The Creole Choir of Cuba

Creole Choir of Cuba 

Concert Review
Croydon Clock Tower
Wed 9 February 2011

Also known as "Grupo Vocal Descedann", the group delivered an outstanding performance, surely an amazing way to kick off the 2011 World Music season. In an interview with the musical director Emilia Diaz Chavez, she spoke with pride in confirming that the members of the choir are all direct descendants of Haiti, and pay homage to their forefathers for preserving a rich culture through song, storytelling and dance.


The choir kicked off with "Mandaje", which recounts the disorientation felt by African slaves on arrival in Haiti. A slow melancholic song, it took the audience through a spiritual journey of Haitian history. One could almost feel and share in the experiences of slavery, all the way from Africa to the Caribbean islands of Haiti and Cuba.

"Edem Chanté", which means "Help us sing", and the first of several rousing freedom songs that dates from the bloody years of the Papa Doc Duvalier regime, followed to set the tone for the rest of the concert, for what was to be an impressive set of melodies.





Throughout the evening, the choir exhibited such joyous vocals, with animation and an invitation for the public to join in. 
My favourites on the night have got to be "Tande" and "Neg Anwo", either side of the interval.  The former being a freedom song denouncing the suffering of Haitian people through the Duvalier regime; whilst “Neg Anwo”, an uplifting song executed with vigorous aplomb, is a call to the rich people of Haiti to help their poor. 

Few groups – Ladysmith Black Mambazo apart – have the ability to enthral an audience with such natural and powerful vocal delivery, and without the aid of modern orchestral arrangements. This was a concert of high quality and beauty; both a spiritual and vocal triumph.

The new CD Tande-la is out on Realworld records and our February 2011 album of the month. 

More info @
http://www.creolechoir.com
http://www.myspace.com/thecreolechoirofcuba  
http://www.realworldrecords.com/videos/tanda-la

Also check out Sky Arts documentary @
http://video.sky.com/skyarts/related/remap/video-sky-arts-at-the-creole-choir-of-cuba/

More videos @

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/mpd/permalink/m3ALJ8YSSHDZBW/ref=ent_fb_link