Safarini In Transit
Jack Straw Cultural Center and Rakumi Arts International developed and produced the Safarini project to promote the work of African immigrant artists.
Two of Obo Addy’s songs are included on Safarini – Amedzro and Oshi
Jack Straw Cultural Center and Rakumi Arts International developed and produced the Safarini project between 1995-1998 to promote the work of African immigrant artists. The Safarini compact disc was released by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings in 2000.
This project features five artists – Wawali Bonane, Frank Ulwenya, Lora Chiorah-Dye, Kofi Anang and Obo Addy. As a result of their participation in this project, the artists have appeared at public events in various cities as well as in schools throughout the area.
The disc serves as an introduction to a variety of African musical styles, including the mbira music of Ghana, soukous music of the Congo, marimba music of Zimbabwe, and guitar music of Kenya. The 67-minute album features the instrumentation and performance styles of Afropop, dynamic polyrhythmic drums and experimentation with new international musical styles. The CD includes photos and a 28-page booklet including essays by Diana N’Diaye, on African immigrants in the United States, and Jon Kertzer, on African musicians in the Pacific Northwest.”
Artscape: Wawali Bonane
Safarini was made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, King County Arts Commission, Seattle Arts Commission and the Washington State Arts Commission.
Purchase the Album from Smithsonian Folkways Recording
More Art & Heritage Partnerships
Salmon in the City READ MORE >
TeenTix READ MORE >
Opening Doors READ MORE >
Sonolocations: A Sound Works Series READ MORE >
20 Years of Jack Straw Writers READ MORE >
Asian Festivals of Washington State READ MORE >
Lake Union Oral History Project READ MORE >
Descriptive Tours at the Olympic Sculpture Park READ MORE >
Common Field READ MORE >
Jack Straw, Northwest Folklife, and Somali Youth and Family Club: Until We Meet Again READ MORE >
Lelavision READ MORE >
Women and Whales First: Poetry in a Climate of Change READ MORE >
Traditional Artist Support Program READ MORE >
Native American Stories of Washington READ MORE >
Coast Salish Culture Projects by Gregory Fields READ MORE >
Spirit of the First People READ MORE >
Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Centennial Radio Project READ MORE >
Extraordinary Ordinary People: American Masters of Traditional Arts READ MORE >
Gritos Del Alma READ MORE >
1962 Seattle World's Fair READ MORE >
