Artist Directory – 2022

Search by Country Puerto Rico

Theme Culture

Gender Woman

Ada del Pilar Ortiz

Puerto Rico

Ada del Pilar Ortiz received her bachelor's degree with a concentration in Painting at the School of Fine Arts and Design of Puerto Rico in 2018. Her work has been presented in various spaces such as the Arsenal de la Puntilla ICP Museum, KM 0.2, Liga de Arte de San Juan, Área: Lugar de Proyectos, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Puerto Rico and the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center in New York. She has participated in residencies including Área: Residency Program (2019), “La Práctica” at Beta Local (2019), and will soon be participating in The Studios at MASS MoCA, Puerto Rican Artist Fellowship residency (2022). She recently completed an artistic commission for the Museum of Contemporary Art of Puerto Rico under the “MAC en el Barrio '' program titled “Treinta años en un día” (Thirty years in one day), a community based site-specific installation . Her work has been supported by the Foundation of Contemporary Arts. Ada currently lives and works in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Search by Country Trinidad & Tobago

Adrian Young

"Daddy Jumbie" - Trinidad & Tobago

Adrian Young, founder of one of the leading Moko Jumbie groups in Trinidad and Tobago called Future Jumbies, is an internationally-known stiltdancer and performer. With over 23 years of experience in the performing arts, his focus is teaching young people in Trinidad and Tobago. Adrian incorporates a fusion of dance techniques from different cultures, with traditional ones rooted in Trinidad and Tobago.
In 2007, Adrian Young travelled to Cuba with the Prime Minister, the Honourable Patrick Manning, to celebrate the opening of the Trinidad and Tobago embassy. Later in 2009, Adrian participated in the 5th Summit of the Americas that was held in Port of Spain, Trinidad. That same year he was invited to take part in the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA). In 2012, marked Adrian’s first performance on “The Big Stage” of the Senior Kings and Queens of Carnival 2009 — placing 4thin the finals, with his portrayal of “The Crow” designed by Alan Vaughan.
His accomplishments landed him an overseas job with the Universoul Circus, where he performed in cities across the United States for 3 years.
In early 2016, Adrian Young founded the junior Moko Jumbie group Future Jumbies, in the community of Tarodale Hills. That year, Future Jumbies participated in their first regional Carnival competition in Gasparillo, where they placed 1st in the Traditional Monday Night Mas. With Adrian also placing 1st in the Traditional Individuals competition. In August 2016, he travelled to the United Kingdom (UK), where he taught stiltwalking at the Elimu Carnival Band Moko Jumbie workshop. He also had the opportunity to perform with the band at Notting Hill Carnival in London.
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On his return to Trinidad, in 2016, he was granted the opportunity to teach a Stiltwalking Master Workshop at Funtopia Youth Intiative on the island of St. Maartin.
As bandleader with the senior Moko Jumbie group Touch D Sky, Adrian Young portrayed "Shango" at the Senior Kings and Queens of Carnival 2017. Later that year he travelled back to the United Kingdom where he participated in two major performance-based research and developement projects: “The Isle Is Full of Noises” by Touch D Sky and “My Knowledge Increase, My Memories Reflect” by Gateway Studio Projects in Gateshead, UK.
Returning from the UK, Adrian Young was contacted to have the senior Moko Jumbie group Touch D Sky be featured on The New York Times series titled, “Dance in the Real World”.
In 2018, Adrian Young was the first bandleader of the Moko Jumbie band Moko Somõkõw. That year he portrayed "Sundjata, The Lion King of Mali" where he placed 9thin the finals at the Senior Kings and Queens of Carnival 2018. During that Carnival season Adrian Young was contacted to have the junior group Future Jumbies be featured on CNN’s Great Big Story — which has now been viewed online over 8 million times.
In 2019, bandleader Adrian Young departed from Moko Somõkõw to focus on his group Future Jumbies. He debuted his own costume designs at the Senior Kings and Queens of Carnival 2019, where he portrayed "Ekundayo The Eagle".
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2020 was exciting for Adrian Young, as he created the crowd`s favourite puppeteer costume entitled “Daddy Jumbie/Papa Jumbie” which placed 5th at the Senior Kings and Queens of Carnival 2020 in the Queens Park Savannah.
Since 2021, he has collaborated several times with US-based dj Adam Cooper aka Foreigner for his live stream event, Carnival Tabanca. In addition he was awarded a
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special honour by the Ministory of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, for his outstanding contribution to culture.

Search by Country Jamaica

Theme Culture, Climate Justice, Human Rights

Gender Man

Aeon Chintersingh

"AC" - Jamaica

My inspiration to create unique characters in stories with which Caribbean children can relate came about when I was seven years old.
During this stage of my life, most of my childhood experiences were spent in the hospital than at home as I was diagnosed with the life-threatening illness, Sickle Cell disease, when I was one year and ten months old. So, televisions and videos were my constant companions as I was not able to experience the child-like freedom of ‘playing in the wind’, not even with my brother.
It was during one of the many episodes of sickle cell crisis that I realized it would be interesting for me to create stories and characters that would reflect issues that concerns myself and others, especially children; instead of these alienated characters and story lines that do connect with individuals like me, and specifically Caribbean children. As I grew, the tendency to change character traits and storylines followed me even out of various surgeries and rehabilitations’ periods. The concept was germinating.
Despite this debilitating disease, I tried to live a full life, albeit each experience was always punctuated by visits to the Sickle Cell Clinic, and hospitalizations. I cannot remember when I exist out of Art. From constantly drawing in classes since kindergarten, to sitting it as an extra subject outside my allotted eight CSEC subjects. Eventually, I enrolled in Enda Manley for the Visual Arts. I was not there long before I was invited to participate in an experimental treatment programme to better manage sickle cell disease. After that experience, I continued to chase my dream by attending Vocational Training Development Institute where studied Animation before launching Singh Studios.
As a character and storyboard artist, it is my desire to bridge the gap of our many segregated groups whether by class, culture, or ethnicity through relatable and engaging characters.

Search by Country Barbados

Ayana John

Barbados

Ayana John is a Reggae/Dancehall/Pop Recording Artiste and Songwriter from Barbados West Indies. Known for her local hits, Bajan Story, Guns ‘n Roses and Paper Chase which fuses elements of the Caribbean genres, Reggae and Pop Music, she refers to her personal musical style as ‘a Caribbean feel with pop appeal’. She has just won the award for Best Reggae Singer in November 2020 by The Lady Flava Radio Network Awards in Connecticut USA.
For the past decade, dynamic vocals, choreography and energy have become a signature of her live shows. O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Reggae on the Hill, Nottingham Carnival, MIDEM, NACA and SxSW are just a few of the stages upon which Ayana John has performed with audiences in excess of 15,000 patrons. Displaying a modelesque physique, Ayana has attracted Barbadian designers such as Nefertari, Pauline Bellamy and Lucy Lui to model their designs on stages and red carpets. As a former Ms Barbados Bikini and 1st runner up Ms Barbados Universe, a passion for fashion and stage preexisted before the music.
Holding a Bsc. in Pure Mathematics from The University of The West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, an MBA from UNICAF University, a Diploma in Popular Music Practice from The University of West London alongside a certificate in Copyright Law from Harvard Law School. Ayana explains that it was her mother’s wish for her children to all graduate from University. She states that she made a promise to her mother that while pursuing a career in music that she would at least complete her Bachelor’s. Ayana notes that her academic experiences have gifted her with the knowledge of time management and its importance to her personal and professional life.
Ayana seeks to create musical connections beyond The Caribbean because she acknowledges that there is potential for major growth of her brand in territories such as the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Africa and the United States. One major step towards realizing this growth is the musical collaboration with Swedish producer Tom Banfield on the Top Floor Remix and the official music video for the songs Cash Flow and Rockin Wit U produced by AndyM.
Since Rihanna, the presence of Barbadian musical acts on the international music charts has been lacklustre; Ayana hopes to revive that Bajan presence. With the official release of her new album, Breezin', scheduled for June 20, 2021, the singles, Akshun & Akshun Summer are the official singles off the project. A music video for Akshun Summer will be released on June 15, 2021. The goal is to make a significant crossover to the musical mainstream with a strong sense of Caribbean identity. Ayana sees her music on the Billboard Hot 100 and collecting a Grammy someday for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Record of the Year and Album of the Year. The sky is the limit!

