Collective strives to blend cultures

The Koko Xperience, a West African dance collective that plays next weekend at The Grand in Ellsworth, gets its name from a concept bandleader Kwabena Owusu holds very dear to him.

“The name koko comes from a Ghanaian word for fermented grain porridge,” said Owusu, who immigrated to the U.S. from Ghana in the mid-’80s. “That name symbolizes cultural likeness. Every culture in the world has one form of porridge.”

The breaking down of cultural barriers is what Owusu, a trained jazz musician and traditional drum carver, is all about. In his music, the Augusta resident blends together different styles into one funky, polyrhythmic stew.

“It’s a true mix of things,” he said. “There’s western African music, but there’s also funk and soul and Latin American influences, with a touch of reggae. I am really interested in cultural integration, so we have to acknowledge the equal influence of all cultures.”

Owusu has recruited musicians from Portland to Bangor to join in on the fun – and no single Koko Xperience looks the same.

“It ranges from five to 12 members. We usually have a trombone player, two trumpets, a couple of percussionists, three singers, a drummer, one or two guitar players and a bass player,” Owusu explained. “It’s a process! But the fun really is in the collaboration.”

Owusu has lived in Maine for 15 years, playing and teaching West African music – because while he’s first and foremost an artist, he’s also an educator. Owusu co-founded the Primary Skills Institute in Augusta in 2003 to teach Maine’s youth and adults about the different cultural traditions of the world, while using art as a way to break the barriers of cultural bias, as explained on its Web site, www.pskills.org.

“There’s a dilemma living in the 21st century. We need to demonstrate that we are able to get along with and understand different cultures,” said Owusu. “But we also need to hold onto our traditional ways, so we don’t completely lose our own unique cultures. It’s a fine line between the two. We want to help people branch out and do different things, as well as preserve their own cultures.”

Owusu and Primary Skills co-founder Dalziel Lewis visit schools and community centers around the state, bringing with them a variety of local musicians, artists, poets, artisans and dancers for workshops. The Koko Xperience is an offshoot of the organization, though Owusu has played in a number of bands and ensembles over the years.

“I’ve been all over the world, playing music and learning. I’m a drummer, and a drum carver, so I moved to Maine for the trees,” he added. “There sure are a lot of trees here.”

The Koko Xperience will play at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at The Grand in Ellsworth, with special guests Ousman and Kevin. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at www.grandonline.org. Emily Burnham can be contacted at eburnham@bangordailynews.net.