members of the Kassia Ensemble came together in an effort to supersede the gender barrier that is prevalent in classical music. The decision was made to form an all-female ensemble in efforts to create an empowering environment of mutual respect and support which frees women to collaborate and express themselves at the highest levels of musicianship, artistry, and performance. The Kassia Ensemble promotes female entrepreneurship and leadership in the arts, while simultaneously embracing the performers’ unique experiences as women that deepen and expand their own creative output. As a result of their own life experiences, the members of the Kassia Ensemble feel a sense of responsibility to use their talents to promote social justice and engage in charitable projects for the benefit of struggling women. Kassia was a Byzantine abbess, poet, composer, and hymnographer, whose talent and character serve as inspiration for the ensemble.
Notes
Songs of Lake Volta presents nine traditional songs from Ghana, surrounded by original music influenced by contemporary jazz and classical chamber music. At its heart is Ghanaian song: songs of beauty, sadness, and war, sung in different indigenous languages and styles representative of Ghana’s ethnic diversity. Songs that, when I first heard them, astonished me with their elegance, sophistication, and beauty.
I first traveled to Ghana in 2008, largely naïve to its music, people, and culture. However, I possessed an unbounded curiosity and eagerness to learn. What followed was a complete immersion in Ghana’s music and culture for over six months. I lived alone amongst Ghanaians, studying traditional music and dance with several outstanding traditional musicians. Days were filled with hours of practicing, followed by unforgettable nights attending and performing at traditional music events. This experience transformed my understanding of music, and I left in 2009 forever changed as a musician and person.
After returning to the United States, I searched for ways to integrate this inspiring musical experience into my background as a classical composer and jazz pianist. Songs of Lake Volta is the culmination of this search, and draws from years of field research and return trips to Ghana. It seeks a wisdom that, in my opinion, unites the three music traditions it draws influence from: West African traditional, classical, and jazz.
Songs of Lake Volta shares joy, admiration, and knowledge for Ghanaian music in what I hope is an honest, respectful way. However, by explicitly quoting Ghanaian folk sources, crucial questions of cultural integrity and appropriation arise. Sensitive to these issues, I initially questioned the ethics of the project. However, I proceeded in part because of the trust and encouragement the Ghanaian musicians I worked with accorded me. Also, by celebrating Ghana’s folk songs, I hope to challenge persistent notions of drumming being the sole outstanding feature of traditional African music. Finally, I believe the album promotes values of open, critical cross-cultural dialogue. I hope that Ghanaians who listen to the work hear their music in a new, inspiring context.
Songs of Lake Volta was supported by 2014 Rev. Alphons Loogman, C.S.Sp., Faculty Research Grant from Duquesne University Center for African Studies, and a 2015 Duquesne University Presidential Scholarship Award.
– Joe Sheehan
