Belize's Garifuna Collective, Blandine Kiniki @ Koerner Hall, Thursday

After the unfortunate cancellation of Orchestra Baobab, the Garifuna Collective from Belize makes a fantastic replacement April 2.  

Here's the scoop...

From Belize, The Garifuna Collective a driving force in celebrating the rich cultural heritage and music of the Garifuna people, an Afro-Indigenous group community with a rich cultural heritage, originating from the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent and now residing in various countries, including Honduras, Belize, and the United States. 

Their music is “full of surging seaside rhythms and yearning, soulful melodies that hang in the memory” (BBC Music) and has been described as “an extraordinary blend that layers soulful, indigenous and African rhythms with sweet, lyrical melodies” (NPR). The band’s energetic and evocative live shows draw from their extensive repertoire, mixing traditional Garifuna rhythms with contemporary world music grooves.

 

Singer/songwriter and percussionist Blandine Kaniki, winner of an African Entertainment Award 2015 as Best Female Voice, blends the soul of rhumba with urban music. The Congolese Canadian singer’s 2019 album L’Antidote featured a powerful collaboration with the legend of Congolese music Nyboma and lead guitarist Lokassa Ya M'Bongo.

 

Presented in association with Batuki Music Society. Tickets for The Garifuna Collective with Blandine Kiniki at Koerner Hall (273 Bloor St. West) on Thursday, April 2 at 7 pm start at $50. Get 'em right here. Watch a few clips of the Garifuna Collective in action along with some Garifuna documentary footage below.