Ba-ere Yotere

Biography

Ba-ere Yotere was born in Saru, Northern Ghana. He was taught the gyil repertoire and practice by his grandfather, Dannah Dommoche, the patriarch of a traditional family of gyil masters. At age 20, Ba-ere himself was qualified as a gyil master (required to perform in the sacred funeral rite in Lobi society). He toured internationally in 1994 and 1996 with the late Kakraba Lobi; one of only two people to ever do so. A gyil maker and master teacher who is sought after by other professional gyil players, Ba-ere performs in Ghana’s capitol city Accra at such venues as the Arts Council, the University of Ghana, Kokrobitey’s International School of the Arts, and for the U.S. embassy.Ba-ere toured the U.S. in 2013 with the help of Dr. Baruch Whitehead and Valerie Naranjo, giving masterclasses and performances at schools such as Ithaca College, New York University Steinhardt School of Music, Kutztown University, Lawrence University, Baldwin Wallace University, and more. He was selected as a featured artist for the 2013 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ba-ere currently lives in the Greater Accra region of Ghana and is available for lessons (in-person and Skype/Facetime), as well as performances.