Jan. 21, 2005 – It is said that if the Caribbean had a heart, Haiti would be one of the countries in the basin contending for it. The warmth of its people, the sun, the landscape and the music all combine to make Haiti a legendary place.
Strings, one of Haiti's most innovative group of musicians, will bring the legend to life at a Reichhold Center for the Arts concert on Saturday, Feb. 5. Members of the group will also share their knowledge of music and Haitian history during a series of symposiums leading up to the concert.
Strings originally formed in April 1996 when band leader and lead guitarist Jackie Ambroise, bass guitarist Philippe Augustin, and rhythm player Ralph Blanchard decided to get together. Later, the group added Arus Joseph on congas and maracas, Serge Laguerre on congas, djembe and bongos, and Robenson Jean-Baptise on drums.
Although the trio initially played Haitian folk music, the sensitive and melodious style of their acoustic sound has crossed boundaries into other musical realms including Flamenco, Afro-Haitian, Afro-Cuban and Salsa. In the style of the Haitian troubadors, Strings evokes pure feeling.
Although relatively new to the music scene, Strings has performed at the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival, throughout the United State, and in many international locations, including Japan and Chile.
On Feb. 4, Strings will participate in a whirlwind series of programs designed to bring their musical gifts and knowledge of Haiti to students throughout the territory. At 10 a.m. members of the band will split between Charlotte Amalie High School and Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School auditoriums. On St. John, the program will be held at 1 p.m. at the Julius E. Sprauve School.
The band will wrap up the day with a 7 p.m. symposium at UVI's Chase Auditorium that will be video-conferenced with the school's St. Croix campus. Topics will include the Haitian Revolution, Haiti after the revolution and Haiti today. The public is welcomed to this informative session.
Strings will play the Reichhold Center at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5. Tickets to Strings are available at Modern Music, Parrott Fish, Krystal & Gifts Galore, Connections on St. John, the UVI Bookstore and Ticketing Services at the Reichhold Center for the Arts ticketing services.
For more information regarding residencies, symposium, and performances, contact Myrshem H. George, The Reichhold Center's marketing manager, at 693-1563.