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J. H. Kwabena Nketia

February 15, 2024

Joseph Hanson Kwabena Nketia FGA GM MSG (22 June 1921 – 13 March 2019) was a Ghanaian ethnomusicologist and composer. Considered Africa's premier musicologist, during his lifetime, he was called a "living legend" and "easily the most published and best known authority on African music and aesthetics in the world",[1] with more than 200 publications and 80 musical compositions to his credit.[2]

J. H. Kwabena Nketia

FGA GM MSG
Born
Joseph Hanson Kwabena Nketia

(1921-06-22)22 June 1921
Mampong, Gold Coast
Died13 March 2019(2019-03-13) (aged 97)
Accra, Ghana
Academic background
EducationPresbyterian Training College, Akropong
Alma mater
Academic work
DisciplineAfrican music
Institutions
Notable worksMusic of Africa (1974)

Early life and education edit

Born in 1921 in Mampong, Gold Coast (modern Ghana), J. H. Kwabena Nketia was his parents' only child.[3] He first trained as a teacher at the Presbyterian Training College, Akropong.[4]

On a government scholarship, he went to Britain at the age of 23 to attend the University of London from 1944 to 1949, beginning with two years of study in linguistics at the School of Oriental and African Studies.[5] In 1949, he began three years' study at Birkbeck College, University of London, and Trinity College of Music, London, obtaining a B.A. degree. In 1958 a Rockefeller Fellowship enabled him to go to the United States, where he attended Columbia University (studying with Henry Cowell), the Juilliard School, and Northwestern University, studying musicology and composition.[5]

Career edit

Nketia was a professor of music at UCLA and the University of Pittsburgh, and lectured in many prestigious universities worldwide, including Harvard University, Stanford University, University of Michigan, City University London, the University of Brisbane in Australia, the University of Kansas, Lawrence, and the China Conservatory of Music, Beijing.[6] He was a professor of music at the University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, where he began teaching in 1952. He directed the International Centre for African Music and Dance (ICAMD). He taught at the Presbyterian Training College, Akropong, serving as the Acting Principal in 1952.[4]

According to GhanaWeb: "His concept and interpretation of time and rhythmic patterns in Ghanaian and other African folk music were revolutionary, and became standard for researchers and scholars around the world." He introduced, for example, the use of the more readable 6
8 time signature in his compositions as an alternative to the use of duple (2
4) time with triplets that was used earlier by his mentor and teacher, Ephraim Amu. Although this practice undermined Amu's theory of a constant basic pulse in African music, and generated debate, Nketia pointed out that the constant use of triplets in a duple time signature was misleading. Many scholars nowadays have found his theory useful in transcribing African music.[5]

He composed for both Western and African instruments, and wrote more than 200 publications, including his world-acclaimed The Music of Africa, which was translated into German, Italian, Chinese, and Japanese.[4]

Personal life edit

J. H. Kwabena Nketia's death, after a short illness, was confirmed on 13 March 2019 at Legon Hospital in Accra.[4][7] The National Theatre of Ghana honoured him with a tribute performance of music, dance and drama on the eve of his burial, 3 May 2019.[8] He was accorded a state funeral at the Forecourt of the State House on 6 May 2019 and buried at the new Military Cemetery at Burma Camp.[9]

Awards and honours edit

Nketia was honoured with many awards in Ghana, including the Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana, the Grand Medal of the Government of Ghana (Civil Division), a DLitt (Honoris Causa) of the University of Ghana, the Ghana Book Award, ECRAG Special Honour Award (1987), Ghana Gospel Music Special Award (2003), and the ACRAG Flagstar Award (1993). He was a Member of Honour of the International Music Council.[10]

Other international awards he received include the Cowell Award of the African Music Society; the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award, for The Music of Africa (1975); the IMC-UNESCO Prize for Distinguished Service to Music; the 1997 Prince Claus Award; and the Distinguished Africanist Award of the African Studies Association of the USA (2000).

