John Tripp Creative

Category: TOUR

  • Creole Choir of Cuba Coming to North America

    When one thinks “Cuba” the idea of creole culture doesn’t often come to mind, but the island shares a long and intertwined history with Haiti and the Dominican Republic. A million Cubans speak creole, a fusion of African, French and other tongues. The islands have a shared history: many Haitians fled to Cuba after the revolution of 1790, others during the oppressive regime of Duvalier.

    In the 1800s more than 30,000 Haitians emigrated to eastern Cuba with another wave occurring from 1920 – 1940 and yet another in the 1980s. Today, estimates of the Haitian population in Cuba range from 300, 000 on up to 1 million. Each wave of immigrants had its own distinct characteristics and brought with them the strong musical and dance traditions, their religion, customs, rituals and cultural habits on their journey from Haiti to Cuba.

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  • Mali’s Titan Khaira Arby and Band Return to the US for Summer Tour

    Triumphant after a successful Spring tour, and receiving the 2011 Tamani D’Or Award (Mali’s highest musical honor), Khaira Arby will make a stateside encore for a national tour of the US coming up in July.

    Arby mesmerized audiences at this year’s SXSW in showcases for NPR, The Fader Fort, National Geographic Music, All Music is World Music (The World on WGBH Boston and KUT Austin) in standout performances at a festival known for once-in-a-lifetime shows.  This intensity comes as much from her home as it does her unique spirit.  Born in a village not far from the famed city of Timbuktu , Arby is firmly planted in the desert sand. Her creativity flows in part from the people of her home region of Northern Mali-the young musicians in her band all hail from Timbuktu-and from their past and present struggles. As Arby puts it, “Trab is our land, our home, Timbuktu. Its history, its mystery, everything…”