Written by Gwen Kallio
Among the 60+ artists on tap to appear at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, July 17-19 2009 at Jericho Beach Park, there is a wealth of music performance for those looking to experience African and Afro-inspired music.
From Gambia there’s Juldeh Camara, who will be performing with British guitarist/producer Justin Adams. Their collaboration has been described as trance-blues, an incredible meshing of blues-inspired grooves with a range of other influences, and featuring Camera’s voice and his mesmerizing play on the riti or nyanyeru (a one-string violin). From Jamaica, famed dub poet Mutabaruka makes a long-awaited return to the stage with his powerful reggae-based performance. Quebec singer and dancer Sara Rénélik blends her Haitian roots with Afro and Franco-Caribbean sounds to create a truly unique and inspiring performance. Belize-based group Umalali offer an entrancing journey of music and dance into the heart and soul of the Garifuna people of Central America.
These artists are just a few of the great variety of African, African-American and diaspora African music in store at Jericho Beach Park this summer. For a full list of artists, and to purchase Early Bird tickets before June 12 – go to www.thefestival.bc.ca or call 604-602-9798.