In 2009, the Nketia Music Foundation was formed "to promote the conservation and development of Ghana’s Creative Legacy in contemporary contexts, and the use of the works of Emeritus Prof. J. H. Kwabena Nketia and other composers for the development and growth of music and culture".[11]

On 27 February 2012, Goucher College presented "Tradition, Creation, and Life: A Celebration of Professor Joseph Hanson Kwabena Nketia and the Music of Ghana".[12]

In June 2015, in commemoration of his 94th birthday, the Governing Council of the African University College of Communications (AUCC) held the official launch of the Kwabena Nketia Centre for Africana Studies.[13]

Following his 96th birthday, a festival was held in celebration of his life and achievements at the Kwabena Nketia Centre for Africana Studies at the African University College of Communications, Adabraka-Accra, under the patronage of Ghana's President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,[14] who paid tribute to Nketia as "one of the legends of the ages".[15] Also in attendance were former President Jerry Rawlings with his wife Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, and representatives from former President John Dramani Mahama and former President John Agyekum Kufuor. The Asantehene Osei Tutu II, in a speech read on his behalf at the festival on 27 September 2017, said: "Emeritus Prof. Nketia’s life symbolises the evolution of our nation in the 20th century. There are many parallels in his life's story, which mirrors the national endeavours in the country. A bridge between our indigenous culture and modern culture, non-literate and literate traditions, old and young artists, Ghana and Africa in the dissemination."[16] The event was also to raise funds in order to collate, digitize Professor Nketia's "thousands of archival files and field notes on Ghanaian culture, history, language, arts, material culture".[17]

Selected publications edit

Books edit

  • 1963 - African Music in Ghana. Northwestern University Press
  • 1974 - The Music of Africa. W. W. Norton. ISBN 0-393-02177-7. ISBN 978-0-393-02177-6.
  • 1978 - Amoma (in Twi), Ghana Publishing Corporation, 49pp.
  • 2004 - African Art Music/The Creative Potential of African Art Music in Ghana. Companion booklet to ICAMD CD recordings (ICAMD - DMVI - ICAMD - DMV4). Accra: Afram Publications (Ghana) Ltd.
  • 2005 - Ethnomusicology and African Music – Collected papers, Volume One: Modes of Inquiry and Interpretation. Accra: Afram publications. ISBN 9964-70-400-3.
  • 2016 - Reinstating traditional music in contemporary contexts : reminiscences of a nonagenarian's lifelong encounters with the musical traditions of Africa. Akropong-Akuapem, Ghana: Regnum Africa Publications.

Selected compositions edit

Nketia's musical compositions include:[4]

  • Adanse Kronkron
  • Morbid Asem
  • Monna N’Ase
  • Monkafo No.
  • Yaanom Montie
  • Onipa Dasani Nni Aye
  • Onipa Beyee Bi
  • Yiadom Heneba
  • Mekae Na Woantie
  • Maforo Pata Hunu
  • Obarima Nifahene
  • Asuo Meresen
  • Builsa Work Song (1960)
  • Dagarti Work Song (1961)
  • At the Cross Roads (1961)
  • Owora (1961)
  • Volta Fantasy (1961)
  • Contemplation (1961)

References edit

  1. ^ Nanabanyin Dadson (Daily Graphic), "J. H. Kwabena Nketia - Portrait Of A Young Man At 90" 19 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Modern Ghana, 23 June 2011.
  2. ^ Timothy Ngnenbe, "Professor Kwabena Nketia celebrated" 17 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Graphic Online, 28 June 2016.
  3. ^ Akrofi, Eric A. (2003). Sharing Knowledge and Experience: A Profile of Kwabena Nketia. Accra: Afram Publications, p. 1.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Ghanaian composer Prof. Kwabena Nketia is dead". www.ghanaweb.com. 13 March 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  5. ^ a b c "Prof. J.H. Kwabena Nketia Profile" 11 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine, GhanaWeb.
  6. ^ K. Gyan-Apenteng, "Nketia and Nrican Nketsia at PAWA Pan-African Lecture on Wednesday" 12 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, 25 February 2013.
  7. ^ "Ghana's Legend Prof JH Nketia Dies At 97", Peace FM, 13 March 2019.
  8. ^ "National Theatre honours Prof. Nketia with cultural performances". www.graphic.com.gh. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  9. ^ "Hundreds gather to bid final farewell to Prof J.H. Nketia". www.ghanaweb.com. 4 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  10. ^ Administrator. "Members of Honour - International Music Council". www.imc-cim.org. from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  11. ^ Nketia Music Foundation. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  12. ^ Goucher College website 26 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  13. ^ Charles Andoh, "Centre named after Emeritus Professor Kwabena Nketia", Graphic Online, 25 June 2015.
  14. ^ "AUCC celebrates Emeritus Prof. J. H. Kwabena Nketia on his 96th birthday" 7 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine, GhanaWeb, 22 September 2017.
  15. ^ "Akufo-Addo celebrates 'Legend of the ages' Emeritus Nketia" 25 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Myjoyonline, 28 September 2017.
  16. ^ "Emeritus Professor Kwabena Nketia is a national treasure - Asantehene" 7 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine, GhanaWeb, 28 September 2017.
  17. ^ "Ghana to celebrate Emeritus Prof Kwabena Nketia" 16 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Ghana News Agency, 30 August 2017.

