Alfred Ladzekpo is Co-Director of the African Music and Dance Program at California Institute of the Arts. A native of Ghana, Ladzekpo is a specialist in the sogo drum. He has founded several programs and ensembles dedicated to preserving and advancing the musical heritage of Ghana, and lectures widely on the subject in the United States.
African Music and Dance, Co-Director; African Music and Dance Program CalArts, has chaired the World Music Program studied at Columbia University, where he also taught drum and song seminars in African music and dance for three years. He has performed widely in the eastern United States and given lecture-demonstrations throughout the country. He has performed similar functions in Ghana, where at age 13, he co-founded the Lashibi Agahu music and dance group. In 1957, he founded and led the Anlo Awoame Fia School Atsiagbekor music and dance group. He has been the lead drummer for the Gbeho Research Group, the Uhuru Dance Band and the National Dance Company, in Accra, Ghana. In l969, he recorded African Dances and Games in New York. In 1992, he attended the first International Symposium in Amsterdam on teaching world music in the West. He received a BA in Journalism from California State University Northridge (1974) and a JD from the Peoples College of Law (1983). He gave lecture-demonstrations, performances, and taught music and dance workshops throughout Israel. In l994, he joined the music faculty of Pomona College. Recently he wrote FeFe an African Music, Dance and Theatre piece.
Alfred Ladzekpo discusses improvisation within the context of Ghanaian dance music. He stresses that you must be careful how you improvise in Ghanian dance music because it might confuse the dancer.
Alfred Ladzekpo discusses teaching students how to play the sogo drum. He explains that he teaches his students to play the sogo drum based on his own learning experiences. Also in this segment, he discusses how he taught Afrcan music and dance at Columbia University before coming to teach at Cal Arts and now also has an interest in writing plays.
Alfred Ladzekpo discusses genres in Ghanaian music. He also explains how percussionists communicate with dancers. He plays all types of musical styles and explains the different instruments in Ghanaian music. He describes how the songs can be cyclical and are sometimes about the social life of the people. Also in this segment, he explains parts of a Ghanaian dance while it is demonstrated.
Alfred Ladzekpo discusses tempo, rhythm, patterns, and intervals in Ghanaian music. He stresses that it is very important to be able to hear intervals and if you can hear the intervals correctly, you can play with others. Also in this segment, he demonstrates intervals on the drums.
Alfred Ladzekpo discusses the importance of playing music to promote community in Ghana and explains a musicians role in the society. He stresses that music is an activity for the community.
