Enfield Caribbean Association was at the Caribbean Tea Party organised by Dugdale Art Centre as part of the Enfield Culture Festival. More than 150 people came to the centre on Sunday 5 March, visiting the ECA stall and viewing CATHIP health messages in the centre's auditorium.
A delicious 2 course Caribbean meal was available to the event's visitors, which climaxed in the performance of live Jazz-Reggae-Calypso fused music.
Bassist, band leader, co-founder of Tomorrow’s Warriors, and founder of festival favourites Jazz Jamaica, Dr Gary Crosby OBE led a big double header of Caribbean music at Enfield Culture Festival. Simmer Down with Steppin’ Over quartet plus special guest, the First Lady of Jamaican Jazz, Myrna Hague, served up a mixture of calypso, jazz, and Blue Beat inspiration. The live sounds from the quartet and Ms Hague got members of audience on their feet dancing to the rhythms.
According to Sarisha Kumar, Programme Manager at Dugdale Art Centre, "It was really special.to have a space for Caribbean elders and the community to have a superb day out and celebrate at newly refurbished Dugdale Art Centre.”
Oveta McInnis, chair of ECA said, "This was a wonderful event, that brought all the essential elements of Caribbean culture. Beautiful music, beautiful food, dancing and positive conversations. ECA was more than happy to support and promote this event that brought people together in the beautifully new Dugdale Art Centre."
The afternoon was completed with a wonderful performance from the Reggae Choir an exciting contemporary ensemble, open to all who enjoy singing reggae music, regardless of skill or experience. The performance was superb, with renditions from Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff and other reggae artists from the past.
Formed in 2012 by award-winning singer-songwriter Fola Phillip, Reggae Choir have performed at many indoor and outdoor events and festivals including the U.K’s largest reggae and dub festival ‘One Love’, Citadel Festival.
Gary Crosby OBE, is the co-founder and artistic director of the multi-award winning creative producer, youth talent development organisation and charity Tomorrow’s Warriors, which has been at the heart of the recent British jazz explosion, nurturing young musical talent and increasing opportunity, diversity and excellence in and through jazz.
He is also the artistic director of the acclaimed Nu Civilisation Orchestra and, in 2018, became the 14th recipient of the prestigious Queen/’s Medal for Music– the first person of colour and first non-classical musician ever to receive the award. An internationally recognised jazz musician, band leader and educator, he joins us today with a quartet of fine musicians drawn from his award-winning dance orchestra, Jazz Jamaica All Stars.
The First Lady of Jamaican Jazz, Myrna Hague began her career in the mid-1960s performing at jazz venues in London and went on to record for the legendary Coxsone Dodd at Studio One, notably her Melody Life album. The album included some of Myrna’s most popular singles, including the title track, How Could I Live, and First Cut Is The Deepest.
A seriously delicious 2 course Caribbean meal.
Oveta McInnis, Chair of ECA & Councilor Greer, Enfield Council.
A superb 2-course Caribbean meai was enjoyed by all
Myrna Hague, delivering up a mash-up of calypso, jazz, and Blue Beat inspiration with the Simmer Down with Steppin’ Over quartet
Members of the Reggae Choir performing a range of songs from Reggae artists.
