Lessons in African Music for the Obama Family

Jumbie Records Partner, Bernard Woma, has performed for many dignitaries throughout his exciting career. As the former solo xylophonist and master drummer of the Ghana National Dance Ensemble, he routinely performed for visiting heads of state, including President Bill Clinton during his historic visit to Ghana in 1998.

This past summer when President Barack Obama and his family visited Ghana, Bernard was called upon to do more than perform for the First Family. As one of Ghana's cultural treasures, he was Bernard Woma play Kuorhonored as the cultural resource person for President Obama's family during their visit. So while President Obama was busy attending meetings, Bernard spent an entire day teaching Ghanaian music to Sasha and Malia who both loved the gyil xylophone. Michele Obama joined them later   in the day and also took a gyil lesson with Bernard. Unfortunately, President Obama had too much on his plate to squeeze in an African music lesson for himself, but he was most pleased with all that Bernard taught the First Family.