Tuesday marks 50 years since the Yoruba Singers, known for all-time favourites like, “Itaname”, “Black Pepper”, “Ojinga’s Own”, “Woman Ah Dead Ya Fuh Man”, “Sample”, “Abiola”, and “Crekete” among others, was formed.
Band leader Eze Rockcliffe said that while there is no particular celebration planned, the Yoruba Singers intends to release a CD in July comprising 40 songs, most of which are originals. The covers will be songs that inspired the group’s musical career.
Eze is the only active member of the band who has been there since its inception. His brother Kenneth is the other long standing member, chalking up 38 years having joined in the 90s, though Eze said Kenneth had always been around assisting here and there. When the Yoruba Singers was founded 50 years ago in Kitty, it started off with 13 members. Today there are nine.
The band has toured a number of countries and represented Guyana at Carifesta three times: Cuba, Jamaica, and Barbados, in addition to being in attendance at the first Carifesta held here in Guyana in 1972.
Over the last year, the band has participated in two virtual concerts, one hosted at the National Cultural Centre for its 49th anniversary and the other in celebration of Emancipation Day last August.