Search by Country Guadeloupe

Cédric Calvados

"Cédrick-Isham" - Guadeloupe

In 1998, Cédrick-Isham, with a shy childhood and long complexed by his stutter, discovered rap. It is above all an opportunity for him to overcome his shyness and put words to what he feels or what he sees. A first experience as a freelancer at France-Antilles (Martinique), in 2004, fortuitously brought him closer to photography. In 2009, he acquired his first camera, learned on his own and sought his first advice from two photographers whose work he appreciated: Charles Chulem and Daniel Goudrouffe.
His photographic work took a real turn in 2013, through a project launched on social networks and entitled: "La Guadeloupe, mon visage". He chooses to approach the subjects through tight portraits which are for him a way of overcoming the rejection of himself, his own image and the fear of the gaze of the other. That same year, he made a documentary, titled "Ombres", in which he highlighted the reality of drug addicts who are homeless.
Subsequently, he participated in several exhibitions, developed his vision and his photographic writing, imprinted with human poetry and nourished by his biases. Sensitive to the frame and the movements within it, he is constantly in search of the ephemeral harmonies that "the moment" stages. “I believe that people are interconnected by invisible energy flows and I like to believe that with photography you can see them. That's why I try to compose my images in a way that connects people."
Today, some describe him as a portrait painter, but he sees himself above all as a committed essayist and participant in his time. Since 2018, his travels to Cameroon and Haiti have led him to question the issue of resilience. At the same time, since 2019, he has been working on Guadeloupean identity, aware of the importance of addressing this issue which he considers urgent. Convinced that his camera is an extension of his personality, it is as an attentive observer that he casts a gaze mixing poetry, gentleness and realism on the souls as well as the identities that surround him.

Search by Country Saint Lucia

Danielle Du Bois

"Dramacan Talent House " - St. Lucia

Danielle Ayala Du Bois was born on July 20, 1991, in Saint Lucia to Trinidadian parents, Michael and Sharon Du Bois. She is the second of her parents’ four children. After leaving the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, she taught at St. Joseph’s Convent (SJC) from 2010 to 2012 before attending Teachers’ Training College from 2012 to 2014 and later returning to teach at SJC in 2014 where she remained until September 2019.
Before teaching, Danielle enjoyed performing on stage. In 2005, while she was a Form Two student at the Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School, she played the lead role in Mac Donald Dixon’s play, Tinday. She would go on to feature in several other theatrical productions and has worked extensively with fellow playwright/director, Drenia Frederick, from whom she has received guidance and encouragement over the years.
As a Theatre Arts teacher at St. Joseph’s Convent, Du Bois led several initiatives to promote the subject of theatre arts. In 2017, one of her students topped the island in Theatre Arts at the CSEC level and placed second in the Region. Du Bois conceptualized and oversaw the production of Two Nights of Caribbean Drama from 2015 - 2019. She also directed and managed the SJC theatre group that represented Saint Lucia at the Caribbean Secondary Schools Drama Festival. In 2015, the students captured awards for Best Actress and Most Promising Actress.
Du Bois has over a decade of experience in creative project management, theatrical directing, communications, and teaching. Having created a proven track record of excellence both nationally and regionally from project management to artiste and talent management, now seeking opportunities that offer growth and development for others.
She holds a Certificate for Theatre Arts in Education from the University of the West Indies Open Campus (St. Lucia), 2011; a Certificate in Introduction to Events Management from the University of the West Indies Open Campus (St. Lucia), 2011; and an Associate’s Degree in Education, with specialization in Social Studies and Principles of Business, from the Joint Board of Teacher Education – University of the West Indies (St. Lucia), 2012.
In 2017, Du Bois formed Dramacan, of which she is the Founding Artistic Director. Dramacan trains young people in the art of performance drama, writing creative pieces for special occasions, community and national pageants, and provides production management and event management services.
In late 2020, Dramacan staged the theatrical production, The Gros Pwel Rehabilitation Centre, which was produced by the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF). A sequel to this production is currently in the works for the Nobel Laureate Festival January 2022.
Today Dramacan has been rebranded to Dramacan Talent House to capture the holistic essence of theatre, collaboration and expression. From October 2019 to June 2021, she worked as the Communications Officer in the Office of the Prime Minister. Since August 2021, Du Bois has
been employed as an Information Officer in the Communications Unit of the Ministry of Education. Du Bois’s work in the arts has taken her to Africa, Grenada and Jamaica.

Search by Country Trinidad & Tobago

Devon Samuel

"Prophet Benjamin" - Trinidad & Tobago

Prophet Benjamin represents a force of one energy—one creative and dynamic voice with unrelenting charisma.

Influence by his irrepressible and magnetic personality, in his teens, the nickname coined by his friends had stuck, Prophet Benjamin. The second son of his parents, who lived in New Lands, Point Fortin, Trinidad, had unconsciously activated an internal force to reach the world from his humble beginnings. The Prophet as he is sometimes called his early claim to obvious talents came from self-recognition of his innate abilities to find the right words, the right melodies and just the right amount of captivating showmanship to announce his career choice: A devoted and courageous entertainer.

And at age 17, The Prophet had sealed an expressive relationship with his first music genre, Reggae. In as little as two years, as part of a group of vocalist, Black Star Original, in a small studio in Bournes Road, St James, Prophet Benjamin wrote, composed, and recorded his first reggae song, Babylon Fooling.

At age 21, Prophet Benjamin felt a need to harvest from his metaphysical garden, choosing the order of Bobo Shanti to express his spiritual and religious convictions. Toiling through life while establishing his presence as a formidable artist, with bold originality and a revolutionary, grassroots style, The Prophet is unapologetically controversial at times.

For the first time, The Prophet joined Trinidad and Tobago’s best, at the 2012 Soca Monarch with ‘Throw Wine’, which won him the 4th prize. Back to his roots, in 2018, The Prophet and his music earned the recognition of The Urban Music Awards in the category of Best Reggae Artist.

The people—his loyal fans at home, and those in the rest of the Caribbean islands, North America, and Europe, know and love his catalogue: “Pretty Boy”, taking him to the number one spot in Trinidad’s Genesis Countdown for some 5 weeks. And the list goes on with songs like Coming From Moruga. Usual Suspect. Delilah, Field Ah Weed. Saving All Your Love. Love is Love. Pension Plan and Stop

Search by Country Jamaica

Emani Edwards

"Emani Emanithegenderlessstylist" - Jamaica

I was granted a gift with an Artist vision, for style and fashion. I took an interest in Activism, and through my work with marginalized groups, and being a Trans Woman, living in Jamaica, I have learned that my work can take a different course into greatness. My style and fashion now speak from a place of protest. My fashion and style speak loudly, as I represent the visible population of Transgender people living in Jamaica. I wanted to combine my interest in fashion with my desire to do something positive for trans people.

I use my creative direction as a stylist to express who I am and how I want to live my life. I use my work to give visibility to marginalised groups, including the trans, non-binary and LGBT communities. I recruit trans, non-binary and LGBT creatives as much as possible – hairdressers, makeup artists, photographers, etc. I want to give them a platform to show their talents, and an opportunity to progress their careers. I also got the opportunity to work with Producer Nadean Rawlins and Multi-disciplinary artist Maylnne Lowe a short film about an abuse non-binary child and their plight for acceptance and redemption. I have also collaborated with Outburstqueerarts, EL ALO Cover Model, Member of creative directing team For TransWaveJA Gender Freedom Fashion Show 2.0, Fashion in the IFLE VAPA Program, Member of the StillWalking performance UKjamaicafair, Co-style the Cover of Beyond Homophobia Centring LGBTQIA+ Experience in the Anglophone Caribbean, I_D Magazine feature My Guid to self Isolation, MQBMBQ THE JOURNAL, Smashed a Look with the CLIFFORDJAGO Challenge for DAZEDFASHION, BLOGGER FOR 2016, EqualityJA Creative of Year Award 2020, features by British Council, British Council Arts, British Council NL, Creatingaspace, belfastdesignwk, Artist Alex Mein, VOGUE MAGAZINE feature “Meet the DIY Start of #VogueCouchCoutre Challenge, Jpgaulterofficial #AtHomeWithGaultier, JASL, CONNEKJA, QUEER SPOTLIGHT FEATURE ON EMANI EqualityJA, panelist on challenges and opportunities for building LGBTQIA+ inclusive and Resilient Societies With the World Bank, TransCreativeUK, feature in TheVoicenewspaper Britain’s only National newspaper, brbritish feature, Manchester EveningNews in the UK, Marinaburnel, Lucakhouri, Amanda Taylor, Mandla rae, Guest Panelist at the AGM of an Organization called Queer Student in Education and Culture (QSEC), Homemcr feature, Canvasrepresents Features my work, DAZED MAGAZINE WINTER 21 8 pages featured, and collaboration with Amanda Taylor the project will be about Mental Health + body Justice and all Black Lives Matter.

