A band for the ages – Yoruba Singers

Spreading holiday cheer despite challenges                                   

One band of singers famous for bringing Christmas cheer through their songs is the ever popular Yoruba Singers. 

According to a Yoruba biography, the Yoruba Singers band was founded by Patrick Eze Rockcliffe in 1971, out of an African-oriented group called ASCRIA: African Society for Cultural Relations Independent Africa, with folk as its primary music. 

“When I was 19, we had a lot of activities in Kitty through the YSM, Young Socialist Movement, and ASCRIA. They had a lot of concerts across the country and we decided to form a group and perform. However, before forming a group we performed at various concerts, and after performing at one we were encouraged to form a group. An elder in the village, who was very deep into philosophy, said we should call ourselves the Yoruba Singers because we do a lot of travelling and the early Yoruba tribe in Nigeria travelled a lot according to him,” Rockcliffe, now 60 years old recalled.

There are presently eight members in the band, who are very involved in writing original songs. “We started off as a folk group; a culturally oriented group from an African standpoint. Our writings of those days were based on struggle and redemption. When we are here we sing whatever is popular to make a dollar, but when we are performing in other countries we do our folk songs because they appreciate them more there. We sing a bit of reggae, soul hip-hop and jazz,” he told Guyana Times Sunday Magazine. 

Yoruba Singers has represented Guyana at several music festivals and fairs in the Caribbean and North America, returning home with a silver medal from the Jamaica Carifesta 1976, and winning the Festival of the Guianas’ Competition in 1985 in Suriname. 

They have performed at the Madison Square Garden, and regularly attend the Caribana Carnival in Canada and the Labour Day Celebrations in New York, and were the back-up band for Jamaican reggae stars Boris Gardiner and Dobby Dobson on tour in Guyana and Suriname respectively. 

Performed with Jimmy Cliff and Sunny Akosia in Cuba 1981, Eddie Grant, Sister Carol, Gabby, Jacob Miller, Square One and Xtatic just to name a few.  

“Next year we’re celebrating 40 years, which is a significant milestone for us. We have seen a lot, and even had popular singers such as Charmaine Blackman, Bonny Alves, Trevor John, Terry King, and so many other great musicians pass through our band.” 

Since the band’s conception, with the consistent expansion of talent and musical vision, its musical borders have been extended. The reggae album ‘Consciousness’, recorded in 1998, is testimony to the versatility of the Yoruba Singers. The songs are a unique expression and style that is undoubtedly their own. 

With more than 300 recordings and numerous music videos to their name, the Yoruba Singers has maintained a rich legacy of being Guyana’s most creative group, and because of these distinctions, the government of Guyana bestowed a national award on the group with the presentation of a Medal of Service for their contribution to music. 

However, there are a few things Rockcliffe is peeved about – one being the appreciation of local talent. 

“Christmas time is very busy, but for undisclosed reasons, a lot of jobs aren’t given to us; but we have the will to survive and shine, and we will continue to do so, and only God can decide our destiny. Past Christmases were like 20 nights performing, but now we only have a few – but we are still spreading the Christmas cheer.” 

Additionally, he mentioned that no emphasis is being placed on seriously upholding culture in its true sense locally. “About 25 years ago, we had at least 15 good bands in Guyana, and they have all disappeared. Now you just have a few, with ours being one of them. A lot of bands going on cruises now and they are well paid for their art form. It’s catastrophic that local music isn’t appreciated. 

The veteran musician mentioned that the age group of their audience is usually the older folks because not many youths are exposed to the band’s music. 

He also mentioned that he has on numerous occasions written to relevant authorities about developing this cultural aspect in Guyana but is yet to receive a response. 

“Points I have brought out are that we don’t have to reinvent the wheel. We can learn from Barbados and Trinidad and Jamaica and from counterparts like the Ministry of Culture in those countries. We can have exchange seminars and learn from what they are doing in developing the art form, and [what they] have done over the years to promote themselves. The premiere artistes are important in a country. We can have sponsored tours in the region so that musicians know they are being employed and promoting their art. There are significant programmes in developing athletes and artistes. We have to work assiduously in developing our human resources,” he maintained. 

Rockcliffe is however optimistic, and will be releasing a contemporary reggae album and a folk album next year in celebration of their 40th anniversary. 

He added that Yoruba Singers will survive to continue to make a significant contribution to Guyana’s culture. 

“We need sponsorship; all we get are sprinklings and this is because the corporate sector doesn’t see us as the ‘future’ or making any significant impact on the present situation in the country. Next year we are celebrating our 40th anniversary and not even one call I got so far as to what we are doing or if we need sponsorship for any event. If we were living in some other country my phone would’ve been ringing off the hook. But as I said we are optimistic and will continue to do our part in spreading Christmas cheer this season and more to come and to continue pursuing our music,” he said. 

The Yoruba Singers at 40 is a milestone for a musical group which seems to promise more great things as the years go. A Medal of Service for their musical contribution is indeed an honour for this band for the ages. (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)