Further reading edit

  • Akrofi, Eric A. (2003). Sharing Knowledge and Experience: A Profile of Kwabena Nketia, Scholar and Music Educator. Accra: Afram Publications. ISBN 978-9964-70-342-4.
  • Ampene, Kwasi (28 July 2021). "J.H. Kwabena Nketia". Oxford Bibliographies: Music. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/OBO/9780199757824-0294. ISBN 978-0-19-975782-4. (subscription required)
  • DjeDje, Jacqueline Cogdell; Carter, William Grandvil (1989–1992). African Musicology: Current Trends: a Festschrift Presented to J.H. Kwabena Nketia. Vol. 1. Los Angeles: University of California, Los Angeles. ISBN 978-0-918456-62-5.
  • DjeDje, Jacqueline Cogdell (2020) [2001]. "Nketia, J(oseph) H(anson) Kwabena". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.48720. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  • Kligman, Mark. "In Memoriam: Joseph Hanson Kwabena Nketia". UC Academic Senate. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  • Russonello, Giovanni (19 March 2019). "J.H. Kwabena Nketia, 97, Pre-eminent Scholar of African Music, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  • Wiggins, Trevor; Nketia, J. H. Kwabena (June 2005). "An Interview with J. H. Kwabena Knetia: Perspectives on Tradition and Modernity". Ethnomusicology Forum. Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 14 (1): 57–81. doi:10.1080/17411910500089138. JSTOR 20184501. S2CID 162189436.
  • "In memoriam: J.H. Kwabena Nketia, 97, UCLA leader in African musical traditions". UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. 2 May 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  • "Obituary Prof. J. H. Kwabena Knetia". Ghanaian Times. 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2019.

External links edit

  • Nketia Music foundation website.
  • J. H. Kwabena Nketia biography at GhanaWeb
  • PRI story featuring J. H. Kwabena Nketia

