Afla Sackey

Ghanaian-born percussionist, vocalist and composer started his creative life as a dancer and a musician with the Salamta dance ensemble and Bukom Ensemble of Ghana, known for their folk-driven rhythms. Sackey’s elders soon recognised the musical potential of this youth and encouraged him with careful guidance and training. This provided the foundations upon which Sackey has developed his career in music and dance. Henceforth Afla came to London with Kakatsitsi Master Drummers of Ghana and has since thoroughly involved himself in the UK music scene. He graduated from the Guildhall Leadership Masters degree program in 2012. With his wealth of music and dance experience, Afla is an inspiring educator, providing workshops and training to a diverse range of students from primary school children to elderly. Afla has been Afrobeat teacher at the Royal Academy of Music, and continues as guest lecturer and workshop facilitator in universities as far flung as Japan, Singapore and Argentina. In 2007 Afla Sackey formed his Afro-Funk Orchestra Afrik Bawantu, presently performing with musicians from various parts of Africa and Europe as well as students from Royal Academy of music, Guildhall school of music and drama and SOAS University. His orchestra has played in various festivals and theatres in the UK and abroad. Afla’s talent has been recognised by many well-established musicians whom he has collaborated with and played as a session musician. Great artists such as Sun Ra, Ginger Baker, Shaun Kuti, Sons of Kemet, Tony Allen, Yaaba Funk, Dele Sosimi & the Afrobeat Orchestra and many more.