Kwesi Kankam
Warrington, Pennsylvania, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
"But what you'll remember most is that voice — soulful and light, powerful and tender." - The Morning Call
"Kankam's voice is memorable for its warmth and carefree soulfulness" - http://www.starnewsonline.com/
There were standout performances: The Bethlehem duo of singer/songwriter/guitarist Kwesi Kankam, who last month won the Lehigh Valley Acoustic Performers contest, and harmonica player Ansel Barnum, who was a contender not only in that contest but at the Lehigh Valley Music acoustic performer contest at Listen Live Music, combined for a nice set of Dave Matthews/John Mayer-inspired songs. - The Morning Call
Kwesi Kankam, singing a Dave Matthews/John Mayer-inspired set, beat out three other finalists who like him had won weekly preliminary contests at Mezza Luna Sports Bar and Grill in Allentown. Kankam won the third week of preliminaries.
Playing alone on an acoustic guitar, standing at a microphone to sing, Kankam did a nine-song set. Both his guitar playing and singing were exceptional, and he won the nod of a four-judge panel before more an audience of than 50 people.
- The Morning Call
Discography
Ran Away From Me EP
Whiskey Wit (Single)
Photos
Bio
We live in a metaphorical world filled to the brim with poetic lyrics and abstract compositions offering little explanation and ample interpretation. So we peek into the window of talent in hopes of getting a clearer glimpse of the inspirational artisan that lives on the other side and very rarely discover that raw honesty, exactly how it should be, exactly how it was meant to be. Kwesi Kankam is one of these rare artisans. His honesty is entwined in the sincerity of his lyrics and embedded within the captivating composition of his photography.
Born within the glow of the Northern Lights of Anchorage, Alaska, Kwesi has seen much in his young life and time. From a West-African father of Ghanaian descent and a mother from Ft. Wayne Indiana, his music is a tapestry of relaxed grooves and melodic hooks that stay true to his world view and artistic nature. Raised in Ohio, Kwesi soaked up sounds from his older brothers cd collection folk, soul, rap, alternative and rock, setting the stage for his musical journey. Lucky to have a sibling employed at a record shop, he would regularly borrow his brothers discs. Absorbing all styles from Dave Matthews to Alanis Morissette, Boyz II Men and Bone Thugs, to traditional Ghanaian gospel reggae and his fathers 70s and 80s soul collection created a blend of his very own that would later be a key component in the sound of his music.
Searching for his path, and with a talent for athletics, his road East and out of Ohio was paved by a football scholarship to Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Within the first year and a half however, his artistic nature took hold, as Kwesi put sports in the rearview, committing his energy and vision to photography, as well as writing and performing songs with friends at local coffee houses. This creative shift, aided by his gypsy spirit, propelled him to Europe where he fell in with the bohemian life. As he explains, I wanted to get out of town for a while so I studied abroad in Barcelona. I had been playing guitar more frequently, so I decided to bring it along with my camera. I fell in love with the Spanish-European culture. I learned the language, avoided all Americans, and documented the whole trip. When I eventually ran out of money, I started busking with my guitar. One day I found myself writing on the side of a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean, when I realized I wanted to, and could possibly become a songwriter.
Band Members
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