Born in Accra, Ghana, January 15, 1936
Died in Portland, OR, September 13, 2012
[OH-boh AE-dee]
- Obo Addy was the son of a priest and medicine man of the Ga people of southern Ghana. He studied drumming from a young age and actively participated in ceremonies and rituals in his community.
- As a performing artist, Addy was particularly drawn to Highlife, a style of music that involved playing African rhythms on European instruments.
- In 1972, Addy and his brothers performed at the Olympic Games in Munich, Germany.
- In 1978, the musician emigrated to the United States, eventually settling in Portland, OR.1
- In addition to his performing and composing, Addy made a significant impact on bringing world music to Portland and surrounding areas. He taught at Lewis & Clark College, hosted weekly drumming classes at Lincoln High School in Portland, and, together with his wife, created the Homowo African Arts and Cultures.2
Learn More
Biography
Video lecture from the Oregon Historical Society
Sources
- “Obo Addy,” National Endowment for the Arts, accessed December 27, 2022, https://www.arts.gov/honors/heritage/obo-addy.
- Zeb Larson, “Obo Addy (1936-2012),” Oregon Encyclopedia (2022), accessed December 27, 2022, https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/addy_obo_1936_2012/#.Y6s8sXbMKUl.