Gala To Showcase Top Bajan Talent

Some of the best of Barbados' musical talent will perform at a fund-raising gala where legendary band the MerryMen will be honoured for their cultural and musical contribution.

On Saturday, April 24, the COSCAP Foundation will hold its inaugural annual fund-raising Gala at Hilton Barbados. 

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 along with some of the up and coming talent including Buggy, Billy Kincaid, Natahlee, Ayana John, TC, Simon Pipe, Kite, Blak Kla Soyl, Mistral Baldeo, Nexcyx, Blood, Cherish Breedy and Threads of Scarlet.

Reggae songstress Ayana John (Photo: Jaryd Niles-Morris)

Jazz protege Mistral Baldeo performing with Spice & Company.

The COSCAP Foundation, under the patronage of Sir David Simmons, launched on July 7, 2009 to ensure the appreciation, protection, development and promotion of Barbados' music as a national resource and its participants as vital assets. The Foundation is designed to assist in the financing of the musical education, training and professional development of young musicians and other artists, while enhancing their long-term social well-being. Such education and training will be undertaken through an ongoing series of scholarships, grants, workshops, seminars and other opportunities in Barbados and abroad.

The first annual Coscap Foundation Award of Excellence will be presented that night by the Prime Minister to the MerryMen in recognition and appreciation of their contribution to music and culture locally and internationally and their example of showing how to make your music into a successful business by creating their own brand through unique image and sound, publishing, licensing and owning their own studio and label.

The MerryMen performing at Speightstown in 2006.

More on COSCAP Gala:

Saluting The MerryMen

Who Is Mistral Baldeo?