Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – The Love Circle, Trinidad and Tobago’s Royal Family of music, is confirmed as one of the sixteen (16) artistes from amongst 450 applicants to perform at the 11th Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), which takes place from 11-13 July at the Sarawak Cultural Village, Malaysia. The festival is recognized by World Music Expo (WOMEX) as one of the world’s top ten music festivals.
This Love Circle tour will include artiste extraordinaire Sheldon Blackman, twice-crowned National Calypso Queen Abbi Blackman and the legendary band Isaac Blackman and The Love Circle. Together, they represent a rich part of the legacy left by the late Ras Shorty I (Garfield Blackman), who invented two world music genres: Soca and Jamoo.
Organized by the Sarawak Tourism Board and supported by Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, the Rainforest World Music Festival is a concert series that highlights traditional world music performers. In addition to being featured at one evening performance and conducting three workshops, The Love Circle will also participate in various cultural exchange activities including ethno-musical lectures, mini concerts and even previews at venues across Kuala Lumpur and Kuching.
The Love Circle forms the base of the multi-instrumental and exceptionally talented band that will be representing Trinidad and Tobago at the festival, and which is especially pleased to reunite with two former lead members, who continue to thrill audiences today as solo acts.
This dynamic combination of artists will be placing the original music of Trinidad and Tobago on the world music map, through the genres of calypso, soca and jamoo. The Love Circle, which is the first band from the Caribbean islands to perform at the festival, will be presenting the country’s national instrument, the steelpan, as part of the group’s performance instruments.
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Author: World Music Central News Room
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