Students can expect good music from the roots rock reggae band Kwame and Wan Afrika. OU’s performing Arts Series welcomes the band to the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium stage tonight.

The band’s agent, Stewart Mann of SRO Artists, said, "(Kwame and Wan Afrika’s) basic concept is reggae, but it intertwines the singing, dancing and drumming that Kwame observed while growing up in West Africa."

Leader Kwame was born in Swedru, Ghana, where his musical roots first blossomed. To educate and entertain, Kwame incorporates his African heritage into his shows. " I feel that education goes beyond the classroom. We try to bring culture to the dance halls. We try to teach the knowledge of the self," Kwame said.

Bob Marley, James Brown and Tom Wait have influenced Kwame, but ultimately, he is his own influence. Riddim magazine said, "Kwame hits the stage and lets you know that an African is here. He sings of the joys and sorrows of humanity, never forgetting his humility."

The Martin’s International Chicago Reggae Music Awards nominated the group in 1988 for the most culture-oriented band award. Mann said the band has been on the Chicago music scene for a few years playing the most popular clubs in the strong reggae city.

Recently, Kwame and Wan Afrika performed at the World Congress of Religions in Chicago. "The parliament meets every 100 years," Kwame said. "And this year, we were fortunate to represent (the way of life) Rasta fari."

Mann said Kwame and Wan Afrika are currently touring colleges nationally, looking for the right record contract, and selling CDs from the stage and their web-site: www.wanafrika.com. He added that the college towns have been quite receptive to the band. Kwame said he looks forward to making Athens no exception.