February 15, 2024
kwabena, nketia, joseph, hanson, kwabena, nketia, june, 1921, march, 2019, ghanaian, ethnomusicologist, composer, considered, africa, premier, musicologist, during, lifetime, called, living, legend, easily, most, published, best, known, authority, african, mus. Joseph Hanson Kwabena Nketia FGA GM MSG 22 June 1921 13 March 2019 was a Ghanaian ethnomusicologist and composer Considered Africa s premier musicologist during his lifetime he was called a living legend and easily the most published and best known authority on African music and aesthetics in the world 1 with more than 200 publications and 80 musical compositions to his credit 2 J H Kwabena NketiaFGA GM MSGBornJoseph Hanson Kwabena Nketia 1921 06 22 22 June 1921Mampong Gold CoastDied13 March 2019 2019 03 13 aged 97 Accra GhanaAcademic backgroundEducationPresbyterian Training College AkropongAlma materSOAS University of London Trinity College of Music Birkbeck University of LondonAcademic workDisciplineAfrican musicInstitutionsUniversity of Ghana UCLA University of PittsburghNotable worksMusic of Africa 1974 Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 Awards and honours 5 Selected publications 5 1 Books 6 Selected compositions 7 References 8 Further reading 9 External linksEarly life and education editBorn in 1921 in Mampong Gold Coast modern Ghana J H Kwabena Nketia was his parents only child 3 He first trained as a teacher at the Presbyterian Training College Akropong 4 On a government scholarship he went to Britain at the age of 23 to attend the University of London from 1944 to 1949 beginning with two years of study in linguistics at the School of Oriental and African Studies 5 In 1949 he began three years study at Birkbeck College University of London and Trinity College of Music London obtaining a B A degree In 1958 a Rockefeller Fellowship enabled him to go to the United States where he attended Columbia University studying with Henry Cowell the Juilliard School and Northwestern University studying musicology and composition 5 Career editNketia was a professor of music at UCLA and the University of Pittsburgh and lectured in many prestigious universities worldwide including Harvard University Stanford University University of Michigan City University London the University of Brisbane in Australia the University of Kansas Lawrence and the China Conservatory of Music Beijing 6 He was a professor of music at the University of Ghana Legon Accra where he began teaching in 1952 He directed the International Centre for African Music and Dance ICAMD He taught at the Presbyterian Training College Akropong serving as the Acting Principal in 1952 4 According to GhanaWeb His concept and interpretation of time and rhythmic patterns in Ghanaian and other African folk music were revolutionary and became standard for researchers and scholars around the world He introduced for example the use of the more readable 68 time signature in his compositions as an alternative to the use of duple 24 time with triplets that was used earlier by his mentor and teacher Ephraim Amu Although this practice undermined Amu s theory of a constant basic pulse in African music and generated debate Nketia pointed out that the constant use of triplets in a duple time signature was misleading Many scholars nowadays have found his theory useful in transcribing African music 5 He composed for both Western and African instruments and wrote more than 200 publications including his world acclaimed The Music of Africa which was translated into German Italian Chinese and Japanese 4 Personal life editJ H Kwabena Nketia s death after a short illness was confirmed on 13 March 2019 at Legon Hospital in Accra 4 7 The National Theatre of Ghana honoured him with a tribute performance of music dance and drama on the eve of his burial 3 May 2019 8 He was accorded a state funeral at the Forecourt of the State House on 6 May 2019 and buried at the new Military Cemetery at Burma Camp 9 Awards and honours editNketia was honoured with many awards in Ghana including the Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana the Grand Medal of the Government of Ghana Civil Division a DLitt Honoris Causa of the University of Ghana the Ghana Book Award ECRAG Special Honour Award 1987 Ghana Gospel Music Special Award 2003 and the ACRAG Flagstar Award 1993 He was a Member of Honour of the International Music Council 10 Other international awards he received include the Cowell Award of the African Music Society the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for The Music of Africa 1975 the IMC UNESCO Prize for Distinguished Service to Music the 1997 Prince Claus Award and the Distinguished Africanist Award of the African Studies Association of the USA 2000 In 2009 the Nketia Music Foundation was formed to promote the conservation and development of Ghana s Creative Legacy in contemporary contexts and the use of the works of Emeritus Prof J H Kwabena Nketia and other composers for the development and growth of music and culture 11 On 27 February 2012 Goucher College presented Tradition Creation and Life A Celebration of Professor Joseph Hanson Kwabena Nketia and the Music of Ghana 12 In June 2015 in commemoration of his 94th birthday the Governing Council of the African University College of Communications AUCC held the official launch of the Kwabena Nketia Centre for Africana Studies 13 Following his 96th birthday a festival was held in celebration of his life and achievements at the Kwabena Nketia Centre for Africana Studies at the African University College of Communications Adabraka Accra under the patronage of Ghana s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo 14 who paid tribute to Nketia as one of the legends of the ages 15 Also in attendance were former President Jerry Rawlings with his wife Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and