The Viljandi traditional music festival announced its first foreign artists. It has been confirmed that Ghanaian singer Florence Adoon with her rhythm group and John André Eira’s Gabba band will perform for audiences at the festival.
The 31st Viljandi Traditional Music Festival “Patterns and Traces”, which will take place at the end of July 2024, examines the unique sound patterns of traditional music, which help to strengthen and recognize the cultural diversity of different peoples.
Florence Adooni, of Ghana, is one of the cultivators of the frafra gospel, which flourished in her homeland, created to be sung in crowded Sunday services and supported by active applause. Florence Adoon’s expressive style mixes with another Ghanaian musical tradition: melodically and rhythmically pulsating high waistwhere the local traditions of Ghana take fire from the ideas of pop, rock and jazz with the inclusion of brass instruments.
Ando Kiviberg, head of the Viljandi traditional music festival, attended Florence Adoon’s concert in October this year at Womex, which is the most important festival presenting traditional and world music genres in the world.
“Florence Adooni performed with her band on one of the main stages, and this performance immediately captivated the audience. Their crazy energy, rhythmic dance performance and music strongly built on their own tradition had a very captivating and put the listeners in a good mood. The performances of the songs were characterized by spontaneous dance numbers and an exceptionally charming on-stage interaction between the musicians, which had a good effect even on a well-regarded and experienced organizer like me,” Kiviberg said.
Another artist who has confirmed his performance will take you on a sonic journey into the heart of Sami culture. Gabba is a band that combines tradition and modernity, inviting listeners to discover the richness and diversity of Sami culture. Their music leads to the Sami cultural heritage, giving pride of place to the unique Sami joiu. Together with musicians from Southern Norway, joie maestro John André Eira brings the legacy of his ancestors and original compositions into the band’s music. In 2023, the band won the Spellemannprisen, considered Norway’s Grammy, for their debut album “Gabba”.
Tarmo Noormaa, festival program manager, saw the band perform in the stands at the Folkelarm festival in Norway in November. “I was fascinated by John André Eira’s great respect for the culture of his ancestors, which was expressed in very convincing songs and sharp intertexts. I was also struck by the sonic language of the accompanying band, which could be described as Sami tundra blues“, described Noormaa.
2023-12-12 08:53:00
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