Concert puts Emancipation music in spotlight

The concert features a cast of popular and successful artistes, including Tahirah Osborne, 2006 Music Festival Junior Champion in Gospel and ‘Negro’ Spiritual Classes and member of the Marionettes Junior Chorale; Germaine Wilson, Joanne Pyle, Janine Charles-Farray, Rhona Mohon, Andre Alexander, all past and present Music Festival winners, as well as members of the Lydian Singers.

In addition, Denise Charles will be doing poetry specially written for this musical journey; Erphaan Alves, a junior calypsonian, who is now making waves in the entertainment circle; Kareem Brown and Avis Bruce young steelpan players and arrangers; and the popular and vibrant North West Laventille Cultural Movement.

Also featured will be calypsonian Duke, David Bereaux, Brian London, Karega Mandela and Ella Andall. Musical accompaniment is by Earl Carnavon and Friends.

Initially, Amadi (Swahili for “general rejoicing”) featured Miriam Makeba songs during the Emancipation period. Last year, Amadi extended its public interface and presented its very well attended first concert, ‘Pata Pata’ featuring songs from Makeba’s repertoire.

A press release on the concert stated: “There is of course a reason why this year Amadi is presenting such a wide range of artistes who will captivate audiences with their distinctive interpretations of ‘Negro’ Spirituals, Gospel, Blues, Jazz, Soul, Rap, West Indian Folk Songs, Raggae, Rapso, Calpyso, Poetry, Dance and Steelpan.

“You see, Amadi (Swahili for “general rejoicing”) is well aware that ‘Emancipation from Slavery,’ which this country has celebrated with a public holiday since 1985, is a reason for rejoicing. And Amadi is aware that the pathway to emancipation involved the massive importation of African slaves in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

“Slavery was a long-standing and cruel system which was abolished through the Emancipation Act effected in the British Parliament in 1834. Even then, the pathway of effectual slavery continued in Trinidad since the ex-slaves were apprenticed to their former slave masters for a minimum of four years.

“Amadi is also aware that the artistic expression of music is a key way to convey information, provide sustenance to the human spirit and stir emotions. This is why during centuries of slavery and during the struggles for equality thereafter, music became an important component of the way of life of people of African descent.

This is why in both the USA and in Trinidad and Tobago where African slavery existed, priceless musical genres grew out of slavery including ‘negro’ spirituals, gospel, jazz, folk songs, dance, calypso and pan.”

The concert will feature African/American music during the first part of its presentation and African/West Indian music during the second half. The show takes place at the Little Carib Theatre, Woodbrook on July 22 at 8.15 pm. and July 23 at 6.30 pm.

Admission is $80 and tickets are available at African Trophies, 39 Tragarete Road, Port-of-Spain, and Cleve’s One Stop Music Shop, 58 Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain.

Interested persons can also call Carol at 640-1206 or Rhona at 667-1461 for tickets.