BBC - Radio 3 - Womad2005

ATONGO ZIMBA (GHANA)

Read an interview with Atongo

See pictures from his WOMAD performance

Atongo Zimba plays the koloko, a kind of West African banjo. Back home in Ghana, Zimba he's extraordinarily popular, drawing capacity crowds. But apparently this local success has not been enough to keep the proverbial wolf from the door and three years ago Zimba moved to the UK.

Initially he made a living busking in the streets of London, especially around the Covent Garden area, but now he is becoming a little more established as a musician as his musicianship is reaping ever-growing recognition. The life of a migrant musician is by no means easy. "Home for me is everywhere," says Zimba. "...well, wherever my father and my family is."

But with his voice that "cleaves through the air like a sparrow," according to one Ghanaian journalist, and a generous serving of luck, Atongo Zimba has as good a chance as anyone of making it in the big bad smoke. Let's hope so and give him a big hand on his way there.

Andy Morgan

More info
Fan website
Review and music clip here

See him on Sunday 8.30-9.15pm, World On Your Street Tent

Read other people's comments then

Tell us what you think:

Yidana, Ghana
Atongo Zimba is an infectious personallity. So is his music and Koloko. What he is able to do with his two string Kolko is indescribable. I have always loved his music. I recently had an opportunity to do an interview with him in his native Bolgatanga and i can tell you that the man is DEEP. His Savanna Breeze Album means so much to me now.

Ola Newjersey
What a fantastic musician with great deep voice, i was in Vondal park in Amsterdam on one warm Sunday when is performing with is band. I can stop dancing with is killer melodies. As Fela kuti fan Atondo brought the spirit of Fela that day in Amsterdam. Stay bless Atondo and all the best

Jaïr, Amsterdam
Last friday Atongo Zimba performed with his group in Amsterdam - he blew me (and the audience) away, fantastic! Check out the amazing sounds coming from his Molo lute! ps: Dear reader, if you are a Womexian, check out his showcase in Newcastle, thursday 27th october, Hall One, 23.00 hrs. Really fantastic, live, as well as the cd Savannah Breeze, out on Hippo Records.

tracey milton keynes
an exceptional artist

Paul H, London
Zimba rocked... Simple as... Hardly has any man achieved such a vast range of melodies from such a seemingly simple instrument... All songs were executed with infectious joy... Superb

Gary, London
Zimba was hugely entertaining and great performer. I am so glad I was able to see him at Womad. In fact the World on your Street stage was a godsend because of this and other artists including Nana Tsiboe whose performances where often much more enjoyable than any of those on the large/main stages. Just a couple of things tho, the stage needed to be higher so as those at the back were able to see the performers and it would have been much better if the whole stage were in a large marquee so as the outside distractions and noise were not as distracting/annoying for us who were there to listen and soak up the incredible music. I hope you will be there next year with the above and even more artists.

Connel, Amsterdam
I realy had a great time at Atongo's preformance at the Womad 2005 !!! Wow what a great voice and the band was hot.