Roots Rock Jazz
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Roots Rock Jazz

Bridgetown, Saint Michael, Barbados | INDIE

Bridgetown, Saint Michael, Barbados | INDIE
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"Alliance Francaise Barbados"

Blak :Kla' Soyl is a jazz singer, and plays her fathers own very drums. Her timbre is redolent of the sultry playfullness of Nancy Wilson, and perhaps a dollop of the late Dinah Washington. Blak :Kla' Soyl took on "La Vie en Rose," and she had the whole audience in the palms of her drum beating hands - The bajan Reporter


"Show of Support"

A combination of local talent erupted from the grounds of Farley Hill yesterday in support of the "Haiti Barbados loves you concert," which was geared toward raising funds for Haiti after a massive 7.0 earthquake left that country devasted two weeks ago.
Blak :Kla' Soyl was first out the blocks for the reggae section and was folloed by act from Buggy and the Fully loaded band. - The Barbados Advocate


"COSCAP Hails young and old talent"

Then it was time for the talent showcase. The entertainment segment highlighted what Barbados has to offer and gave some promising artistes a chance to shine. There was a long line up where some performers stood out, some were so-so and others were terrible.

Blak Kla Soyl, our very own "rootsy" Lady Gaga, was perhaps the most memorable performer of the night. This Barbados Music Award (BMA) nominee gave a funky and energetic performance that featured a steel pan player and her occasionally on the bongo drums. She has her own sense of style, in terms of music and fashion, and has a strong presence on stage. Blak Kla Soyl has two singles out and is working on her second roots jazz rock album with veteran musician Nicholas Brancker.

Blak Kla Soyl

Blak Kla Soyl's performance was one to remember - Kurama Magazine


"coscap foundation gala"




Big COSCAP Fund Raiser Coming

Published March 27th, 2010 in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Every once in a while an event comes along you feel is worth bathing for, the Coscap Foundation inaugural fund raising Gala is such an event.
It will be a big shin ding with top notch performers and its all in the name of a good cause to raise money for the good people at COSCAP.
If I sound like I am kissing up to somebody you are right, Coscap is the body that determines the liscense fees when you have live events and CroP Over is coming around again, so I would like to sweeten up Erica and Gale and them as much as possible, Erica loves it when I call her name…
I implore you to come out and support the most worthy and honorable event detailed below.

On Saturday, April 24, 2010, the COSCAP Foundation will hold its inaugural annual fundraising Gala at the Hilton. Hosted by Vic Fernandes and Cassandra Crawford, the Gala will be a black tie event with the theme: “Our Music, Our Artists, OurFuture”.

After dinner, there will be an artist showcase where guests will be entertained by stellar performances by Barbadians in widely varied genres such as gospel, calypso,rock, jazz, folk, hip hop, alternative, reggae, pop, tuk and acoustic. All of the music will be 100% Bajan. Confirmed acts will be a mix of established artists and some of the young up and coming talent including: Kareen Clarke, Sir Ruel, Gabby, John King, J-Storm, Threads of Scarlet, Buggy, TC, The Mike Sealy Quartet, Simon Pipe,Kite, Black Kla Soyl, Mistral Baldeo, Nexcyx, Billy Kincaid, Natahlee, Nicholas Brancker, Blood, Cherish Breedy, The JM Band.
The first annual Coscap Foundation Award of Excellence will be presented that night to the MerryMen in recognition and appreciation of their contribution to music and culture locally and internationally.
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On the First COSCAP Foundation Gala

Published April 28th, 2010 in Uncategorized | No Comments »

It was a prestigious event that attracted the crème de la crème of Barbadian entertainment, which is why it was so surprising they let me in, Am blogging about the COSCAP fund raising gala hosted at the Barbados Hilton on Saturday night.
It was an event that I had touted saying it was worth bathing for and it lived up to expectations, in fact it was worth 2 baths.

The décor at the Hilton was pretty magnificent with the lighting and special effects, the COSCAP girls looked good as well. I started the evening by complaining to them about the fact they took away the wonderful ticket that I thought would have made a perfect memento. After being told like Ali Singh I “Can’t get it back” I moved on to enjoy the proceedings.

To me the highlights were; The Food: I enjoyed the potatoes you know that is my favorite food, plus I had loads of vegetables and then I had loads of fruit for dessert, while eating the musical entertainment was by the Mike Sealy Quartette which included renown drummer and entertainment specialist Antonio “Boo” Rudder who also honored us by doing a song at a point. Honored was the word I used but M.C Market Vendor Vic Fernandes had a different opinion as it related to Boo’s singing when he came on afterwards.

Then The speeches came, they were concise and impactful, we heard first from Chairman of Foundation Glyne Murray then Chairman of Sony Music UK Paul Russel. Paul spoke of the Brit school which focuses on developing cultural arts, and one of them must be comedy as he was quite humorous in his presentation.

I thought it was really grand the recognition given to the Merrymen for the sterling contribution them made to the barbadian musical landscape, they have been together for over 45 years, that’s quite an achievement. Our Hon Prime Minister David Thompson was there and presented the first ever COSCAP Award of Excellence to the Merrymen on behalf of the foundation.

