Buzz
Ghana’s Shadrack “Shaddy” Oppong at 20th Panama Jazz Festival!
As part of only four drummers accepted into Berklee College of Music’s exclusive Masters program known as the “Berklee Global Jazz Institute” for the 2022-2023 academic year, Ghana’s Shadrack “Shaddy” Oppong has been scaling heights ever since!
In a latest update on his experiences gathered so far, the Ghanaian power-drumming enigma has found himself thrilling thousands at the world renowned Panama Jazz Festival which took place from the 16th to 21st of January 2023 at the Ciudad del Saber as its educational venue & Wyndham Panama Albrook Mall Hotel & Convention Center.
Founded in September 2003 by pianist and Grammy winner Danilo Pérez, Panama Jazz Festival which has spanned a period of 20 years witnessed the mastery of big names in the game perform to an audience of over 60,000 music lovers.
Shaddy, who participated as the official drummer for Berklee Global Jazz Ambassadors, shared stages with mega names in the world of jazz music including Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes; singer Catherine Russell (daughter of Panamanian native pioneer of jazz Luis Russell); Children of the Light featuring bassist John Patitucci, drummer Brian Blade and pianist Danilo Perez; Latin pop star singer-songwriter (of the global sensational song “Despacito”) Erika Ender, master drummer from Cuba Roman Diaz; and the all-star ensemble Global Jazz Womxn featuring Israeli sax player Lihi Haruvi.
Other artists that performed on the night were Proyecto Acustico from El Salvador and distinguished national projects such as the Luis Russell Collective, Hijas del Jazz Big Band, Anthony Morris Kuna Jazz Quintet, Panamanian folk star Celsito Quintero, Idania Dowman, and many more.
(picture with the “Children of the Light” – from the left (Brian Blade – drummer, Shaddy, Danilo Perez – pianist and John Patitucci – bass)
In addition, through the program Arts Envoy, the Embassy of the United States in Panama hosted distinguished global jazz musicians Farayi Malek, Nadia Washington and Chase Morrin.
It was a week of enriching concerts highlighting the great gala night held at the Anayansi Theater in Atlapa Convention Center on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. The same theater presented great live jazz performances on Thursday, January 19, and Friday, January 20. Ateneo Theater, located in the City of Knowledge, also presented night concerts on Monday and Tuesday of the week of the festival; and Wyndham Hotel presented intimate performances every afternoon.
The Panama Jazz Festival’s signature educational events happened at the City of Knowledge and hosted distinguished institutions such as Berklee College of Music and the Berklee Global Jazz Institute of which Shaddy put up a sterling performance while sharing knowledge & experiences gathered in his years of drumming, with students and patrons.
It also hosted the New England Conservatory, and New York Jazz Academy, among others. The Festival celebrated the 11th Latin American Music Therapy Symposium bringing together music therapists from Panama, Chile, the United States, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, among other countries.
Other important symposiums that took place during the festival included the 2nd Symposium of Natives Peoples, the 7th Symposium of the Culture and Music of Afro-Panamanians, and the first Symposium of Panama and the Caribbean in Jazz History.
This is only a testament to the unparalleled laurels awaiting the young chap who took a step of faith to walk on water all the way from Obuasi to Boston with nothing but a dream, a persevering spirit and an incredible talent!
Get interactive with Shadrack “Shaddy” Oppong across his social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram and Subscribe to his YouTube channel also to be updated on his new drum video uploads.
Buzz
Highlights from Medikal’s spectacular show at London’s O2 Indigo
Ghanaian rapper Medikal made an impressive debut at London’s O2 Indigo with a sold-out show, featuring performances from a lineup of industry heavyweights like Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, Efya, Bisa Kdei, Jay Bhad, and more. (more…)
Buzz
Jah Lead releases new song ‘Shame on You’
Buzz
Oheneyere Mercy Aseidu, Gifty Anti, Stacy Amoateng, and other celebrities grace Akwaboah Jnr’s Traditional Wedding
The traditional wedding of Renowned Ghanaian Highlife singer-songwriter Akwaboah Jnr and his wife, Theresa was a star-studded affair, with a constellation of Ghanaian celebrities gracing the occasion to celebrate the union of love and culture. (more…)
Buzz
Medikal’s Indigo O2 show officially sold out
Ghanaian rapper Medikal’s debut Indigo O2 show in London has officially sold out, confirmed by the venue. (more…)
Buzz
Watch: Exclusive videos and photos From Akwaboah Jnr’s Colourful Traditional Wedding
Award-winning Ghanaian singer-songwriter, Gladstorm Akwaboah Jnr is celebrating a significant milestone in his life as he ties the knot in a beautiful traditional wedding ceremony. (more…)
Buzz
Kwadwo Sheldon expresses disappointment in the NPP Gov’t; says engaging in politics never helped him
Well-known Ghanaian Youtuber and content creator, Bernard Kwadwo Amoafo, professionally known as Kwadwo Sheldon has voiced his deep disappointment in the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) asserting that engaging in politics has never benefited him personally. (more…)
- Buzz1 week ago
Some Wealthy Ghanaians Lack Philanthropic Spirit – Michael Blackson asserts
- Buzz2 days ago
Ghanaian blogger Sika Official stabbed at a pub
- Buzz1 week ago
Dress decently to the gym; some men want to make it to heaven – Williams Uchemba tells ladies
- People & Lifestyle4 days ago
Techiman-to-Accra: Seidu Rafiwu’s Record-Breaking 380km Walkathon
- Buzz1 week ago
Funeral arrangements announced for late Nollywood actor Junior Pope
- World News4 days ago
Former US Army Servicemember, Sanda G. Frimpong Sentenced to Prison in Money Laundering Romance Scam
- Buzz5 days ago
Taking the HIV test in public was my suicidal note to the world; I couldn’t take it anymore. – Joyce Dzidzor Mensah
- Buzz1 week ago
Ghana’s rap scene declining; most hardcore rappers now turned singers – YPee
- World News1 week ago
Iraqi TikTok star Om Fahad shot dead outside Baghdad home
- Buzz1 week ago
Jeremone Otchere shares story of how he met his wife to mark their 10th anniversary
- World News4 days ago
US Army Major Kojo Owusu Dartey Found Guilty After He Smuggled Guns to Ghana in Blue Barrels of Rice and Home Goods
- Buzz3 days ago
Don’t marry someone you’ve not dated for more than 7 years – Tic