For a truly unique cultural experience The Garifuna Jazz Ensemble has a performance scheduled this Saturday March 16th at the Flushing Town Hall in New York. Preceding the concert there will be a dance lesson introducing attendees to a rich history. This celebration of Garifuna Heritage Month is a multilayered event, featuring performers and preservers of the African-Caribbean-rooted culture.

The talented Garifuna Jazz Ensemble brings awareness of the endangered language of the Garifuna people that was proclaimed a “Masterpiece and Oral Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO. The Garinagu (plural) are a mixed culture of West Africans that intermarried with The Carib-Arawak Indians on the island of St. Vincent & The Grenadines. Now the Garifuna people mostly reside in the northern coast of Honduras, and Belize. The Garifuna Jazz Ensemble presents this rich culture by fusing language, indigenous rhythms and traditional songs with elements and traditions of jazz.

Lucy Blanco is lead vocalist and one of the original co-founders of the group.  She is joined by a cast of well-seasoned musicians have cultivated a great sound working together over the last three years. The other core members of the group are pianist Mario Sprouse, percussionist Gary Fritz, bass player Hiliard Greene, violinist Luisa Bastidas, and dancers Martini Morales and Mariano Martinez. This diverse group of musicians bringing what they have to the table create a new sound with newly arranged compositions of familiar jazz standards and traditional music. The group strives to maintain its original mission of preserving the language and culture through music.

The presentation of Garifuna rhythms such as Punta, Paranda and Hungu hungu along with the use of indigenous instruments such as the Maracas, Garifuna Drums, Turtle-Shells, Conch Shells, and the Garifuna Language along with contemporary instruments create a distinct sound.

Another important purpose of this music is to demonstrate the universal message of one love. The history of African-American, Latin America and the Garifuna people and many other cultures in this world share a similar history where there has always been a struggle to maintain freedom, liberty and preservation of its culture, traditions and language. It is a testament to our Creator when people can come together and spread a positive message through music.

For more information visit www.flushingtownhall.com