Search by Country Jamaica

Fabian Barracks

"Barracks Entertainment " - Jamaica

Fabian Barracks is a prolific, award-winning Jamaican playwright, director and producer who has written and produced ten commercial productions. He is passionate about youth development and focuses on producing plays that explore some critical themes affecting young people, and by extension the family.

His achievements include winning Actor Boy Awards for Best Children’s Play and Best Comedy, as well as Youth View Awards for Favourite Local Theatre Play. His 2018 production Black Sheep received ten Actor Boy Award nominations including: Best Production, Best New Jamaican Play and Best Children’s Theatre.

Barracks is also a philanthropist who serves as the chairman for a charitable organization known for making generous donations to students living in vulnerable communities across Jamaica.

An alum of the Wolmer’s Boys’ School and graduate of the University of the West Indies, he did undergraduate studies in Entertainment and Cultural Enterprise Management and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in leadership in Education from the Liverpool John Moores University in UK to strengthen his work in empowering youth through theatre arts.

Through his company Barracks Entertainment Productions which was established in 2010, and The Barracks Theatre which opened in 2019, he has provided a supportive arts and education space that is a hub for young creatives. This way, he continues to stay true to his vision of bringing out the best in youth through the arts, while nurturing young talents and contributing to the cultural landsape through the production of quality theatre.

Since COVID-19 Pandemic, Barracks has launched a publication of three of his most popular plays in a book called Caribbean Plays for Modern Youth with hopes of his work being added to the CSEC Literatures in English and Theatre Arts syllabus. The production company has also pivoted from live theatre and has produced a highly popular YouTube series, Balla which has garnered a reach of over 300,000 youth across the island and in the Diaspora.

Search by Country Curaçao

Francis Sling

Curaçao

You know what? I’m gonna write my own biography and let someone check it for me. Just to let them see where I might have been unclear, check my phrases, revise the grammar and stuff like that, you know?
Because I’m not very good at that myself.
I’ve known since MAVO (middle school) and then in HAVO (high school) it was confirmed that, not only am I not good at these things, but the worst part is that I’m not even interested in changing it.
Hahaha oh boy…the editor will probably remove that part during corrections. If you are reading about it right now, it’s because I convinced them to just leave it in. In the end it’s my bio…
And it’s true.
That stuff about reading 10 books in Dutch, Spanish and English was really too much for me. It was too boring, and therefore too difficult. I wish there were audiobooks back then… My solution was to pay someone else to tell me what the book was about. After that I also made sure I read a couple of summaries about the book in question, then I went and gave this whole performance in front of the teacher.
The funny part about this whole thing was, I didn’t see it as a failure. I rather considered it to be a fascinating challenge; to perform good enough so the teacher would think I read the book. I wonder how many people would’ve gotten good grades if the teacher had graded them based on their interpretation, performance and philosophy of a book they did not read…and all this, presented in a language they didn’t even master that well. I think this was sort of my debut in theatrical art, too bad it wasn’t what school was looking for.
Not always... but, I succeeded in this many times.
Today I’m 41 years old..and I still use this exact same method sometimes. Alright, that was actually my biography. It looks exactly like my paint-stained clothing. I think it’s a beautiful metaphor.
This is good for now.
Below I’ll insert a couple of bullet points about highlight moments in my life.. I’ll make sure I write a longer biography some other day, ok?
Francis Victor Sling // Born in Curaçao in 1979 // Multi-year plan in MAVO (middle school) // Search for the truth, search for the truth… gave my life to God and became a Christian // Multi year plan in HAVO (high school), got tired and bald // Went to Holland in the year 2000 to study something that suited me better // Got my diploma in graphic designing in 2004 // Got married and had 2 kids // Made graphic designing my profession // One of my children passed away and I got divorced // Lived a total of 18 years in the cold (Holland) // Came back to my island in 2018 // Continued to look for the truth // My concept of God became bigger, so I couldn’t only be a Christian // I still believe I am a missionary of God // Did art on the side // Now we can eat from me doing only art.
Recently one of the many tourist guides that frequently visit my gallery said something I consider to be one of my biggest achievements so far. He said, “Francis, I’m happy when I come by and I see your gallery open… because every time I bring tourists here, they always leave happy.” The fact that, I, being so small, from such a small island, with such small abilities can attract people from the whole world and leave them with a smile in a world with so many difficulties…is pure gold for me.
Anyway, this is all for now.
You can contact my manager for additional information hahahh
Or just hit me up on my social media.

Search by Country Jamaica

Jackie Jackson

"JAX" - Jamaica

Passionate, innovative and result oriented are just a few words that describes Jackie Jacqueline Jackson, an integrity driven ideator who offers over 15 years of strategic intellection and media production experience. The quick-witted television producer has an unrelenting love affair with communication, multimedia and the arts, and is guided by the mantra “one should strive for excellence at all times, as mediocrity is the complacency of low minds”. She proudly holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication (with a specialization in Television) and a minor in Philosophy from the University of the West Indies, Mona.

In 2008, she commenced her career as a producer for Television Jamaica (TVJ), the leading broadcasting house in Jamaica. She then went on to attain a Master of Arts in Media Arts at Long Island University in New York (with a concentration in multimedia creation coupled with media management and a specialization in film, video and television production). Jackie, who is affectionately called ‘JAX’ amassed her years of experience at distinguished media companies locally and internationally. She has worked with major media houses such as RJR Gleaner Group, Geejam Media, BET – 106 & PARK, Comedy Central – The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, Revolt TV, Story Culture, ISH and Back Roads Entertainment, inter alia.

Jax’ journey of creating an ideation company started at the beginning of 2020, when she intentionally asseverated what the next 10 years of her life would be as a multimedia professional. That self-analysis instantaneously ignited a creative freedom of independence and ownership that all ideators seek. Consequently, the mentation, conceptualization and birth of both Ideate That Ltd (her company) and Psychology of… (her TV Show) were synchronously produced & reified. What’s next for this powerhouse of a woman? Not to worry, she’ll ideatethat too!

Search by Country Jamaica

Jahdiel Allen

Jamaica

Illustrator and Graphic Designer, Jahdiel Allen lives and works in Kingston, Jamaica. Having always been fairy reticent, Jahdiel Allen, in their childhood found the idea of creative expression fascinating. The interest was cultivated during their teenage years and expanded with their pursuit of a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts in Visual Communication. The concept of Digital Illustration and Graphic Design, as areas of focus, was foreign to Allen prior to attending the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, however their continued practice allowed for an integration of illustration and design as well as a familiarizing with them as independent areas of visual communication.
Allen’s work for the past few years housed creative projects mainly consisting of custom designs and commissions. Jahdiel Allen has explored the fields of storytelling through comic composition in addition to fictional character illustration. Their most recent works give insight into Queer black representation highlighting contexts of identity, orientation, romancticism and Love.

Artist Statement
The art I produce is a representation of my development as both an individual and an artist. In the initial stages of my practice, my work featured landscape paintings done in acrylic and/or oil paint. Since then, my art has been heavily influenced by a processing and response to the feelings and emotions of my experiences or a particular state of mind. Art serves as the most effective form of self-expression and overcoming consistent issues related to my psychological health. I use colour and composition as elemented and symbolic representation of topics that are typically deemed political or controversial, and a few are based in cultural and societal influences. The sensitivity surrounding my art is parallel to the sensitivity of my vulnerability in identification as a queer, non-binary Jamaican artist. My work is produced to create a unique visual effect and to communicate through this. It is intended for the viewer to feel, provoking some form of thought regardless of whether the context is agreed with or not.

