Saka Acquaye established his African Ensemble in Philadelphia in 1954, bringing traditional West African rhythms and instrumentation to American audiences during a pivotal era of cross-cultural musical exchange. The group became known for their dynamic live performances across the East Coast, appearing on radio and television broadcasts while also performing in prestigious concert venues and university settings.
The ensemble released a notable LP in 1959 before Acquaye returned to Ghana, concluding the group's chapter. Their work contributed to the early documentation and performance of African music in the United States, bridging traditional African sound with American concert and broadcast platforms during the mid-20th century.
