biography

Kwame Wood, up and coming West African reggae artist, came of age immersed in music in his native Ghana. He began singing at age nine, discovered by some young men in the neighborhood who upon hearing his voice, recruited him to join their group. At the tender age of 13 he was playing original music in his own band. One day they had entered a local student music contest. The group's drummer was a no show, so Kwame picked up the drumsticks and began his journey as a drummer / singer. They won the contest that day. Kwame went on to become, in addition to an amazing vocalist, and accomplished and powerful drummer.

After secondary school he played with several of his own bands touring Ghana and other West African nations. Simultaneously he played with several internationally known musicians including Mark Tontoh, from Osibisa; Liberian songstress Miatta Fahnbulleh; Highlife fusion pioneer George Darko; and jazz artist Stanley Turpentine.

In 1990 he joined up with CK Mann, the Highlife King of Ghana and came to North America on tour. They played throughout Canada and the east coast for a few years. Kwame eventually settled in the Big Apple, playing with Nkossi, a local world beat group. In 1993 he moved to Washington D.C. and joined Culture Shock. Ambitious and extremely talented, he soon became the leader, and helped make Bukom Cafe, where Culture Shock was the house band, a local hot spot. In 1997 Kwame relocted to Minneapolis and formed the Ananse Band. They have been delighting local audiences with their special brand of African style reggae since.