Search by Country Dominican Republic

James Alquintor

Dominican Republic

Actor, comedian, narrator, model, and photography enthusiast James Alquintor was born in Port-au Prince on January 8, 1989, to merchant parents. James has always had a weakness for art, painting since he was a child, but his true love has always been the performing arts. He had to put his passion aside at some time in order to aid his mother, as he had not had an easy childhood. It wasn't until 2015 that he decided to pursue his so-called passion and turn it into a career. He began his studies in the Dramatic Arts section of the National School of Arts, ENARTS, in the autumn of 2015. During the 13th edition of the Festival 4 chemins, he took workshops on artistic creation with Productions Menuentakuan du Canada. In March 2017, the ENARTS closed its doors following repeated demonstrations by graduating students of the said institution, but he nevertheless pursued his dream as an actor. In "Le Père," a piece by Guy Régis Jr., he plays the "older brother" during the XIVth edition of the Festival 4 chemins. In February of this year. On the invitation of ADRECE, he took part in an ethno workshop drama in April 2018. Damien Trapletti and Pietro Varrasso. He played Lulu and Frantz in the show Erzuli Dahomey at the Quatre chemins festival in November 2018. In March and April of this year, He took part in a national theater-forum tour to raise awareness about sexual exploitation and abuse in communities. He created Kwonik k vid, a mix of text, photographs, and sounds, in April 2020 to raise public awareness of the epidemic by narrating his daily existence in a major city. He took part in a reading debate on Eugène Ionesco's "Jeux de carnage" held by the Focal under the supervision of Michelle Lemoine in July 2020. After being cast in FREDA, a film directed by Gessica Geneus that was selected for the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, he was accepted. He will perform Viris de pye vyolan at the Casa de Espana in Dominican Republic on August 6, 2021.

Search by Country Trinidad & Tobago

Keishaun Julien

Trinidad & Tobago

Keishaun Julien is a steelpan musician that hails from the island of Tobago and has traveled throughout the world sharing his talent. Keishaun has established his brand as a steelpan entertainer and digital entrepreneur and is currently the 2021 NLCB PanoGrama winner. Keishaun was introduced to the steelpan in the year 4 1/2 years old; however, his journey as a professional steelpan musician began at the age of 10 while being a member of the Our Boys Steel Orchestra. During his early years at Our Boys, he was mentored by Leeandro Noray who was responsible for harnessing his improvisational abilities on the instrument. Keishaun went on to partake in several competitions during his early years as a soloist including National Junior Steelband Music Festival, Baker’s Scouting for Talent and Children’s, Showcase just to name a few. After placing 4th in 2020 PanoGrama competition, Keishaun returned in 2021 capturing the top spot defeating pannists from all over the world.
Apart from performing locally, Keishaun enjoys traveling and sharing his talent on the National Instrument with the world. Mr. Julien has represented Trinidad and Tobago in countries such as Belgium, Canada, France, Mexico, Japan, and the United States to name a few. Keishaun also has an international reach via his Youtube channel which has approximately 16,000 subscribers and over 3 million cumulative views on his steelpan covers. His ability to create a such stable Youtube fanbase is something that very few steelpan musicians have been able to accomplish. In 2019, Keishaun graduated from the University of the West Indies with a BA in Musical Arts and went on to co-arrange for Alpha Pan Pioneers for the 2020 Panorama Competition. Apart from performing and arranging, Keishaun also offers online steelpan lessons and has an international student reach. Some of Keishaun’s musical influences within the steelpan fraternity include Duvone Stewart, Ken “Professor” Philmore, Liam Teague and Len “Boogsie” Sharpe to name a few.

Search by Country Puerto Rico

Kenneth Melendez

"Kenny" - Puerto Rico

Kenneth nace y es criado en los estados unidos hasta los siete años. De padres Puertorriqueños es el mayor de Siete hermanos. Estudio sus primeros grados en New York y New Jersey. Sus padres se establecen en Ponce a mediados de los 70’s, donde Kenneth sigue sus estudios primarios y secundarios. A mediados de los 80’s la familia de Kenneth deciden mudarse de nuevo hacia los Estados Unidos. Kenneth Termina sus estudios intermedia, y superior en las escuelas del pueblo de Lorain, Ohio. Sigue sus estudios en el Lorain county community collage concentración en dibujos industriales. Al principio de los 90’s Kenneth quiere conocer mas sobre su cultura Puertorriqueña y decide mudarse y estudiar los ritmos de bomba, la plena y la fabricación de las máscaras de Vejigante.

Su carrera musical comenzó al finalizar los 80's. A la edad de diez ya tocaba percusión. Aprendió a tocar música observando y imitando a su artistas favoritos. Estudio música en la Escuela de bellas artes de Ponce, Puerto Rico. Hoy él toca diferentes tipos de instrumentos de percusión.
Regreso a Puerto Rico y sigue estando, muy activo en la escena musical y artística. Grabó con las principales bandas de salsa y grupos folklóricos de Puerto Rico, y colaboró con grupos que recibieron nominaciones al Grammy por sus grabaciones. En 2006, firmó con la compañía de percusión "Remo" y en el 2019 con Toca percusion. Ha tocado con varios grupos latinos como La Terrifica, Conjunto la Perla, Plena y Bembe, Los Pleneros del Barrio, Los Calvos Jazz, la banda de Roberto Ocasio Jazz, Jibarro Jazz de Pedrito Guzman, Orquesta La Solucion, y ahora está tocando para Monty y el Truko de Seis, el Conjunto Chaney (una exitosa banda musical de salsa puertorriqueña que ha estado en la industria durante los últimos 40 años) y La Familia Sanabria (un reconocido grupo de música folklórica de Puerto Rico, donde Kenneth ha sido un miembro importante durante los últimos 15 años). A Compartido tarima con artistas nacionales tales como Plenarium, Tommy Olivecia, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Víctor Manuel, Andrés Jiménez, Joseph Fonseca, Eddie Palmieri, Samuel Hernández, Plena Libre, Olga Tañon, Grupo Manía, Kao’s, Andy Montañés, Sonora Ponceña y Otros.
Como Artesano Kenneth le gusta crear máscaras tradicionales con diferente material como: saco, coco, madera, tiguero, cartón piedra, higüera, foam, plástico, y el alambre. ha exhibido sus Trabajos de arte en el; museo McDonough Youngstown, Ohio; la galería de Esqueleto Oberlin, Ohio; Lorain County Community College gallery, Ohio; la galería del jazz San Fransico, California; American History museum Smithsonian, Washington, D. C.; museo de arte Ponce, Puerto Rico; para mencionar algunos.

Kenneth enseña y promueve arduamente sus conocimiento del arte y de música a escuelas, organizaciones, universidades, y comunidades especiales patrocinado por clientes tales como Asociación de Arte de Ohio Latino Arts, el Instituto de Cultura de Puerto Rico, la compañía de turismo de Puerto Rico, Fomento Industrial Desarrollo Artesanal de Puerto Rico. Consejo de Educación de Lorain Ohio, Consejo de Educación de Chicago, Latino fest. Wisconsin Milwaukee, Julia De Burgos Cleveland Ohio, Parques Recreativos en Columbus Ohio. Su énfasis se dirige especialmente hacia el arte y la música. Ahora, Kenneth enseña a niños, jóvenes y adultos la importancia de su cultural Puertorriqueña. Viaja a los Estados Unidos, Europa, y El Caribe con su taller de Máscaras y Ritmos.

Search by Country Trinidad & Tobago

Krystle Bascombe

Trinidad & Tobago

The old adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” is quite applicable when the name Krystle Bascombe is mentioned. This native of Trinidad and Tobago has an impressive 20-year record as one the most sought-after drummers and percussionists from her country and region.
It is no secret that women in her field are uncommon, therefore she uses this along with her talents to pursue her passion. Krystle is a self-taught drummer and began experimenting on honing her craft at the age of six. As she grew into adulthood, her desire to excel also grew with her. Eventually, Krystle became a fulltime session musician and has been for 12 years. She has performed and shared stages with numerous musical acts, namely George Benson, Chevelle Franklin, Beenie Man, Shaggy, Machel Montano, Donnie Mc Clurkin, Morgan Heritage, Israel Haughton, Tye Tribbett, Kerwin Du Bois, Yolanda Adams, Isaac Blackman & Love Circle, Nehilet Blackman & All Girls Band and Al Jarreau, to name a few.
The names mentioned prior paints a clear picture of Krystle’s versatility. She is skilled in various genres such as Gospel, Soca, Reggae, R&B, Latin, Jazz, Rock, Funk and Pop. Her knack for drumming was merged with her love for education. Krystle majored in Popular Music & Drum Performance at the Tech Music School, London. Her studies afforded her priceless opportunities to sit in masterclasses with legendary drummers such as Heracio "El Negro" Hernandez, Dennis Chambers, Dom Famularo, Cindy Blackman Santana and Billy Cobham. She also obtained her Masters Certificate in Music Business Management from Berklee College of Music.
Currently a drummer for Cirque Du Soleil's newest Arena touring ice show "Axel", Krystle brings high energy to every stage she graces. She has quite a number of notable achievements which are usually shared on a need to know basis. Krystle has conducted drum workshops in Ghana, UAE, and London, educating students and musicians on Popular Music Performance as well as Trinidad and Tobago’s Culture and Genre; Soca. Her inclination for teaching and inclusion of her culture has quite often been recognized. In 2008, she was awarded “Most Outstanding Student” for her dedication and effort in introducing T&T’s Music (Soca) as a genre to the school. Later on in 2012, Krystle was also the recipient of the “Excellence in Entertainment & Culture Award” presented by Karibbean Expressions Magazine in Hollywood, California.

