Combining the reigning artists of Punta and Paranda in a mostly acoustic setting, the Garifuna All Star band has toured the world playing in Europe and Asia before captivated audiences.
On Saturday night, the band brought the show home to the Bliss Centre. Taking center stage was Honduran Parandero Aurelio Martinez who put on a magical performance in support of his new album. Here are highlights:
[Stage Announcer: ‘Live and Direct Aurelio Martinez']
From his hit song ‘Africa' to tunes form his new album Garifuna Soul, Aurelio Martinez had the audience captivated with an electrifying stage presence. From start to end he had them in his hands, thrilling them with dancing or engaging them in call and response.
And who couldn't sing along in Garifuna could try it in Spanish or a mixture of the two.
And the crowd gave it up even more readily when Aurelio teamed up with Andy Palacio for
another for their hits Lanarine Lamiselu.
And for his new songs like Yalifu, Aurelio pulled off scaled down acoustic versions that burned with soulfulness.
And to end a magical night of music and performance, the man called the King Of Jankunu showed the audience how he earned his name.
With that they raised the Honduras flag high and they were dancing in the aisles, to make way for the maestro himself Paul Nabor who came out to perform an encore that almost brought down the house.
And the night ended on that high, the King, flanked by two worthy Princes before a grateful audience.