ELLA ANDALL CD LAUNCH
Date: November 26,2011
Ella Andall launched a new music CD at the National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) on Saturday 6th November, 2010 at the National Library building. In collaboration with the Heritage Library Division, Ella Andall presented “IBA YEMOJA” – a dedication to all mothers.
Ella Andall’s music is infused with the African traditional instruments such as the drums, the lobi, the pan flute and the chekeree; and it forms part of the worship of Orisha devotees throughout the world.
Today, Ella Andall’s voice is most distinctive from other entertainers because of its unique sound and versatility. Caribbean Queen of Song, chantuelle supreme, and high priestess of African-Caribbean music are some of the names associated with her. She has also gained international reputation for bringing the ancient traditional heritage of Orisha sounds and rhythms to the fore.
Ella Andall began her recording career in 1974 by performing a song entitled Waiting For You, which was produced by Garfield Blackman, then known as the Lord Shorty. During the 1970s, she toured extensively with Lord Shorty and his Vibrations International band throughout the Caribbean and North America, promoting soca music. Then she recorded Please Don’t Leave Me, followed by a duet with Black Stalin called Stay Giving Praise. Ms. Andall attained international recognition with her version of Eddy Grant’s Hello Africa in 1976. Her recordings Second Fiddle and We Are Different People topped the Caribbean music charts and heralded Ella Andall’s name into Caribbean music history. Hit songs by Ella Andall include Black Woman, Bring down the Power (which came out of a collaboration between Ms. Andall and Brother Resistance), Rhythm of a People and Missing Generation.
In the late 1980s and 1990s, she worked closely with two well known Trinidadian musicians, David Rudder and Andre Tanker. Her vocals accompany the music on some of their tracks, as well as those of Black Stalin, Maestro, Lancelot Layne, Merchant, Shadow, Arrow, and Brother Resistance.
Notwithstanding her talent as a soca artiste, Ms. Andall has also journeyed into the realm of theatre - Carnival Messiah (West Yorkshire Playhouse, UK) and the lead role in Yaa Asantewa Warrior Queen (Royal Festival Hall, London). She was also the musical director and lead chantuelle in the production of Sango de Imo (University of the West Indies, Centre for Creative and Festival Arts, 1996).
In 1999, Ella Andall was invited to the World Beat concert held in Trinidad where she performed alongside artistes such as Baaba Maal, Nitin Sawhney, Hugh Masekela, Andre Tanker and many others. She also performed for world renowned personalities such as the Dalai Lama, the then President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, Iyanla Vanzant and the Oni of Ife.
In December 2005, Ella was the opening performer for the first world festival held in St. Lucia and in March 2006, she performed at Trinity College in Hartford Connecticut at a concert tribute to the memory of Andre Tanker. In June, she performed at the Afro American Tradition Festival (FITA) in Venezuela and shared the stage with Miriam Makeba in the 2006 Emancipation Celebrations in Trinidad. In March 2007, she appeared at the Blues and Rhythms Festival in St. Vincent to loud acclaim and admiration.
AWARDS
1988 - Best female composer of the year Copyright Organization of Trinidad &Tobago (COTT).
1996 - Best Female Artiste in Trinidad and Tobago.
1997 - Caribbean Entertainer of the Year.
1997 - National Action Cultural Committee (NACC) - One of the Top 20 Stars of Gold Calypso Award Ceremony.