Gordon Odametey grew up in the village "Beje Wo Ahumi" with his family, wich is well known for their extraordinary drummers and dancers. Following the influence of his grandfather, a well known herbalist, he discovered at an early age the healing force of certain spoken words and special drum rhythms,especially the "heartbeat rhythms". In Ghana and its neighbouring countries he very quickly became famous as an exellent drummer. He was teaching fellow Africans and later also Europeans: first in a drum school outside Accra and today in Berlin and Europe. Gordon Odametey is living in Berlin since 1985. He payed and still plays in many different groups such as:"No Fears", "Bibiba", "Root B. Tama", "The World Orchestra", "Senegambigha" and Ade Bantu. He also played with other drummers like Mustapha Tettey Addy and Aja Addy. With Ogidi-Gidi which he founded 1987, he toured with "Blach Uhuru" and "The Wailers" and also made a TV appearance with them. He perform for dancer - composing and playing the musical rhythms. He also composes percussion-rhythms for different musicians. Last but not least he showed his skills on noumerous solo-concerts in Berlin, Basel, Vienna, Paris, New Orleans, Honkong ... Gordon Odametey has found his very own unique style. With the background of his tradition and his long experience in many different styles of music he is working in the field between traditional African rhythms and modern styles of music all throughout the world.
At a dance performance in southern Italy Helmut Erler and Michael Wolf hey-o-hansen, both from Austria, met Gordon Odametey. Since than hey-o-hansen is a trio. in recent time the focus of production and live performance has turned more and more towards club and dance music. In 2006 hey-o-hansen published a series of 12inch vinyl singles sponsored by Österreichischer Musikfonds and SKE-Fonds of Austromechana.
The words sung by the third band member Gordon Odametey, are of equal importance. They talk about Africa and Europe and about what is lying between these two worlds. ---------------------------------------------
GORDON ODAMETEY: "In 22 years as a musician and music teacher I have brought traditional African music to Europe. During this time i have played with European musicians and I have created new musical forms from the connection of traditional percussion and modern day electronics. This created a culture exchange in both directions. Now it is time for me to bring these experiences from Europe back to Africa and to build up something new there."THE STORY: "If we are still alive tomorrow ..." (African saying). Gordon Odametey is building - little by little - a recording studio and a live music club in West Africa, Ghana, half an hour by car away from Accra. INTENTION: To continue the construction and installation of a recording studio and music club in Accra, Ghana. To promote the project with the personal background of Gordon Odametey and the political background of migration from West Africa to Europe.
