PREVIOUS GUESTS

ABENA KOOMSON-DAVIS

Abena Koomson-Davis , born in 1974 in Worcester, Massachusetts is the first of three daughters born to John & Rosemond Koomson who came to the United States in the early 1970’s from Ghana, West Africa. Abena grew up in Hartford and Bloomfield, CT and graduated from Bloomfield High School. She studied literature and performing arts at Sarah Lawrence College and began a polyrhythmic career path as a performer, educator and wordsmith. After many years of teaching literature and serving as a high school dean, in 2008, Abena stepped away to join the Off-Broadway company of FELA!, a musical based on the life of Nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti where she played his mother. She reprised her role in the Tony Award winning Broadway production.

Abena is a member of the acapella trio Saheli and the lead singer of the funk rock band Van Davis, who had the honor of playing with Stevie Wonder as part of a U.N. Gala event. Abena returned to education and graduated in 2013 from Teachers College, Columbia University with a Masters in Education Leadership. In 2017, she married renowned jazz trombonist Steve Davis. That same year she became the Ethics Chair at Ethical Culture Fieldston School (Middle Division) and the Founding Musical Director for the Resistance Revival Chorus, a vocal ensemble founded to bring joy to activism in the civil rights tradition. Along with many Connecticut & New York based musicians, Abena and Steve have been regular collaborators.

Recent projects include Natalie Merchant’s latest album Keep Your Courage (Nonesuch 2023) and Abena’s debut jazz album Where is Love on WJ3 Records (2024). She has shared the stage with many luminaries including Carly Simon, Angelique Kidjo, Deva Mahal, Rhiannon Ghiddens and Allison Russell. She has composed for and performed with Scapegoat Garden, a Hartford- based creative engine and recipient of the Creative Capital Award.

An avid sports fan, Abena can often be seen donning Knicks and Yankees gear.

Abena Koomson-Davis , born in 1974 in Worcester, Massachusetts is the first of three daughters born to John & Rosemond Koomson who came to the United States in the early 1970’s from Ghana, West Africa. Abena grew up in Hartford and Bloomfield, CT and graduated from Bloomfield High School. She studied literature and performing arts at Sarah Lawrence College and began a polyrhythmic career path as a performer, educator and wordsmith. After many years of teaching literature and serving as a high school dean, in 2008, Abena stepped away to join the Off-Broadway company of FELA!, a musical based on the life of Nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti where she played his mother. She reprised her role in the Tony Award winning Broadway production. Abena is a member of the acapella trio Saheli and the lead singer of the funk rock band Van Davis, who had the honor of playing with Stevie Wonder as part of a U.N. Gala event. Abena returned to education and graduated in 2013 from Teachers College, Columbia University with a Masters in Education Leadership. In 2017, she married renowned jazz trombonist Steve Davis. That same year she became the Ethics Chair at Ethical Culture Fieldston School (Middle Division) and the Founding Musical Director for the Resistance Revival Chorus, a vocal ensemble founded to bring joy to activism in the civil rights tradition. Along with many Connecticut & New York based musicians, Abena and Steve have been regular collaborators. Recent projects include Natalie Merchant’s latest album Keep Your Courage (Nonesuch 2023) and Abena’s debut jazz album Where is Love on WJ3 Records (2024). She has shared the stage with many luminaries including Carly Simon, Angelique Kidjo, Deva Mahal, Rhiannon Ghiddens and Allison Russell. She has composed for and performed with Scapegoat Garden, a Hartford- based creative engine and recipient of the Creative Capital Award. An avid sports fan, Abena can often be seen donning Knicks and Yankees gear.