K.O.G. Kweku of Ghana

One of the things that we are extremely proud of here at Ribble Valley Jazz & Blues is the eclectic nature of our events programme.

Well this year is no different as we are extremely proud to welcome one of the UK's brightest emerging stars in the shape of Ghanaian born 'K.O.G' to the festival. K.O.G. and his band have been on the rise for several years now with their Afro/funk/grooves and high energy live shows that have seen them become one of the must see bands in the UK today!

Kweku Sackey aka K.O.G. (Kweku of Ghana) is a multi-dimensional creative force, combining exquisite writing skills with shamanistic live performance, fierce raps, perfectly on pitch singing across a massive vocal range and some absolutely wicked dance moves. Not to mention his skills as a percussionist, arranger, bandleader and art director. A true poet and storyteller, he uses a mix of English, Pidgin and Ga to paint sonic pictures that reach deep into the souls of everyone ready to listen.

"I love to make music that CONNECTS, REVIVES, EDUCATES and ENTERTAINS, drawing on the spiritual, physical, emotional and mental well being of us as individuals and our quest to maintain balance with the universe."

Born in Accra, Ghana, to a nurse mother and marine engineer father who had studied in England, he grew up with a diverse range of international influences alongside Ghanaian styles: Tom Waits, Quincy Jones, Bob Marley, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Ebo Taylor, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, George Clinton, Pavarotti, Warsaw Village Band.

Resident for over 10 years in Sheffield, UK, music has taken him to perform in 15 countries at huge stages all over the world, from Glastonbury's legendary West Holts stage to Fusion (Germany), Sauti Za Busara (Zanzibar), Kabardock (Reunion) and the Commonwealth Games (Gold Cost, Australia), winning the 2018 Young Commonwealth Performer and performing for Nelson Mandela's family.

This event is brought to you in association with the Cloudspotting Festival.


Line-Up:

Kweku Sackey - Vocals + Percussion, Ben Haskins – Guitar, Theo Goss – Drums, Jasper Green – Keys, Harry Fowler – Sax, Owen Burns - Bass.


Reviews:

"I view MUSIC as a major WEAPON in the BATTLEFIELD for PEACE of MIND in the world" – K.O.G.

"Ghana's finest" – Jools Holland, Later with Jools Holland, BBC2, March 2021