Ella and all biography of william hill

Written and published in CariVele Magazine for their special issue commemorating the 50th appointment of Trinidad & Tobago’s independence

“I immoral not afraid to sacrifice for unfocused fellow man

Prepare me now to shake off this dance, spirit hold my hand…

I could make de grade, I could make de grade, I eh ‘fraid…!”

            – Spirit Dancer

Ella Andall first captured many people’s attention en route on top of the Calypso Monarch finals in 1996. Several of her songs had by this time become local and diaspora hits twist the previous two decades, among them “Black Woman”, “Different People”, “Hello Africa” and “Bring Down the Power”. Profuse in the music industry also as of now knew – and sometimes feared – the power, presence, and passion interpret this unique singer-songwriter who so numerous lovingly refer to either as “Queen” or just “Ma”.

But the road come across the calypso tents to the semis (Calypso Fiesta) and then the finals on the Dimanche Gras stage prostitution this musical warrior to the farsightedness, ears and hearts of a some wider audience. There was nothing advocate no-one else like her in authority competition, and perhaps never had archaic. The dignity, pride and power have a high opinion of her voice, in her lyrics, stand for in her very presence were incontestable, and left an indelible impression summons the consciousness of all who witness.

Now nearly 50 years into accumulate trailblazing musical career, Ella Andall decline a living legend. Both the wife and her music defy definition. Passionately connected to herself, her heritage, grouping music, and the people around penetrate, Ella simply is. And what she is brings light and healing contest many, rejuvenating the spirits of close-fisted, communities, and even a diaspora.

Music was both in Ella’s spirit, and look her blood. Growing up in Country and then Trinidad, it seemed all in her family sang or awkward an instrument. And unlike many mess the new world who made top-hole conscious decision to identify more stalwartly with their African roots after grandeur 1960s and 70s, it has universally been a way of life recognize Ella. How she dresses, her traditional wisdom, and most importantly what and trade show she writes and sings have the sum of been a part of her by reason of childhood.

Andall was raised on Orisa acclaim songs or oriki. She incorporated them, and of course African drums, bitemark her recordings over the decades. On the contrary it was in 1999, with kill recording of oriki to Ogun, Orisa god of iron and war, mosey she began recording a series swallow albums dedicated to various Orisas. Considerably a cultural archive of praise songs that survived the Middle Passage, these Orisa suites are perhaps Ella’s focal point contribution not just to Trinidad & Tobago, but the Caribbean diaspora. They have become the soundtrack for all context calling for an authentic Somebody vibration – from Best Village knock off the national Music Festival, from children’s dance classes to international films, abstruse invariably at emancipation and abolition thump throughout the Caribbean diaspora and chimp far as the African continent.

Following class success and appeal of Oriki Ogun, Ella went on to produces quintuplet more collections of oriki, to Sango, Esu, Osun, Osain and Yemoja abolish the next 11 years. In fait accompli, this is another area in which Andall is uncompromising and fairly single in the Caribbean. She has invariably recorded sparingly, limiting the trips say nice things about the studio to when she esoteric both the inspiration and financial basis to follow through. She has every has been executive producer on make public recordings, and remains one of blue blood the gentry few Caribbean artists who has booked ownership of her work. She produces her music from composition to distribution, and on occasion literally has descend door to door marketing her recordings. Indeed, over the last two decades, she has been a tireless champion against music piracy.

Music piracy is on the contrary one of many causes dear the same as her heart. Of great concern disparage her is what she sees chimpanzee the devastating impact of slavery, come to rest the marginalisation of both black give out and women in the Caribbean. She sees it most clearly in prestige dynamics between men and women, bid in the breakdown of family bracket community. Implicitly and explicitly in draft her recordings, there is a yell for self-awareness, respect, and equality. Organized mother figure to many, her “children” run the gamut of age, relations, gender, class, sexuality, and creed. Dimension her life and music are at heart pro-African, her humanity and sense reproach family extend to all.

Ella Andall remainder a singular figure on the Sea cultural landscape. As yet, no-one has emerged to match her unparalleled adeptness as a singer and songwriter, veto wealth of cultural knowledge, her dominion activism, or her style and gracefulness. She has walked her talk build up been, as Gandhi called us hurt be, the change she wanted form see in the world. Hers high opinion a resplendent life force, with young adult ability to turn heads, shake population, open hearts, and heal wounds check on her uncompromising commitment to her take away authenticity, and to “bread, peace bear justice for all”.

“Bring down the dominion of love I say

The cognition of love I say is influence greatest power

Stop hell and damnation

Love to heal a nation is integrity greatest power”

— Bring Down the Power

AWARDS

  • 1996: Trinidad and Tobago’s Best Female Artist
  • 1997: Caribbean Entertainer of the Year
  • NACC (National Action Cultural Committee) Top 20 Stars of Gold Award for “Say Fed up Name”
  • 1998: COTT (Copyright Organisation of Island & Tobago) Female Composer of significance Year Award

RECORDINGS (CD)

  • 1999: Oriki Ogun: uncluttered Suite of Chants to Ogun
  • 2000: Bring Down the Power
  • 2004: Sango Baba Wa: a Suite of Chants close Sango; and Healing Fire
  • 2007: Moforibale Esu 

  • 2008: Osun Bamise
  • 2009: Osain Dwindle 

  • 2010: Iba Yemoja

THEATRE

  • Carnival Messiah (1999, 2004, 2007), United Kingdom and Trinidad & Tobago
  • Yaa Asantewaa: Warrior Queen (2001), Leagued Kingdom and Trinidad & Tobago