Marisa’s magic

by JOHN SEALY
?AFTER sitting through the speeches about the raison d’être for the staging of the international diaspora arts festival, it was then on to the music segment featuring the 1688 Orchestra and neosoul/jazz singer Marisa Lindsay.
?The collaboration between Lindsay and 1688 was an unforgettable experience at the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination (EBCCI). And the musicians displayed “creative imagination” in keeping with the venue’s mission.
Lindsay’s vocal savvy and the eagerness of the student musicians – who explored their instruments under the guidance of an enigmatic conductor/arranger Stefan Walcott made a statement that Barbados’ musical resources are on firm footing.
Lindsay also enhanced her reputation as a talented young vocalist by stamping her authority on pop classics Waiting In Vain by Bob Marley, a medley of Aretha Franklyn’s hits and Knock On Wood by Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper, made much more exciting by Stefan’s decorations.
After the session THE WEEKEND BUZZ caught up with the eclectic vocalist to find out how she teamed up with 1688 and also her take on the show.
“I am not sure whose choice it was to have me, but Stefan contacted me and then I spoke with De Carla S. Applewhaite [EBCCI producer] and made it happen.”
?She said the arrangements were Stefan’s and described them as “very ambitious and absolutely Caribbean soul”.
?“It is a pleasure working with Stefan and all the talented musicians of the band. Everybody is committed to doing their part . . . you don’t have to second guess anything . . . you know that it will be done. I just felt like that I am part of an entire presentation,” said Lindsay.
?She said a festival of the arts promoted and nurtured talent and exposed people to new talent.
“Exposure leads to knowledge and knowledge and understanding lead to appreciation.” THE WEEKEND BUZZ also wanted to know where Lindsay is at and where she is headed.
“I have always been in and out of the island doing my thing and I have been very focused on my school. It has been about six years for Say Love Music school.”
??‘It’s my turn now’
??Lindsay, who has been the vocal coach for the likes of Livvi Franc and Vita Chambers, offered the view that the “music industry internationally has changed so drastically”.
“I have a couple of my students who are experiencing international . . . not fame necessarily but successes: Livvi Franc and her songwriting and Vita Chambers nominated for Juno award and it has been very rewarding for me as a coach – not really a teacher – and a mentor to see these young talents go forward and do what they love . . . .
?“But it’s my turn. I have decided to turn the focus back on me and really show these young whipper-snappers how to get it done as an independent artiste. I meet so many young people who don’t understand that the industry has changed and they are still looking for someone to discover them.”
?She said she had been “through a lot over the past two years and it has really help to mould, define and reshape: the Marisa Lindsay is ready; that entity Marisa Lindsay.”