A cornucopia of Caribbean culture for NY on October 26
Published:Saturday | October 5, 2024 | 12:07 AMDave Rodney/Gleaner Writer
The cultural group Braata Singers has been in existence in New York City for 15 years and, during that time, they have delivered excellent choral folk performances nationally and internationally to consistent rave reviews.
The group’s initial mission was to showcase and preserve indigenous folk cultures of Jamaica from icons such as Louise Bennett. But, despite the group’s tremendous success, it took time out to pause, reflect and to reimagine an exciting new path to the future. The new direction has enabled Braata Singers to broaden its scope, update the offerings of its musical output, and amplify the diverse voices and cultures of the entire Caribbean region.
The Still Standing Remount Concert will effectively be the group’s relaunch. The sizzler takes place on Saturday, October 26 in Brooklyn at the Holy Family Auditorium. The performance will showcase the infusion of fresh elements in the ensemble. New members have been added from other islands beyond Jamaica to include Haiti, Grenada, Dominica and Trinidad and Tobago. The Brooklyn concert will serve up a cornucopia of Caribbean cultures with music rich in all the elements that make up the contemporary tapestry of the Caribbean inspirational gospel, soca, dancehall and reggae.
“We will present a mesmerising concert experience that pays tribute to the captivating cultures and the rich musical traditions of Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Haiti,” the group’s artistic director Andrew Clarke revealed.
If the dynamism of the previous template from Braata is anything to go by, one can expect spirited movement, vibrant, colourful costumes and harmonious, soul-stirring voices.
“My hope is that the group will be seen as the standard-bearer for Caribbean choral music in the tri-state region and beyond,” Clarke told The Gleaner. “We want to be the pre-eminent group that reflects the wonderful diversity of the Caribbean.”