The Caribbean woman’s impact on that region’s music will take the spotlight for this year’s Rhythms of Africa, scheduled for March 16-17 at Miramar Cultural Center in South Florida.
Roots-reggae singer Etana from Jamaica and soca star Alison Hinds of Barbados, will represent different eras and genres at the show, dubbed ‘Strength of A Woman’ by organizers.
“It makes it even more powerful and relevant considering that March is Women’s History Month. Our idea is to pay tribute to and celebrate our singing Icons, choosing songs of some of our great female artists present and past from the Caribbean and around the world,” said drummer Willie Stewart, who first held the show in 2010.
Narrator for both shows is Kamila McDonald, a personal trainer and television host from Jamaica.
Next month’s Rhythms of Africa also pays tribute to keyboardist Ibo Cooper who died last October. Cooper and Stewart were members of the Third World band for over 20 years before leaving in 1997. Prilly Hamilton, original singer of Third World, will also be part of the Cooper tribute.
Stewart has lived in South Florida for 20 years and has mentored hundreds of students in the Broward County school system on the dynamics of drumming. Many of his students participate in Rhythms of Africa which has featured acts such as Richie Stephens and Julian Marley.
A segment of the 2023 show saluted the 50th anniversary of Third World. It had a guest appearance from guitarist Stephen “Cat” Coore, who founded the band with Cooper in 1973.