Her love for drums and percussion is undeniable. Even on what many would consider difficult days or complex tasks, Krystle smiles. Her enthusiasm to accept any challenge is astounding. One such challenge was working on the show creation as drummer/percussionist for "Spectra's Cabaret" alongside Moment Factory.

With her pair of hands, drumsticks and love for music, Krystle will continue leaving her mark all over the world.

Search by Country Jamaica

Lionel Bernard

'Inspiyah' - Jamaica

In 1963 a composer and music lecturer once asserted that, “This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.” Fast forward to 2022 and “Inspiyah” by name of Lionel Bernard has decided to use music to create a more potent call to action: “What Are You Standing For” and “Lets Join Hearts”. These are the latest motivational project from the mid-30’s newcomer, applying a dancehall/reggae fusion with a trademark message of empowerment and progression, the difference that this current generation needs.

Born and raised in the capital city of Kingston, in a Christian setting, a college degree was attained in the field of Hospital and Tourism Management. The foray into the making of music has both a professional and recreational background: since his early years singing and playing instruments at primary school to more recently whilst working as a producer at Newstalk 93FM. This led to acquiring the skills to play the guitar, the saxophone, and myriad instruments on his own. Since 2020 his ventures in the Entertainment field have included video and audio directing and editing as well as event production.

Delving into promotion and social media realms added the technical skills necessary to make this young performer an anomaly: an artiste that is trained, experienced in the business side of things and talented, a trifecta in our local Creative and Cultural industry. Exhibiting the dedication needed to make it in this industry, Inspiyah maintains a full-time job in the Information Technology arena whilst carefully honing his craft, promoting his brand and designing his ascent to the likes of his own inspirations such as Bob Marley, Agent Sasco and Chronixx.

Future projects that the world needs to hear from this artiste will be well received in this time of global health uncertainty. Positivity is his key, and this is evident in the continuing buzz from the recent reggae single ‘Melanin’, celebrating the skin that one is born in. In these times lovers of our culture will need to be truly inspired and Inspiyah is here to answer that call.

For bookings: inspiyahmusic@gmail.com

Search by Country Jamaica

Lisa Leach

'Lisa Lej' - Jamaica

Lisa Lej

Founder

Philanthropic Visual Poetry Performance Artist

Healer and Visionaire

Sustainable Vacation Art for Social Enterprising

Art is Healing

Art is a universal language that helps bring people together and I use art to find solutions to our social, environmental, and economic issues. This is my life and dream which I have been pursuing in various ways over the years. I was born knowing my path in this word, thanks to divinity for lighting the way through out my childhood dreams. I have been giving back to the community since I was 14 via various charity organizations and today as I write to you I am celebrating 13 years of service. Some times I think to myself, OMG I can’t believe it. One thing I can say is that we must be very conscious of the life we expose our children to and the things we practice because it becomes very hard to drop old habits. Hahaha!

I was always a very sensitive child growing up with extremely high sensitivity to the world around me including the emotions of others. I think sometimes that I feel their emotions more intensely then they actually do (if that makes sense). I am only happy if the person next to me is happy and of course I do experience the opposite if they are experiencing it.

Let’s share happiness!

Empathy gives us insights into other’s lives enabling us to understand what they are going through in order to help them and I must say, boy-o- boy, do have quite a lot and I believe that this is the drive behind my work.

I am not the person to sit and talk about the same problem over and over forever because doing that hurts like needles poking me in the eye ball. I am one who will shut up and act towards developing a solution, even if I fail one hundred times, I will make it my destiny to succeed in creating the change that is necessary for a brighter tomorrow.

Henna Art has been my tool for centering and aligning my mind, body and spirit with the souls of the universe. It is quite relaxing and takes a meditative process to create a complete design. Henna is way much more than the stain she leaves behind for the smell and the cool tingling sensation are just captivating and uplifting for the spirit. This is my oneness with divinity and I am quite ecstatic to share this passion with others.

My dream is to see my country become sustainable and improve dramatically (in her society, ecology and economy) to the point where we can help other Caribbean and or developing countries, which is a responsibility for every country based on the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

Life is not a destination it is a journey.

Selah!

Lisa Lej

Search by Country Dominican Republic

Marie Francia Sterlin

'Choucoune' - Dominican Republic

Marie Francia Sterlin is a vocalist from Haiti. She began singing in her mother's parish choir at a young age. She proceeded to the National School of Arts after finishing her education, but she departed after her first year because the school had closed its doors. She discovered that Santo Domingo offered a Conservatory of Music in June 2017 and chose to enroll. She began studying Lyric Singing at the Conservatory in September 2017. She discovered her love for jazz in April 2017 and attempts to live her life based on her interest for both classical and jazz music. She is now completing her studies at the Conservatory and performs jazz concerts at restaurants and cultural centers in Santo Domingo.
Artist statement
In my country, I am one of the few academic singer-musicians. Being an artist is not a profession in Haiti; it cannot be learned at university, and there is no supervision. When I decided to become a musician, I knew it was more than just a job; it was a life goal. I struggled to find scores of Haitian music during my studies in the Dominican Republic, which put me in a difficult position.
My goal is to carry out this work of memory and recognition in order to pave the way for future generations. I am currently working on a platform that will house my research on the evolution of Haitian music; it will be available in March 2022. I want to spread the word about my country's music so that it can grow and be learned by people from other cultures.
During my research, I had the honor and pleasure of meeting extraordinary musicians and composers, and I believe it is unjust to ignore their contributions to our music. It's also unjust that our music's documentation isn't available to everyone.
As a result, we decided, in collaboration with several musicians, to take up several key and important classical themes and present them to young audiences in order to pique their interest in our musical heritage. Music has always been there for me through my illnesses and depressive episodes... I don't want to deprive others of that. Given the delicate situation in which my country is evolving, art is our
best hope because it allows us to find common ground and compromise for a better country with conscious and consistent citizens.

Search by Country Jamaica

Mark Robinson

'Sonn Ngai' - Jamaica

Sonn Ngai is an interdisciplinary mixed media artist who lives and works in St Thomas, Jamaica. He holds a BFA in Painting from Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts. He works in paint, printmaking, drawing and mixed media including collage and assemblage as well as film and digital illustration. He has exhibited his work as part of the 2019 Edna Manley final year showcase as well as the "Resonances" exhibition also in 2019.
As a self-proclaimed surrealist he subscribes to the notion that art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable. Art should act as a form of social intervention and critique. His work is inspired by notions of humanity and the human condition-how people respond to and interact with the reality of the world around them through their various behaviourisms, morals and values.
I'm interested in the way how we as self-aware individual entities are so 'cursed with freedom' as Sartre put it and the kind of surreal absurdity that this notion entails. How as human beings we have this rare sense of self that is unique to us as a species and the various idiosyncrasies we develop to cope with this sort of awareness of self, as entities who exist without any real say in whether we do or not.
My work acts as a collection of personal and collective critiques to the varying responses to being human we as a species engage in. Making reference to aspects of our collective cultural historicism with specific tonal attention given to my own Afrocentric roots. Being a black male in the Caribbean diaspora, being a minority in the Caribbean diaspora; being a double minority overall and just the general varied absurd circumstances one faces trying to navigate survival in a post-colonial 21st century Jamaica.
Through diverse and varied iconography, I attempt to construct a kind of mythologized pantheon of surrealist caricatures populating an imagined landscape. One which is very similar to our own but where we are completely absent and replaced by odd entities, strange and alien but with vaguely recognizable traits that make them seem unmistakably familiar to us as a people. Specifically us as black people and black diasporic peoples.
In this way, the work confronts us with a sort of black mirror (pun intended) of ourselves and our society by presenting them as darkly comical but equally self aware of the roles they play and the negative stereotypes they represent. The work thus allows for individuals to view their culture from an outside lens that opens the way for certain conversations and questions to be asked that may not otherwise have been given much thought.
By confronting people with this exaggerated but still equally realistic view of their own society this allows for them to view things in a different lens than what they are used to. It is my belief that this kind of willingness to be introspective and analytical of the self and one’s own environment will essentially lead to a greater development of each individual’s self-identity and the subsequent improvement of wider society as a whole.

