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Updated 2/25/2023

Kotoko Brass

  • M

    MA

Institution/Business Type: Performing Group

Inspired by the traditional drum rhythms of Ghana, Kotoko Brass has created a unique, joyful, and improvisational style of West African dance music described by the Boston Globe as “propulsive, infectious party music”. The drums provide the heart and soul of Kotoko Brass — merging syncopated African percussion polyrhythms with hard-hitting dance grooves on the drumset. The horns blend traditional sounds of New Orleans with the famous West African brass band sound heard from Ghana to Nigeria, and the guitar, bass, and keys evoke classic African and Caribbean styles of highlife, afrobeat, and reggae. A celebratory and energetic synthesis of music, people, and cultures from around the world, Kotoko Brass features musicians from Ghana, Antigua, Japan, and the United States playing together in unity. Kotoko Brass has shared the stage with Angelique Kidjo, Red Baraat, Femi Kuti, the California Honeydrops, Vieux Farka Toure, Innov Gnawa, Take 6, the Boston Pops, Rubblebucket, and more.

Find Me

Ben Paulding (he/him/his)
Job Title: Manager / Drummer
Address:
146 Madison Street
Malden, MA 02148

About

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Performing Group

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

2017

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Performing Group

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

2017

Disciplines

Primary Discipline:

Music - Ethnic / World

Additional Disciplines:

  • Music - Traditional

Activities and Services

Activities and Services:

  • Workshops / Demonstrations / Master Class
  • Performance / Concert / Reading
Seasons Active: spring, summer, fall, winter
Events Per Year: 25

Communities

Populations Engaged:

  • Adults
  • Businesses
  • Families
  • General Public
  • Immigrant Populations
  • School Groups

Geographic Reach:

  • Multi-State Region
  • National
  • International

Media Gallery

I Have Worked With

Affiliations and Accomplishments

Awards

Awards:

  • N/A

Awards

Awards:

  • N/A

Education

Education:

  • Music Educator and Teaching Artist (META) fellowship

Artist Info

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Afterschool Program
  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • High School-age
  • College-age
  • Adults

Subject Areas:

  • Dance
  • Music

Certifications and Training:

  • Music Educators and Teaching Artist (META) Fellow
  • Massachusetts Licensed Music Teacher

Fee range:

$1,500 - $8,000

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Afterschool Program
  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • High School-age
  • College-age
  • Adults

Subject Areas:

  • Dance
  • Music

Certifications and Training:

  • Music Educators and Teaching Artist (META) Fellow
  • Massachusetts Licensed Music Teacher

Fee range:

$1,500 - $8,000

Touring Artist

NEST Eligible Artist

Technical Requirements:

  • Sound System (stage plot in photo section)

Fee Range:

$1,500 - $8,000

State of Residence:

Massachusetts

Minimum Number of Performers:

8

Maximum Number of Performers:

11