Abass Brings Joy Through African Music

 This delightful feature was published in My Weekly magazine in March 2022, 

telling the extraordinary success story of Abass Dodoo

 

When Master African drummer, Abass Dodoo remembers, he pauses in silence and chokes back the tears. 

 

This was the defining moment in his childhood in Ghana that set the direction for his entire life, an extraordinary life of international travel and stardom.

 

“My grandmother had started teaching me drumbeats from the age of six. She saw talent in me. One day she took my hands and placed them in my uncle’s hands and said ‘I am giving you these hands to train in the drumming traditions of our ancestors. These hands will be your legacy in the future.’

 

“My uncle had the responsibility to mentor me as his protégé because the matriarch of our family had chosen me.”

 

Abass, now 51, was just 10 when this profound honour and heavy responsibility was bestowed on his young shoulders. His dreams of being a pilot were cast aside.

 

A shy and quiet boy, he knew his destiny was to carry on the sacred traditions passed down from his lineage of distinguished Ghanaian drummers. 

 

His heartfelt desire is to bring joy through authentic African drumming, song and dance. 

 

“My mission on this planet is to make people happy. Life is so difficult for many. The best thing to offer people is a sense of joy that stays with them.”

 

Based in London for over 20 years, Abass is constantly aware of his deep roots in Ghanaian culture and cherishes the beach village of Kokrobite where he grew up. 

 

“I know where I came from and I know where I’m going”, he states with a rare certainty of purpose.  

 

Strict Childhood Training

 

Training on the drums as a child was intensive. “We would practise right through the night. Uncle Mustapha was a busy man so he would call me and my cousins at 8 pm after prayers and we would play until 5 am in the morning. I would nod off into a deep sleep but still manage to keep the beat.”

 

His maternal uncle, Mustapha Tettey Addy, became famous in the 1960s leading the first ever Ghanaian drumming group to tour the UK and Europe. The five talented brothers recorded an historic live album of an enthralling performance in the dynamic Africa Centre in London.

 

International Stardom

 

Abass toured Europe, North America and Africa with Mustapha and the Royal Obonu Drummers in his 20s, in the 1990s. He simultaneously toured Germany as a solo performer. He was still living in Ghana and teaching at the African Academy of Arts, sharing the joy of drumming with students. 

 

However in 1998 his life changed dramatically when he was recruited by the acclaimed Adzido Dance Ensemble. He moved to London and performed around the world with the spectacular group for eight sensational years. 

  

Abass recalls: “We performed dances from all over Africa. It was an amazing time. I learnt to play all the different beats and rhythms from every African country. As a musician you never stop learning.”

 

With this highly acclaimed group, he performed for Her Majesty the Queen and the royal family in Buckingham Palace and famous leaders and musicians including Nelson Mandala, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan, Maya Angelou, Michael Jackson, Sir Richard Branson and presidents and prime ministers!  

 

 

One-drum Means Unity

 

When Abass left Adzido he set up his own company, One-Drum, meaning unity, in 2005, performing with an array of impressive musicians. His success led to more performances for the Queen and dignitaries at royal events including the   

Commonwealth Day celebrations in March 2018, 2019 and 2020.

 

This charismatic man resplendent in colourful Ghanaian outfits with his dazzling smile and big heart delights children with workshops in schools, brings fun and laughter to corporate team-building events and transforms weddings and private functions into extraordinary celebrations. Spectacular fire-eating acrobatics add to the thrill of the irresistible music.

 

A Fusion of Musical Cultures

 

Another exciting chapter opened for Abass when he met legendary drummer Ginger Baker, who played with Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce in the 60s rock band, Cream. 

 

The two talented drummers from different backgrounds performed together in the Ginger Baker Jazz Confusion quartet at jazz venues and festivals around the globe for 12 years until Ginger’s death at the age of 80 in 2019.

 

They recorded the album Why in 2014 and Abass played on Van Morrison’s album, Duets.

 

On October 7 this year, Abass hosted a stunning musical tribute to his close friend, Ginger Baker at the elegant Hackney Empire.

 

He recalls how they met. “I’d heard about Ginger Baker from my uncle JC Commodore in Ghana as a kid, and the name sounded like ‘Gin Jamaica’. I imagined a black Rasta man like Bob Marley. So when I met him years later, a white man with grey-streaked red hair, it was quite a shock!”  

 

Their meeting was a collision of musical souls, and their friendship became deep and strong for the rest of Ginger’s life. He grew so attached to Abass he refused to go on stage without him. 

 

Abass explains their unique musical fusion. “Drumming is a universal language and all western music… gospel, blues, country, folk, rock, jazz… originated from Africa. So there was a natural fit between our styles of drumming.”

 

Devoted to Young People

 

The father of two daughters, Abass cares about future generations. In 2019 with Ginger, he started the One Drum Foundation charity to help disadvantaged urban youth and prevent drug abuse and knife crime. 

He runs African drumming workshops for youth, as a source of inspiration and guidance. And he gives workshops to children with disabilities, who love their exuberant drumming sessions that build confidence and skills. 

 

Abass Dodoo is living his mission, bringing the joy of African music to people of all ages and all cultures every day.

 

For more information, visit One Drum