Yawo: A native of Togo, West Africa, Yawo started his musical career at the “Ecole Experimentale de musique” of Lome where he studied flute, classical guitar, and electric bass. As the leader of the high school band he formed with his brother and sister, Yawo Attivor developed a talent for composing and arranging music that embraces both the traditions of the Ewe tribe and the influences of the western civilization. This multicultural approach to songwriting led to the creation of the MIMI-Togo (International Movement for Innovative music-Togo branch) which Yawo directed until he left Togo in 1992 as a result of political turmoil in his motherland. In 1993, Yawo joined the international organization Up With People, traveling the U.S. and Europe, promoting peace and understanding among the citizens of the world. After Up with People, Yawo, his cousin Ro Attivor(aka Ro Bezz), Sarah Agbeto and guitarist Matt Hupton created Doliho, an afropop project that rocked the Midwest with a unique album in the late 90s. In 2002, after he moved to Minneapolis a year earlier, Yawo launched a solo career with the album “Celebrate” (Mia du agbe) followed in October 2004 by “Take Out the Fences”, a “refreshingly upbeat” (Minneapolis Star-Tribune) album that breaks musical barriers with an explosion of afrobeat, afrofunk and reggae.

Stephen: Stephen Kung sprouted from Chinese and Danish/Iowan seed sown in the Wisconsin River valley town of Stevens Point. It was in this hotbed of Polish Polka that he developed his unique blend of jazz, classical, and yokel music. His playing is marked by a boastful pride typical of a native Packer fan.

Bill Bergman, BB: Bill has been playing guitar for as long as he can remember. Attending Berkeley College of Music enabled him to redefine his perspective of music, especially in the international scene. With a strong interest in the evolution of ‘world music’, Bill easily blends western style licks with the rhythms and harmonies from the tropics. He has performed with several groups around the country. Bill is from the USA.

Edi: Edi Kwasi Gbordzi, from Accra, is a native of the Ewe people of the Volta region. The newest addition to our Yawo & Fils Attivon family, He received his dance and drumming training from the University of Ghana-Legon at the Institute of African Studies. He performed with the National Dance Company of Ghana (Ghana Dance Ensemble) for seven years and traveled internationally with them. He has taught master classes, workshops and seminars in African music and dance throughout the United States in universities, churches and community centers. Currently teaching African dance at the MCCCA Edi is also the Director of a new drum and dance company appearing in Madison, “Atimevu Drum and Dance Ensemble."

Count on Greg "The Machine" Schutte. Born and raised in Mukwonago, WI, (that sounds like the name of an African tribe!), Greg began playing drums at age ten, performing in various school and community functions. After moving to Colorado in 1991, Greg joined a "mean funk"/rock group called The Budge for four years. At the end of the Budge years, Greg enrolled at Music Tech in Minneapolis and graduated after one year. Here are some artists this young man has performed with: Ester Godinez, Debbie Duncan, Shane Henry band(B. B. King Blues Fest 2002), Wayne McFarlane and many others. In his search for freaky musical adventures, Greg joined Yawo and LFA for the "Village On A Rocking Chair Tour".