As a musical device, the xylophone is a complex assemble of natural and industrious materials that achieve a high level of resonance, due to a combined use of pitched wood bars (sheanut tree or mahogany) and a complementary gourd for each one; hanging underneath a red wood frame, tied together and decorated with cowhide and other animal skins. The scale is pentatonic and its tuning is a rather relative one, not getting the perfect key-note, but rather equalizing the intervals.
Christopher Doozie, originally from Jirapa in the Upper West Region of Ghana, developed his interest in playing the xylophone at a very tender age. His grandfather trained him in xylophone-making at the age of 12. And this marked the beginning of a life long career and love for this instrument.
As a professional he was employed by the Arts Council of Ghana, by the Ghana Dance Ensemble and by the University of Ghana, as a xylophonist and as an instructor at the Institute of Adult Education of this University.
In 1988 he collaborated with the National Symphony orchestra of Ghana, and later on with the producers of the original "lion King" play, building xylophones for the production and training musicians in the traditional playing of this instrument.
Christopher Doozie has collaborated with musicians and educational institutions around the world, including Florida Atlantic University. FAU students enrolled in the "African Arts and Crafts class" during the Fall 2004 semester were privileged to be initiated into his the master xylophonist's discipline. This experience was made possible by a collaboration of the school's Departments of Communication, Art and Music. |
