The Garifuna Collective Performing at Costa Maya Festival 2014

The International Costa Maya Festival is delighted to announce the participation of The Garifuna Collective at this year’s International Costa Maya Festival. They will perform live on Friday, August 8, 2014 at the festival grounds in La Isla Bonita, San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye.

The Garina Collective

It has been six years since Andy Palacio & The Garifuna Collective releasedWátina, an album that received unanimous acclaim and elevated the international profile of the music and culture of Central America’s Afro-Amerindian Garifuna community. On the cusp of tremendous fame, Palacio passed away suddenly at the age of 47 not long after Wátina was released, leaving many to wonder who would continue bringing the voice of his people to the world.

The Garifuna Collective

With the upcoming release of Ayó (“Goodbye” in the Garifuna language), out July 2 on Stonetree / Cumbancha, Palacio’s band proves they are up to the task, and with Wátina producer Ivan Duran of Stonetree back at the helm, they have created a magical album of soul-stirring songs that reflect the rich heritage and appealing sound of contemporary Garifuna music. With a lineup that consists of the best musicians in the fertile Garifuna music scene, The Garifuna Collective promises to carry the torch of cultural innovation and promotion passed on by Andy Palacio far into the future.

The Garifuna Collective’s continued growth and development is the direct result of Wátina’s success and a powerful homage to Andy Palacio’s impact. Duran concludes, “Since that album came out, there isn’t any more fear that Garifuna music is going to die out. Andy’s biggest legacy is just showing the way, proving that the world is interested in this culture’s music. It helped children in small villages to understand that their culture is just as important as anybody else’s. That sense of self-pride is a potent message that continues to echo across Belize and inspire new musicians to keep their traditions thriving.” Ayó carries on that mission and reveals that the well of Garifuna musical talent is deep and continues to be refreshed by new generations.

One of the singers who made the greatest effort to fill Palacio’s shoes is Lloyd Augustine. Already a popular singer of punta, the upbeat Garifuna dance music that is known across the Caribbean and Central America, Augustine became one of the group’s most devoted members. Augustine wrote the album’s title song as a farewell to his mentor Palacio. Duran mentions, “Several of the songs on this album were made for Andy. Everybody went through a period in the last five years of missing Andy, and wanting to deliver this record in his memory. I think there is a certain nostalgia that is evident in the songs, even though most are upbeat.”

The Garifuna Collective, Belize

The Garifuna Collective, Belize

You can read more about The Garifuna Collective here.