representatives from former President John Dramani Mahama and former President John Agyekum Kufuor The Asantehene Osei Tutu II in a speech read on his behalf at the festival on 27 September 2017 said Emeritus Prof Nketia s life symbolises the evolution of our nation in the 20th century There are many parallels in his life s story which mirrors the national endeavours in the country A bridge between our indigenous culture and modern culture non literate and literate traditions old and young artists Ghana and Africa in the dissemination 16 The event was also to raise funds in order to collate digitize Professor Nketia s thousands of archival files and field notes on Ghanaian culture history language arts material culture 17 Selected publications editBooks edit 1963 African Music in Ghana Northwestern University Press 1974 The Music of Africa W W Norton ISBN 0 393 02177 7 ISBN 978 0 393 02177 6 1978 Amoma in Twi Ghana Publishing Corporation 49pp 2004 African Art Music The Creative Potential of African Art Music in Ghana Companion booklet to ICAMD CD recordings ICAMD DMVI ICAMD DMV4 Accra Afram Publications Ghana Ltd 2005 Ethnomusicology and African Music Collected papers Volume One Modes of Inquiry and Interpretation Accra Afram publications ISBN 9964 70 400 3 2016 Reinstating traditional music in contemporary contexts reminiscences of a nonagenarian s lifelong encounters with the musical traditions of Africa Akropong Akuapem Ghana Regnum Africa Publications Selected compositions editNketia s musical compositions include 4 Adanse Kronkron Morbid Asem Monna N Ase Monkafo No Yaanom Montie Onipa Dasani Nni Aye Onipa Beyee Bi Yiadom Heneba Mekae Na Woantie Maforo Pata Hunu Obarima Nifahene Asuo Meresen Builsa Work Song 1960 Dagarti Work Song 1961 At the Cross Roads 1961 Owora 1961 Volta Fantasy 1961 Contemplation 1961 References edit Nanabanyin Dadson Daily Graphic J H Kwabena Nketia Portrait Of A Young Man At 90 Archived 19 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine Modern Ghana 23 June 2011 Timothy Ngnenbe Professor Kwabena Nketia celebrated Archived 17 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine Graphic Online 28 June 2016 Akrofi Eric A 2003 Sharing Knowledge and Experience A Profile of Kwabena Nketia Accra Afram Publications p 1 a b c d e Ghanaian composer Prof Kwabena Nketia is dead www ghanaweb com 13 March 2019 Retrieved 13 March 2019 a b c Prof J H Kwabena Nketia Profile Archived 11 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine GhanaWeb K Gyan Apenteng Nketia and Nrican Nketsia at PAWA Pan African Lecture on Wednesday Archived 12 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine 25 February 2013 Ghana s Legend Prof JH Nketia Dies At 97 Peace FM 13 March 2019 National Theatre honours Prof Nketia with cultural performances www graphic com gh 7 May 2019 Retrieved 20 June 2019 Hundreds gather to bid final farewell to Prof J H Nketia www ghanaweb com 4 May 2019 Retrieved 4 May 2019 Administrator Members of Honour International Music Council www imc cim org Archived from the original on 6 April 2018 Retrieved 19 April 2018 Nketia Music Foundation Retrieved 1 April 2012 Goucher College website Archived 26 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 1 April 2012 Charles Andoh Centre named after Emeritus Professor Kwabena Nketia Graphic Online 25 June 2015 AUCC celebrates Emeritus Prof J H Kwabena Nketia on his 96th birthday Archived 7 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine GhanaWeb 22 September 2017 Akufo Addo celebrates Legend of the ages Emeritus Nketia Archived 25 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine Myjoyonline 28 September 2017 Emeritus Professor Kwabena Nketia is a national treasure Asantehene Archived 7 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine GhanaWeb 28 September 2017 Ghana to celebrate Emeritus Prof Kwabena Nketia Archived 16 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine Ghana News Agency 30 August 2017 Further reading editAkrofi Eric A 2003 Sharing Knowledge and Experience A Profile of Kwabena Nketia Scholar and Music Educator Accra Afram Publications ISBN 978 9964 70 342 4 Ampene Kwasi 28 July 2021 J H Kwabena Nketia Oxford Bibliographies Music Oxford Oxford University Press doi 10 1093 OBO 9780199757824 0294 ISBN 978 0 19 975782 4 subscription required DjeDje Jacqueline Cogdell Carter William Grandvil 1989 1992 African Musicology Current Trends a Festschrift Presented to J H Kwabena Nketia Vol 1 Los Angeles University of California Los Angeles ISBN 978 0 918456 62 5 DjeDje Jacqueline Cogdell 2020 2001 Nketia J oseph H anson Kwabena Grove Music Online Oxford Oxford University Press doi 10 1093 gmo 9781561592630 article 48720 ISBN 978 1 56159 263 0 subscription or UK public library membership required Kligman Mark In Memoriam Joseph Hanson Kwabena Nketia UC Academic Senate Retrieved 19 November 2019 Russonello Giovanni 19 March 2019 J H Kwabena Nketia 97 Pre eminent Scholar of African Music Dies The New York Times Retrieved 19 November 2019 Wiggins Trevor Nketia J H Kwabena June 2005 An Interview with J H Kwabena Knetia Perspectives on Tradition and Modernity Ethnomusicology Forum Taylor amp Francis Ltd 14 1 57 81 doi 10 1080 17411910500089138 JSTOR 20184501 S2CID 162189436 In memoriam J H Kwabena Nketia 97 UCLA leader in African musical traditions UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music 2 May 2019 Retrieved 19 November 2019 Obituary Prof J H Kwabena Knetia Ghanaian Times 2019 Retrieved 19 November 2019 External links editNketia Music foundation website J H Kwabena Nketia biography at GhanaWeb PRI story featuring J H Kwabena NketiaPortals nbsp Biography nbsp Music Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title J H Kwabena Nketia amp oldid 1156244209, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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