Search by Country Jamaica

Michael Allen

'Indie Allen' - Jamaica

Indie Allen is a Jamaican recording artist on the rise, a soulful singer with a captivating falsetto, who is an experience itself when seen live. Indie Allen hails from Montego Bay, St James. The artist relocated to Kingston in 2011, where he began his professional music career after placing fourth in the Digicel Rising Stars. The feat catapulted Indie’s career. In 2018 the talented crooner had entered a new sphere following the release of his first single Catch a Fire, Indie Allen was among the cast of Club One New Releases, a Canadian televised series that highlights homegrown and Caribbean musicians. He also made his European debut at the renowned Reggae Geel Festival 40th Anniversary in Belgium the same year, a massive feat for a singer without a major label. Indie also graced the state of Best of the Best Miami in 2019, The largest Caribbean music festival in Florida. Taking his guitar to the stage, Indie never failed to give an enthralling performance.
Though he emerged as a soulful singer, Indie Allen reintroducing himself to a more diverse audience with his 2019 mixtape titled Indie me name. In 2020 the artist connected with the grass-root with his Single Keep it Real from the Divine Majesty Riddim. The track is a blend of Dancehall infused with Trap music, topped with a soulful Reggae flow. The artiste wishes not to be placed in a Box and wants to create music that represents the culture and sounds of Jamaica. “I now understood my purpose as a musician, being a singer and songwriter, and what it means to be a vessel with a message.”
Despite the setback experienced by the music industry in 2020, Indie Allen was nominated for Best Upcoming Artiste in the London base music awards Caribbean Afro Music Awards. The artist had released several singles such as Protected, Revelations, Suga Daddy, and Lose control with Chris Tijera, currently boasting over 2 million views on YouTube.
The artiste will be releasing his first track of 2021 following his hiatus title Wanted. The title and lyrics express the feelings and desire of being needed. The song is complemented by sensual visuals which convey the true essence of intimacy.
Indie Allen is not just a singer or performer. Indie Allen is undoubtedly an experience that will ultimately be shared by people from the four corners of the globe as he aspires to evoke positive changes.

Search by Country Dominica

Michael Omari Jackson

Dominica

M. Omari Jackson Bio & Artists Statement:
After completing my College Degree at Emerson College with a BSc in Mass Communications with an emphasis on film I returned to Jamaica and established a film production company, Sovereign City Entertainment. By the early 90's we were independently producing a landmark regional television series, Raceway. Raceway was the first television programme dedicated to featuring motorsports on a regional level and was broadcast in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and had a few episodes released in Barbados. We completed 2 full seasons of the programme.
In 2013, the company completed our first feature-film, Between Friends in Trinidad and Tobago. The film went on to be nominated to numerous awards on the film festival circuit and copped a win for Best Cinematography and one film festival event. The film was released in cinemas in Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas in 2016. The film has subsequently enjoyed public screenings and television broadcasts across the Caribbean region.
Since 2018, we have shifted our focus to assisting in establishing a viable, ethical and inclusive cannabis industry in Jamaica and across the Caribbean region. The original intention was to produce a documentary entitled, "Ganja, The Building of a Nation". Unfortunately, I quickly realised, there was a stark lack of information and education within and on the industry and that has become a significant hindrance to the progress of a viable and sustainable industry across the region. We set out to rectify this with the establishment of the website, www.ganjactivist.com.
Ganjactivist.com is the backbone for an informational resource and the foundation for a television series, The Ganja Project for broadcast in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. Production of the series ceased in 2020 with the advent of the pandemic with the nationwide lockdown and travel restrictions. Acknowledging the need to establish a Jamaican voice in the global legal cannabis industry dialogue, we pivoted to virtual events and created the Ganjactivist.com Cannabis Conference & Expo series.
We've held three editions of The Ganjactivist.com Cannabis Conference & Expo series and have included webinars and workshops to our event and media output. We had the intention of hosting our inaugural in-person event this March, however the on-going pandemic has thwarted this and we are upgrading our virtual event for 2022 and will be introducing the first-ever, Caribbean Cannabis Summit as a hybrid event in April, 2022.
While we still have every intention of producing the documentary, we continue to see the need to engage the Jamaican public through media and events. As such, in addition to our virtual and hybrid events for 2022, we will also be releasing the television series, The Ganja Project (working title) later this year. The pandemic has changed us, but not our vision for a prolific Jamaican and regional cannabis industry.

Search by Country Jamaica

Minori Russell

'Mini from da block' - Jamaica

She strives to be all that she dreams' is the mantra of this Jamaican native. Minori's music possesses a deep power & soul, her fusion of Reggae, Hip Hop, RNB and Dancehall, hits you to the core and plants a message of trial and triumph in your innermost parts. With a Japanese name that translates to "Beautiful Stream", an apt name for a singer tuned in a beautiful stream of consciousness that comes through her lyrics, sounds and vibrations.
MINORI brings a dynamic live show, her high energy, strong & uplifting presence, is balanced with an intimate soulful experience. A finalist the popular Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall the Jamaican D- Hop creative has been steady making strides graduating from the M.I.R ( Master's in Residence ) Program at the University of Technology in 2018 and has been steadily honing her craft as a performer, writer and recording artist. Minori was recently featured in the Fiwi Jamaica musical( "Forbidden Fruit ), a project which she Co-wrote and wrote several of the tracks for and was also featured as one of the main characters. Minori dubbed “mini from the block” has worked with the likes of Syl Gordon ,known for his work with International artist Shabba Ranks and has worked closely with the legendary Mikie Bennet.
Her recent Collaboration for single & Video RED PILL, saw her working with the creative team of renowned International/Australian Artist, Nattali Rize, and she is set to release her first single and video titled Red Pill, in 2020.
Minori is also one of the main writer’s for the Appleton Estate's Heart of Jamaica Album released in, 2019 where she is also a featured performer with a track featuring several prominent female artist called Phenomenal Woman. The Jamaican beauty in March 2019 released her single from the All female compilation Album Big Woman Tings a project by G.U.R.L.E.S Ltd and has been raking up quite the response and support both locally and internationally with her single "Pretty Girl" a track she refers to as medicine. Music is art and art is life” she frequently quoted saying and this is apparent in her lyrics and all the projects she is involved in.
One such is the Voices for Climate Change Education where she has not only dedicated her time but her voice and face as being one of the few Jamaican entertainers championing the Edutainment of Climate change, Climate adaptation and Climate resilience.
Despite the blow to the entertainment and performance industry she continues to make strides and in 2021 embarked on her first tour of the United States with Reggae sensation Nattali Rize and Rizenation and has been steadily racking up tones of support from the exposure she has gained.
In June,2021 Minori was featured on the track Fire Burning By Nattali Rize on the Victory Rock Riddim produced by Kabaka Pyramid under his production company Bebble Rock Music and on January 7,2022 released the featured video with Ms Nattali Rize for their single Fire Burning. The track has been doing well and has garnered over sixteen thousand views on YOUTUBE in the short time it was released.
MINORI, born Minori Izumi Russell to parents Dawn Marie Hall and Samuel Russell ( both deceased) has an undying passion for the recording and performing arts and has been steadily creating a lane for herself with a plethora of accomplishments.
Minori an undeniable talent,with a sound that speaks to your very soul and words so real you can't help but to relate we encourage you to tune in to this beautiful stream of consciousness.

Search by Country Guadeloupe

Nadine Drack Vidal

'Nashoo' - Guadeloupe

Born to a Dominican (Dominica ) mother and a French (Guadeloupe) father, Nashoo was introduced to music at an early age, enriched and inspired by Caribbean music of the 1990’s (Tanya Stephens, Cécile, Jah-Cure, Wayne Wonder, etc…), including American HipHop / RnB & Soul music(Erykah Badu, Whitney Houston, Brandy etc...)

In 2000, at the age of 14, she wrote, composed and recorded her earliest singles, produced by DJ Parrain & Selecta Manworks. In developing her passion for the arts, dance and fashion, she entered an inter-high school talent contest, held at the National Arts Center of Guadeloupe in 2003. Soon afterwards, she was introduced to the urban music scene in Guadeloupe, being featured on various album projects and compilations with artists such as Méga, Lovyjam,Tiwony, Kultcha B, “Washington Crew”. Driven by her desire for success she left Guadeloupe in 2004, landing in Paris, then England, and finally coming back to her native island in 2017, enriched with accumulated international experience. Her artistic ambitions garnered her two talent contest wins with Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes USA.

1. A stage performance at their first live event in LONDON in 2015.
2. An appearance on the mixtape of famed rapper FUTURE with her breakout single “TSUNAMI” in 2014.

