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Guyanese-UK Flautist Keith Waithe to entertain Commonwealth Leaders at Chogm, Trinidad
The renowned Uk-Guyanese flautist Keith Waithe has secured the gig of a lifetime. He is flying to Trinidad to lay on a series of concerts for the Commonwealth Heads of Government gathered in Port of Spain for their summit from November 23rd to 26th.
Waithe will play with a variety of musicians including his scratch multi racial and pioneering band from Guyana Buxton Fusion. That is made up of African and Indian Guyanese musicians from neighbouring and often warring villages, Annandale and Buxton, on East Coast Demerara Guyana. Waithe played Carifesta in 2008 and is a frequent visitor to Guyana. On this trip,he will go on from Trinidad to the Guyanese rainforest to work on a British Arts Council funded project on the music of the rainforest.
Waithe, a former policeman in Guyana and now an educator in Britain, announced this at the launch concert for his new ‘Gathering Echoes’ album held in the ornate enivorment of the PM house and Gallery in Ealing on Friday night. This building was the country home of the famous architect Sir John Soame. Waithe entertained a select audience including the Mayor of Ealing with his machinations on the flute.He often, literally, made it sing.
Waithe was joined in the concert by two fellow UK Guaynese legends the poets Grace Nichols and Jon Agard. Grace read from her new book ‘Picasso give me my face back’ based an a recent residency at the Tate Modern Gallery in London to a rapt audience whilst Agard barnstormed the audience with his rhythmic poetry including the classic ‘Kettle Anthem’ about the British love of a cup of tea.He had them eating out of his hand with his forceful delivery and humour.The warm evening ended with Agard paying a tribute ’Flute man’ to Waithe in verse with Keith playing along.
For one night, a little piece of Guyana and her rich culture descended on London W5. Soon it will grace the world stage at Port of Spain.
Award winning Guyanese flautist Keith Waithe to launch new album "Gathering Echoes" at 2009 Guyana Folk Festival.
As the title suggests Gathering Echoes is literally a collection of sounds, crossing genres with ease in true Keith Waithe style.
It is a collage of soulful jazz and Caribbean folk pieces infused with Waithe’s uplifting flute melodies and the interplay between these melodies and Helen McDonald’s stunning vocals. This long awaited album demonstrates the skill and versatility that can draw together classic jazz, reggae and folk pieces with an undercurrent of African, Caribbean and Asian percussion that has become the signature Keith Waithe sound.
In Keith Waithe’s own words “I’ve shifted from being merely a vehicle for music to drawing on influences that span from the creativity of my ancestors to that of current culture in both composing and arranging”
KEITH WAITHE... making the flute talk
See Keith at:
GCA AWARDS CEREMONY
SEPTEMBER 2 (By Invitation Only)
Borough Hall, Brooklyn
GFF FAMILY DAY
SEPTEMBER 6
Meyer Levin School Grounds - 5909 Beverly Rod & Ralph Avenue
• Other Venues to be announced
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Folfest Family Fun Day
Sunday September 6, 2009
Meyer Levin School Grounds, 5909 Beverly Road and Ralph Avenue (Entrance on Ralph)
11am - 7pm • Kids under 17 & Seniors over 70 FREE • Adults $10
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