The One World series is about unity through music and cultural exchange. Let's have some fun! This installment of the genre-mixing, multicultural event features:
Paa Kow
Internationally acclaimed drummer and composer Paa Kow (pronounced Pah-Ko) fuses the vibrant rhythms and melodies of his Ghanaian roots with jazz and Afro-pop, creating a sound as dynamic as it is unique. Hailed as "Ghana's most artistic drummer" by Modern Ghana, Paa Kow's artistry comes to life on his custom-designed, hand-carved Ghanaian drum set, an instrument as singular as the music it produces. His performances offer an unforgettable cultural and musical experience, uniting audiences around the world through rhythm and spirit. Born in the small village of Enyan Denkyira near Cape Coast, Ghana, Paa Kow's musical journey began in his family's concert band, where he developed his skills and love for performance. His prodigious talent and passion for music propelled him beyond his early beginnings to share stages with legendary artists such as Kojo Antwi, Amakye Dede, and Victor Wooten, bridging the gap between African and Western musical traditions.
Paa Kow has performed across Africa, Europe, and the United States, captivating audiences with his deep grooves and masterful technique. Whether leading his Afro-Fusion Orchestra or collaborating with other world-class musicians, Paa Kow's drumming speaks a universal language, one that inspires a profound and spiritual connection with listeners. Driven by a mission to share the music and culture of Ghana with the world, Paa Kow continues to tour internationally, introducing audiences to the richness of Afro-fusion and the enduring legacy of his homeland's music. His work stands as a testament to the power of rhythm to transcend borders and unite people in a shared musical journey. paakowmusic.com
Parranderos Latin Combo
Parranderos Latin Combo (PLC) is a Des Moines based party band with compositions recorded at multi-grammy award winning PlayBach studios in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2014. PLC has been awarded the National Endowment of the Arts for recording original music twice. In January 2022, PLC released a new album El Gran Chantaje, a collection of 13 songs created with over 30 collaborators recorded in Des Moines, Medellin, Kansas City, Mexico City, Paris, Council Bluffs, Minneapolis, Santo Domingo. Parranderos Latin Combo (PLC) is a Latin music band creating and performing original music inspired by Salsa, Cumbia, Son Montuno, Afrobeat, Plena, Vallenato, Salsa Dura and many more party dance rhythms. Live performances are high-energy dance events, infusing Salsa classics with original grooves and compositions mixed to impress hips of discernment into rage. PLC was founded in 2010 by Fernando Aveiga and Ryan Mullin. Juan Sebastian Ramirez Espinosa joined as partner, producer and musical director in 2019 and many inspired/talented musicians from the past and present have added to the ever evolving collective that is PLC. parranderosmusic.com
Also check out other Entertainment events in Iowa City, Music events in Iowa City, Dance events in Iowa City.