Nashoo established her label SPACESHIP MUSIC INTERNATIONAL in 2015, specializing in audio engineering, events, booking, and management and artists development, with support from the label “Major Players Music Global". The label brings together emerging artists and beatmakers, from all over the United States, Africa and the Caribbean including Indinal(Jamaica), Dj Manni(Ghana) SupaSaa(Sierra-Léonne)

She would soon become the label’s ambassador working as a duo with her counterpart “HAYA” ,launching the group’s live contests in Cannes, during the “MIDEM” of the International Congress of Music Professionals in Juin 2016, as well as the Édition de Paris (Paris Publishing) which the duo continues to organize monthly from Guadeloupe.

Back home Nashoo delivers her first album named “Sioulé” Available on her website www.nashoo.fun

The songstress shot her music video for “Si ou lé” in the island of Marie Galante with “Nirvaneyes”, available on YouTube since Mai 2018. The track has been performed in front of numerous audiences all over the archipelago since her homecoming.

Around the same time, the track “Island Flame”, first promotional single released from the album by Detroit rapper Reime
Scheme“Rhymageddon”, featuring Haya & El Jamexican, propelled her on FM radio airwaves across the American continent, in particular NBC California, Caribbean PowerJam radio(Brooklyn N.Y), in Australia (5Ebi 103. 1 FM92.7FM etc...), in Canada and along with radio stations in certain European countries, notably The Netherlands, Germany.
It’s clear that this is not the last time that the world will hear of this young up and coming talent from Guadeloupe.

Search by Country Aruba

Natusha Croes

'CARICIA'- Aruba

My work begins at the periphery of the intuitive source that guides me to create from a direct conversation with the natural heritage as it is found in the Caribbean. Within the Caribbean mysticism I was born in and cultivating an embodied sense of awareness that
longs for a unification with the elemental forces that exist in nature. A portal comes to be. A state of reflection upon regaining a slower, eco sense of awareness, and altered means of existence. From the profoundness and power that exists within the landscape I am rebirthed in the fluidity and multiplicity of my being. Having the rock on my feet, sand in between my toes, leaves on my cheeks becomes a time machine. I am seeking to compose with, be in tune to and to listen to the wisdom that lives within my sensuous need. My body becomes the temple through which I investigate our human existence. My need to feel becomes a guiding compass. Spending time interacting, harmonizing and musicalizing my environment becomes the performative operation that defines my work. Performance becomes the vehicle towards activating an ecopsychology. I am trying to assimilate the spirit that lives within the yearning to interact and enable a state of deep listening. I am seeking a musical conversation with my environment for the sake of chanting and moving into a poetic reality, where singing and dancing becomes the means from which we explore the different planes of consciousness our human state permits. Documenting this through poetic utterances, film, video and written text that serves as a reflection and channeling of what my practice wants to communicate. I have been committed to the act of transmuting organic and ready made objects into instruments. Eager to sample, field record and move towards activating the landscape with the entirety of my body for the sake of transcending and reaching a state of altered existence. I want to be able to curate experiences and produce music that activates a curiosity towards exploring our own sense of embodied knowledge through interaction with breath, movement, nature and vocalization. My work begs for a co-existence, creating safe spaces where we can feel empowered to reconnect with our environment promoting creativity, sustainability and wellness. Through our moving bodies and the musical interaction with our environment, we begin to understand that we are inherently interconnected. This pursuit towards oneness with the environment leads me back to this ancient knowledge. The archetype of the witch or best said the wisdom that is extracted from leading a more sensuous state of being within nature brings a heightened state of awareness towards every breath, every heartbeat. I touch with a heightened state of curiosity which unravels a state of being that is transformative and is being guided by the force that lives within the elemental deities I encounter in nature. Breathing life into a state of play and curiosity that activates the child that lives within. The child-like state is one of openness. We have little to no inhibitions. Surrendering to be in tune with a sense of exploration. So there is a captivating state of curiosity that drives us forward. Therefore I coined my practice and thus a state of being as CARICIA, which translates to “caress or caressing”. The process of caressing serves as a metaphor for a more slow, sensitive, eco-conscious means of creatively and artistically engaging with our cultural & natural heritage. After specializing in performance making I used a trans-disciplinary approach to explore the human embodied condition, with a focus on our breath, ability to move with a connection to the flow of breath, the heightened sensibilities that follow, from our sense of touch, and the vocal expression of this conscious process of performing the synergy in between our inner rhythmicality and the outer reality. I have used it as a solo artist and a collective facilitator. I noticed that performing with the landscape and ecosystems as it is presented in the Caribbean is a means of remembrance, decolonizing and regaining a feminist and fluid means of becoming even more conscious of what it means to be a Caribbean identifying being. Regaining a sense of empowerment and reclamation of a more nature informed means of operating and thinking. “El sentir-pensar”, translating to thinking-feeling, becomes the means I conduct research on how we can heal and feel empowered regardless of the financial challenges we may encounter as artists and creatives from and for the Caribbean. In search of questions that instigate a deep sense of curiosity for unravelling who we are as Caribbean identities. The CARICIA artistic process is also used as a therapeutic creative method of self-exploration through 1:1 sessions & workshops. I offer my practice as a means of stimulating new ideas & conversations around the human condition. A journey of introspection and reflection. Enabling the possibility to dream and sense through the body (as an ancient vessel), a new means of perceiving and revealing reality. Manifesting a more mindful approach of self and collective understanding. Performing with our natural heritage, the elements of the landscape and the ecosystems that surround us. Be it sea, forest/mondi or city. The idea is to reveal from this interaction a new method of co-existing. In a harmonious environmentally conscious manner.

Search by Country Haiti

ODNÉ Jean Fritz Junior

'Junjazz' - Haiti

Surnommé Junjazz, Jean Fritz Junior est né en 1986 en Haïti. Parmi les multiples métiers exercés dans le théâtre, il est comédien, conteur, marionnettiste, metteur en scène et directeur artistique. 24 ans plus tard, après la catastrophe naturelle du 12 janvier 2010, il fait ses débuts dans le milieu
Grâce à une formation intensive en art dramatique avec Anacaona Goman. Dès lors, il coopère avec certaines troupes théâtrales nationales, telles que : COSCENE, COPART, TOTO B, EKOTĒ. Anime des spectacles de contes, de marionnettes dans les écoles, bibliothèques, maisons privées, églises anniversaire d’enfants et autres. Il dirige La compagnie de Théâtre INNOV’ARTS depuis près de quatre ans.
Avec une vingtaine de représentations environs, Odné participe au projet « ABA FATRA » dans les rues de Delmas (Port-au-Prince) en été 2011. Presqu'un an après, il narre à la semaine de marionnette organisée par COPART. En novembre 2012, avec l’Atelier ARKETAL de la France à l’institut Français d’Haïti, il reçoit une formation en marionnette de table.
En février de la prochaine année, l’artiste gravit l’échelle internationale en jouant comme comédien dans « LE CYCLE DE LA NUIT » au FESTIVAL DE THÉ TRE DE LA MARTINIQUE. En juillet de cette même année, il collabore aussi avec Ernst St-ROME sur le même titre au 40e FESTIVAL DE GANNAT en France. En novembre, il écrit et met en scène « SÉJOUR EN ENFER » pour Komedi lakay, puis participe au « FESTIVAL HAÏTI CHALEUR, HAÏTI COULEUR » organisé au Cap.
Odne intervient comme conteur et marionnettiste au FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL MUSIQUE ET DANSES TRADITIONNEL D’AQUIN en avril 2014. Il fait la mise en scène du spectacle de rue « MÉMOIRE D'OUTRE TOMBE » au « FESTIVAL HAÏTI CHALEUR, HAÏTI COULEUR » en novembre avec sa compagnie. En décembre, il reçoit une autre formation en écriture théâtrale. De plus, il joue le rôle principal de « TELUS » dans la pièce écrite par Michel SOUCAR « LA COUR DES MIRACLES » à LA FOIRE INTERNATIONALE DU LIVRE.
L’année suivante, en mars, le comédien aux talents divers écrit et interprète un monologue « le comédien et sa personne » au festival de théâtre théatrophilie. Aussi, il participe au FESTIVAL
INTERCULTUREL DE CONTE ANBA TONEL. En Afrique, il prend part au FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DU CONTE DU TOGO.

