Nigerian poet and pianist Echezonachukwu Nduka is set to captivate with a solo recital in Buffalo, New York.
The performance, titled “Resounding African Pianism,” will take place on August 17, 2024, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo from 2pm (EDT) as part of their post-COVID Casual Concert Series.
Nduka, hailed by The Guardian as an “Artist Extraordinaire,” specialises in classical piano music by African composers, with a focus on Nigerian and Ghanaian works.
According to a statement by his publicist, Uchenna Emelife, the hour-long performance is a piano recital series dedicated to the celebration and performance of works by composers of African descent. This recital will feature works by J.H. Kwabena Nketia, Joshua Uzoigwe, Christian Onyeji, Oswald Russell, Fred Onovwerosuoke, Innocent Okechukwu, Itunu Oyewale and Chijioke Ngobili. Reservations can be made here.
This performance marks a significant moment in the promotion of African classical music on the international stage. Nduka, currently pursuing a Ph.D. in music studies at the University of Pennsylvania, brings a wealth of expertise in African Pianism and Art Music to his performances.
The artiste’s credentials extend beyond music, as he is also the author of two critically acclaimed poetry collections: Chrysanthemums for Wide-eyed Ghosts (Griots Lounge, 2018) and Waterman (Griots Lounge, 2020). His recent musical project, The African Serenades, released by Centaur Records in 2023, further cements his role as a cultural ambassador for African classical music. It is a collaborative project where he performs select African classical piano music. He is a PhD student in Music Studies: Ethnomusicology at the University of Pennsylvania, and his research interests include African Pianism, African Art Music, Applied Ethnomusicology, Performance Studies and Postcolonial Literature.