What I loved about the after dinner entertainment segment which was MC’ed by Cassandra Crawford, was the diversity of genres which were presented.
Example: Simone Pipe and his white protest music, he was the first up and sang a song lambasting the establishment, lambasting government who say we should have a voice but then want to tell us what to say, and this was right in front the PM then. It was refreshing to hear music other than calypso with a strong social commentary content.

Also enjoyed Cherish Breedy and Ayana John.I loved Black Kla Soyl, she sang, danced and played drums too, in case you didn’t know it she is the daughter of the late El Verno Del Congo”. I loved her segment, she reminded me of Sheila E from the 90’s who also drums and sings.

Don’t think I didn’t enjoy the other performers but I had to leave early and barely missed Kareen Clarke when she performed and prayed for the people present, I could have used the blessing, Darn.

My only disappointment for the night was not seeing Erica Smith CEO of COSCAP up close, I saw her once pass me obviously not paying attention to plebs like myself and then she was gone before I could say “hello, is it me you’re looking for” (by Lionel Richie)

A lot of you were wondering what Peter Ali Singh Boyce was doing at a $300 a ticket event,I would have to thank Tami for having the good sense and taste to take me along with her.I would like to congratulate COSCAP, Norman Barrow and Event Coordinator Ebonie Rowe for a well executed event


- Boyce voice


"Alliance Francaise"

Luckily in Barbados, our performers do not have to go through similar rigours as either Eartha nor Josephine, but French here still appreciate Afro-Caribbean talent. This was surely the case just the other night at the Mount Gay Visitor Centre when Bastille Day was observed with the help of none other than Blak Kla Soyl (say: black clay soil), the daughter of that late great Vern Best -aka- Verno Del Congo.

She is a jazz singer and plays her father's own very drums, her timbre is redolent of the sultry playfulness of Nancy Wilson and perhaps a dollop of the late Dinah Washington. Jamaal is on the regular drums while Ignatius Springer handles rythm guitar.

The most innocent things can spur her songwriting muse - such as during a trip on a van travelling to St Peter she was inspired by the breeze. She also did "Life Has Taught Me," another original where she discovers she can love and hate a man simultaneously.

She's proud of her African heritage yet she does not ram it down your throat, it's simply part of her audience patter as she totally enthralled the crowd. Mostly French or from Guadeloupe or Martinique, there were also representatives from the US Embassy. As well as attorney Lalu Hanuman.

Blak Kla Soyl played mostly originals that night such as "Spoonfeed Me" and "40's are the new 20's." Exceptions included her own husband's tribute to her father (Verno wrote the Bajan classic "Welcome The Morning Sun") which was simply called "Verno Del Congo" with some zouk and cadence rythms blended in the tune; she also assayed "House Of The Rising Sun," which she wants to eventually try and perform en francaise...

During intermission I discovered a cousin, her maiden name is Gillian Bourne from St Andrew - both of us have Julian Bourne in our family tree. An old Bajan who could not be ordered about (translation - a white Bajan who loved where his heart and not where his family dictated), as we both confirmed to each other - her hubby Jacques was hilarious in regaling his own family tree investigations.

In the second half of Blak Kla Soyl's show she kept hinting she'll be singing in French and it was not revealed until her very last song... Which turned out to be the signature tune of La Mome or Little Bird - Edith Piaf - yes, Blak Kla Soyl took on "La Vie En Rose" and she had the whole audience in the palms of her drum-beating hands!

Ophelie Bernard of Alliance Francaise indicated there are plans to revive Bastille Day celebrations in Barbados, and AF also have other activities planned for both September and October.




- Ian Bourne


Discography

2004-
Blak Kla Soyl the chromatical- Album

2008
A Real Mamma's Boy - single

2009
woman Celebrate- single

Photos

Bio

It is a cup of roots, a tablespoon of rock a teaspoon of jazz, with a pinch of hip hop, the sound is new, and the connotations are ancient. The main ingredients in the music is the Congo drum and vocals giving it a poetic flair.

Blak Kla Soyl on Vocals and Percussions...Jamal Browne on Traps, Marius Hawk Bass Charlomaine, and Jay on guitar

Blak Kla' Soyl is the sound of her band. She considers herself an ancient modern, and her sound will take you back and send you to the future.

As a performing artist, she launched her first sound, Earth Roots Jazz in Barbados, with her father, drum icon El Verno Del Congo and guitar.

Her love is Music Fashion and Theater. What better way to do all, through performing. She played her drum in Germany, Jamaica, St Lucia and keep performing as solo Artist in Ghana Africa, Jamaica and Bermuda.

Music is her first love, and her main influence are the drum and the lifestyles of other people, she also admires Nina Simone, Prince and Sting.

Blak Kla Soyl composes and produces for the band. In 2004, she produced and recorded her debut album entitled Blak Kla Soyl the Chromatical. She toured in Bermuda, Jamaica, St Lucia and Germany to promote the album.

In 2006 she took a spiritual break to take care of her father while she pursued her quest and acquired the secrets of drumming.

When she returned to the performing scene two years later, Blak Kla Soyl released two singles entitled a Real Mama's Boy and Women Celebrate. She received great recognition and was nominated at the Barbados Music Award 2009 she will vie for the title again in 2010 for Best Jazz Artist.