Search by Country Trinidad & Tobago

Rachael N. Collymore

Trinidad & Tobago

Rachael N. Collymore is a passionate creative strategist, publicist and talent consultant. As the founding Director of Power Media Hub Co. Ltd., it is her intention to contribute to the creative landscape and innovate systems of operation. A core part of this is to shine light on the area of intellectual property rights, as it relates to the creative
industries/orange economy and sustainability for the sector. Through Power Media Hub, she has hosted workshops on IP rights and collaborated with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) to host the Copyright and Related Rights workshop for the Music sector. Rachael was also a part of the O2N Style 2 panel discussion on the creative economy in 2019. She holds a Masters degree in Business Administration, along with other professional certifications and qualifications. She also mentors with the Youth Business of Trinidad and Tobago (YBTT).
She is the founder of the non-profit organization, Poetic Vibes Arts Foundation which is dedicated to the advancement of young artists and building social awareness through the arts. In this capacity, Rachael represented Trinidad and Tobago in 2015 at the Griot Summit in Toronto, Canada and presented on a panel on the advancement of the arts. For the past thirteen (13) years she has coordinated and facilitated workshops and events to fulfill this mandate. Such initiatives include: The Young Artists for Change Apprenticeship programme (2017), The Artisans for Change TT Festival (part of the 100TPC global movement for change), YTC Pilot Project and Synergia: a fusion of Art, Jazz & Poetry to name a few.
As a writer of poetry, Rachael has used this medium to channel her creative energies to issues she’s passionate about. Her poetry has been published in a few anthologies, most recently - 'World of Change', 'She Sex' and '360 degrees'. She has also written for CPC Women in Business, Arc Magazine and other publications.
She is the former VP and current Secretary on the Board of the Circle of Poets of T&T and was also a part of the Steering Committee for the launch of the Poet Laureate of Trinidad & Tobago programme. Her desire is to see artists use their talent for social good and to see a viable and sustainable music and creative industry.

Search by Country Guadeloupe

Sainte-Luce Jerome

Guadeloupe

Born in 1981 in Perpignan, Jérôme Sainte-Luce studied Applied Arts at Rivières Des Pères, then Plastic Arts in 1999, After some experiences in Spain and then in the Ardèche, he obtained a DSAA – design specialty – at the Éstienne School in Paris in 2002. Trainer of Applied Arts since 2009, he works in different centers of the island of Guadeloupe. Since 2009, notably with the exhibition "Les mes Gravées", Sainte-Luce has been developing a visual research work, revisiting Amerindian culture, a unifying element of the history and heritage of the Caribbean space. Indeed, "haunted" by the loss of Memory, the artist tirelessly bypasses these Amerindian engraved stones and raises the question of the "other state" after the death of man, and therefore the question of the trace left... which remains despite everything, after the extinction of an entire civilization.
With his works, the artist speaks tirelessly about his cultural heritage and his inner world. Faithful to a mode of dialogue of his own, Jerome speaks of his works, which he names by numbers, not as representations of spirits, but as spirits, intrinsically. Each canvas, each drawing testifies to a growth between Amerindian culture and African culture, Each work evokes a mixture between two,,,where the imagination arises like a standard.
Having lived a large part of his childhood in "an archaeological basin", Trois-Rivières, a mecca of Amerindian remains, the omnipresence of petroglyphs and mystical presences everywhere, from nature to imagination,,,The child invented, little by little, around these
rock engravings an imaginary world populated by faces, ghostly forms, tales and wanderings,,,instinctively the graphic lines came and the desire for matter, colors, productions appeared.
The exploration, the Journey began with his mobile and haunted raft, the spirit of the artist spread over History, Heritage, Culture, cultures ... and especially on US.

Search by Country Dominica

Sheldon Alfred

"Shelly" - Dominica

Sheldon “Shelly” Alfred was born on September 1, 1995 in Goodwill. At the tender age of eleven, he participated in the Saint Mary’s Primary School 2006 calypso competition as De Professor performing Give de Youth a Break, and placed second. This spurred him to venture into the Junior Calypso Monarch competition where he won three (3) consecutive crowns in 2009 - 2011 with songs Paros Everywhere, Vacancy, and My Exposition written by teacher and renowned songwriter, Ian Jackson. By 2015, Shelly had advanced to the National Calypso Monarch as one of the competition’s youngest finalists with his songs entitled God of Calypso Kingdom and Good Professor both written by Pellam Jno Baptiste. He was crowned Stardom King of the Tent 2015. In 2016, he did not take part in the competition; however, he wrote and released Dominican Houses which was one of the more popular calypsos of that year.
In Shelly’s teenage years, he had great enthusiasm for the drum machine and the guitar. He has produced many drum machine beats for Triple Kay, song productions for Asa Bantan, and has worked with many other artists and DJs in the producer capacity. As guitarist, he was featured as guitarist for Signal Band, Triple Kay and Gordon Henderson & Exile One.
Shelly’s transition from Calypsonian to Bouyon artiste was not clear-cut; but the shift came with the realization of the opportunity for bouyon to utilize the talent of trained songwriters and musicians like himself on its quest for internationalization. He dubs his style of composition as “Bouyon Love” and asserts that this love is one of many layers; it is love of community, love of country, love of self, love of music, and of course, the love of romance. Shelly designs his music through these lenses, and as part of his creative process, he is always open to adjusting or retaining the tempo and mood based on the form of love being expressed and its respective formula for triggering emotion from the consumer. Shelly’s most successful singles to date, Ani Ba Yo Love, Local, and Baby Come Back, are true testaments to the passion and craft that goes into his songwriting and composing. His more recent releases, Inside and Happy Place, have also received much media traction for their diligent design. Over the years, he has written songs for various artistes, collaborated with regional artists such as Marvay (Barbados), Riddla (Guadeloupe) and local ones such as the Original Bouyon Pioneers (formally WCK), Mr. Benji N2o, Tazzy, King Dice, ShadowFlow, and many more artistes and musicians.
Locally, Shelly has been recognized for his stellar contributions to the music industry. In 2015, he was awarded Dominica's Outstanding Youth in Music at the National Youth Awards. Five years later, he was awarded The Young Artiste 2020 Award by the Cultural Division and National Cultural Council during Dominica’s 42nd Celebration of Independence. In 2021, he was voted in as President of Dominica’s revamped Association of Music Professionals.

Search by Country Trinidad & Tobago

Suzanne Wallace

Trinidad & Tobago

Suzanne’s singing career began when she entered 1989’s NJAC Calypso Monarch Competition and became a finalist. Both songs, Carnival is for woman and Life’s too short composed by Ronald Howard and arranged by Ray Holman. Subsequently, hers was the name sort after, for many radio and television commercials .

Suzanne later ventured into musical theatre, taking on such roles as, “Columbia” in the enactment of the Rocky Horror Picture Show held at the “Little Carib” theatre. Suzanne’s powerful role as “Belle Canto” gained her the position of lead female Singer of the Carnival Brass band
“Fire Flight lead by Carl Beaver Henderson. While on tour with the band in Canada, Suzanne frequently worked as a back-up singer for many performing artists. She later migrated and joined the band Saint O, which played a mixture of Caribbean Latin and north American music.

In 1996, Suzanne formed the “Suzanne Wallace Band” a 5 piece ensemble and with the help of a Toronto agent, was booked at some of the world’s top five star hotels in Asia and India. Upon returning to Trinidad in 2002, Suzanne auditioned for position of one of five lead vocalist’s of the country’s first Big Dance Band “Divine Echoes”. An innovation of the former Prime Minister Mr. Patrick Manning. During which Suzanne has performed at the Prime Minister’s residence “Diplomatic Centre”, for heads of state including President Barack Obama of the United States and other foreign dignitaries when they visited Trinidad for the Summit of the Americas, and for large corporate company functions. This 50 piece orchestra, Divine Echoes comprising of young educated musicians has attended several workshops on the history of calypso and jazz at the National Library “NALIS” in Port of Spain, hosted by lecturers from the University of the West Indies “UWI” with guest appearances by renowned names in the Music Industry. In 2009 the Band attended a six weeks study tour to Cuba, at a University there. They were schooled in the various styles of Latin music. Took Latin-dance classes, and all vocalists learnt songs in Spanish
.
They also learnt various techniques of playing latin percussive instruments, as they sang and danced. At the end of the six weeks, each member received a Certificate of Participation and the Band was invited to perform their newly learnt skills at the Consulate-General’s residence, for friends and invited guests. In 2012 at the end of their five year contract Divine Echoes presented Suzanne with a certificate of “Outstanding Performance.” Suzanne is currently pursuing an Associate degree in Music, at The College of Science and Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago “COSTAATT” and enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with eager aspiring Talent.