Ella Andall

Genre: World
Secondary Genre: Singer/Songwriter Arima, Not Applicable Trinidad and Tobago Contact

A powerful dynamic vocalist with a talented group of musicians playing African - Caribbean Rhythms which incorporate the praise songs, drumming and rhythm of Yoruba heritage as retained in the Caribbean.

Artist Information

Biography

Ella Andall has worked consistently over the past four decades to establish herself as an artiste of international stature. Considered by many as a Caribbean Queen of Song – a chantuelle supreme, a high priestess of African-Caribbean music, Ella's journey is one of power and potency.

From the early 1970s, Ella Andall emerged as a dynamic force among a new breed of peoples' artistes in Trinidad and Tobago. With music as her main vehicle, she has dedicated her life to reach and teach the people, pushing a positive image reinforced with lyrical strength and fervour.

The development of SOCA as a radical sound of the Caribbean's youth, saw Ella as one of its main messengers during its formative years. Artistically defined as ‘the soul of Calypso', SOCA music brought a new approach and attitude to the Caribbean landscape. Ella Andall personified that new attitude – painting new pictures of empowerment for her people, cutting new paths forward, sending new signals with songs of love, lite and liberation. During this period, Ella toured extensively through the Caribbean region, United States and Canada with the band Vibrations International (led by the late Ras Shorty I). Her recordings topped the Caribbean music charts - Second Fiddle, We Are Different People - and her exciting cover of Eddie Grant's Hello Africa autographed Ella Andall's name into Caribbean music history.

Ella has moved with a renewed determination to express the rootical sound of the Caribbean, rejoicing with the African spirit while retracing ancient steps with new energy. She articulates the struggle of the women, she provides sustenance for the children. Hit songs like Black Woman, Bring Down The Power, Rhythm of a People and Missing Generation, brought Ella more awards in Caribbean music industry. In 1996 she was voted Best Female Artiste in Trinidad and Tobago, and in 1997 was the Caribbean Entertainer of the Year. Other awards include, NACC – Top 20 Stars of Gold – Calypso Award Ceremony – Say My Name (1997); Female Composer of the Year COTT (1998). She performed in the National Calypso Monarch show and the International Soca Monarch show (the two premiere music events in Trinidad Carnival).

The dramatic and dynamic presence on stage, the intense energy radiating, the majesty, the magic, have all contributed to the power that is Ella Andall. Her journey into the theatre has brought her acclaim in the musical “Carnival Messiah” (West Yorkshire Playhouse, UK) and the lead role in “Yaa Asantewa Warrior Queen “ Royal Festival Hall, London) which played in both England and Ghana. She was also the musical director and lead chantuelle in the production of “Sango de Imo” (The University of the West Indies, Centre for Creative and Festival Arts).

In 1999 Ella was invited to the World Beat concert held in Trinidad to perform alongside artistes such as Baaba Maal, Nitin Sawhney, Tito Puente, Hugh Masekela, Andre Tanker, Ravi Shankar and many more. She has also performed for noted persons such as the Dalai Lama, then President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of South Africa Nelson Mandella, Winnie Mandela, Iyanla Vanzant and the Oni of Ife
Her musical journey continues as she graces the international stages representing Trinidad and Tobago across the world. In December 2005, she was the opening performer for the First World Music Festival held in St. Lucia, and in March 2006, she performed at Trinity College in Hartford Connecticut at a concert tribute to the memory of Andre Tanker. In June she performed at the Afro American Tradition Festival (FITA) in Venezuela and shared the stage with Miriam Makeba in the 2006 Emancipation Celebrations in Trinidad. In March 2007, she appeared at the Blues and Rhythms Festival in St. Vincent to loud acclaim and admiration.

She continues to sing out her sounds of freedom, joy, love and rejuvenation.

Ella Andall's website: www.ellaandall.com

Ella's Fan Page: www.facebook.com/pages/Ella-Andall/71390759716

Instrumentation

Ella Andall - Lead Vocalist
Julie - Backing Vocalist
Lauren - Backing Vocalist
Sheldeane - Backing Vocalist
Kurtis - Drummer/Backing Vocalist
Everald - Drummer
Jegbe - Drummner/Backing Vocalist
Anthony - Guitar
Russell - Bass Guitar
Winston - Drum Kit
Michael - Key boards
Christella - Keyboards/Backing Vocalist

Given the nature of the performance, members of the performing act may vary.

Discography

1973 - Waiting for You
1975 - Love in The Caribbean
1982 - Black Woman
1998 - Oriki Ogun
1999 - Bring Down The Power
2001 - Awake
2003 - Spirit Dancer
2003 - Sango Ba Ba Wa
2007 - Moforibale Esu
2008 - Osun Bamise
2009 - Osain Ade
2010 - Iba Yemoja

Links

Audio

Lyrics

Video

Ella Andall Awake

Photo Gallery

  • Ella Andall

  • Ella performs for Winnie Mandela

  • Drummers

  • Ella performs in Connecticut

  • Ella's Groove

  • Ella in Song

  • Ella and Backing Vocalists

  • Ella and Drummer in Flow

  • Ella at the Kakalu World Music Festival in St. Lucia 2005

  • Ella, Backing Vocalists, Drummers and Manager in Venezuela, FITA 2006

Press

  • Liner Notes, Miss Ella [+ Show ]

    Andall has a sound which reminds us powerfully of yesterday's Miriam Makeba or of the group, "Sweet ...

  • The Soul of Trinidad: Ella Andall's Sango Baba Wa [+ Show ]

    Ella is a Goddess. A real Goddess. When you are in her presence, the thing that strikes you most is...

  • Earth Music [+ Show ]

    EARTH MUSIC by Caroline Neisha Taylor Caroline Neisha Taylor gets close to Ella Andall, a sing...

Setlist

A set list will include Yoruba chants to Ogun, Esu, Osun, Sango, with other, mainly original songs:
Black Woman
Missing Generation
Different People
Bring Down The Power of Love
Rhythm of a People
Hello Africa
Women of the Sun
My Spirit is Music
Bread, Peace and Justice
Dance (Ni ti wa)
People of Conscience
Awake

Basic Requirements

Calendar

There are no upcoming dates at this time.