TSOOBOI

CULTURAL  ENSEMBLE 

INTRODUCTION
Tsooboi Ensemble is the art and cultural group of the people in the Western part of Africa originated from Ghana, depicting traditional performances suitable for a modern performance context as well. The name ‘Tsooboi” is an African Ghanaian word which literally means ‘unity in strength’.
The group was established in the year 2011 by a renowned drummer from Ghana by  Alex Mensah.

LEADERSHIP
Alex Mensah is a celebrated drummer with unique skills. He was touted as one of  he greatest time-keepers when it comes to music and drumming. And one of the best time-keepers in the industry as well. ”The founder and leader of the Tsooboi Ensemble (Alex Mensah) hails from Keta in the Volta Region but grew up at Teshie in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Music has been his passion since childhood, and he has kept his focus working on Afro-Jazz lanes since his childhood days. Having the dexterity in the drumming art, he was invited to play for the Labone Cultural Troupe; an amazing group by then. Some prominent and renowned musicians he featured in playing for their recordings are Ghanaian music Hi-Life legends A.B Crenstil, Jewel Ackah, Tony Mensah and Alhaji K. Frimpong all blessed memories. Also, some finest Ghanaian gospel artistes especially the ever smiling DSP Kofi Sarpong on his album gospel “African Borborrbor” which was a hit song in
Ghana. He played for “AHWINE PA NKASA” and later formed the “OMANYE ABA” Band in 1989- 1999. Being recognized by various promoters, he was given the platform to play side by side with international music icons such as the late Lucky Dube, Judy Boucher on their live concert at the Accra Sports Stadium in Ghana and Salif Keita at the Ghana National Theatre. For his classical performances, he featured in tour of West Africa with the international group “APHRODISIA” from San Francisco and California of the U.S.A in 2006. Having the masterpiece, showmanship and experience in the industry, he formed his own group known as “TSOOBOI ENSEMBLE” of which he is the founder and leader. He is been credited with one album titled “SANE EBA’ which has a class to the listening pleasure and the African touch of origination. REALLY a genius! TRUELY TSOOBOI!!
Alex Mensah’s Tsooboi band has brought different flavours to various sounds with additional percussion instruments on Afro-Jazz journey. His experience and splendid performance with the Tsooboi group led to his relocation to the United States of America where he is continually gaining global recognition on international
platforms. The group Tsooboi is currently managed by Isaac Anum who is also genius in the music fraternity.

WHAT WE OFFER
Tsooboi Ensembles is noted for three (3) categories of activities notably;
i) Afro Jazz music; that goes with horns and guitar
ii) Traditional drumming and dancing
iii) Workshop and drum lessons

PERFORMANCES
Our performers are unique in their own style and can confidently perform almost all the music and dance arts in Ghana illustrating the various ethnic groups within all the sixteen regions in the diaspora. In this case, we always give you a quality taste of the varieties of the Ghanaian ethnic groups in one show or a great package. Our performers are not only limited to the Ghanaian culture but with a touch of other various African ethnic group’s music and dance arts also. Due to our experiences in the field of African traditional music and dance arts, we also hold sections for debutants or people interested to study or upgrade their performing arts in these regards. Our experienced lecturers will wholeheartedly and patiently take you through the theoretical and practical processes to be an expert in African performing arts. . The group has featured on many entertainment grounds such as Alliance Francais-Ghana by exhibiting its talents of arts and creativity to perform various music and dance in a form of education and socialization amongst students from all walks of life who come to the institution to study languages.
Also, the performing group has played several remarkable shows for the Regional Maritime University (RMU) of West Africa in Ghana during their Annual Old Students Association programs.
The Ghana National Theatre can also not be left out as one of the group’s strong base for their outstanding performances whenever duty calls on them to bring joy to the audiences in the auditorium.
Erabeis Guest House (Ground opening), Serenity Park event ltd, Charle Worte Street Arts Festival, Malamajo, etc. have also been a haven for Tsooboi ensemble showcasing their great performances to the satisfactions of their audience during scheduled programs.

OUR VISION
To be one of the best entertaining African Traditional group enterprise in performing music and dance arts.

OUR VALUES

• To teach moral lessons through the act of singing, drumming and dancing
• To teach social etiquette and to help people mature and celebrate members of the
  community whiles celebrating festivals and other occasions
• To make the Ghanaian traditional/ethnic songs, drumming and dancing well known
  across the shores of Africa