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CARIBBEAN EXPORT DEVELOPMENT AGENCY - CREATE
03Music -THELANGUAGEOFMUSIC
XIAMARA FORTUNA
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Think of Caribbean music and most may probably think
Bob Marley, Sean Paul and the genres of Reggae and
Dance Hall. Though very notable in their achievements,
it can be said that the real beauty of Caribbeanmusic is in
the amazing eclectic mix of its genres and expressions.
Quite easily Caribbean music is as rich and diverse as its people. Comprised
of a multiplicity of enriched genres, the music oozes with influences from
the many cultures of the region including African, European, Indian and
Indonesian. While the more popular genres such as reggae, salsa, calypso,
soca and perhaps to a lesser extent, zouk, bouyan and punta are known across
the world, the just as exciting expressions of benna, merengue, spouge and
bolero that are yet to meaningfully find their way beyond the region’s shores.
There is one artist however, who is determined to see barriers broken down
and the beauty of the region’s music take flight. Especially those derivatives
found in the Spanish speaking Caribbean.
Dominican Republic recording artist, Xiomara Fortuna, known simply
as Xiomara, is a musician with a mission. The artist’s own music is itself
strongly diversified, a reflection of her native folk rhythms with influences
from Cuba and Brazil. Xiomara fuses jazz with contemporary music and
incorporates mangulina, priprì, salve, congos and gaga to create beautiful
expressions of her varied cultural background. Her compilation, Kumbajei,
is more than a CD. Xiomara expresses that “it is a work that includes much
of the Dominican unusual rhythms and integrates new ways of making
music, blending the contemporary with the traditional, respecting the most
valuable elements of each.” The end result is a unique sound which has
made this product a reference for musicians, artists and music schools, both
nationally and internationally.
According to Xiomara, music is one of the quickest ways to close the divide
in the Caribbean and she encourages all attempts of cooperation such
as CARIFORUM. The singer and songwriter credits Caribbean Export for
contributing to this effort of unification through the creative industries.
“Never has there been such a regional business environment prior to
Caribbean Export,” says Xiomara. The Dominican notes that before the
agency’s intervention, profitable relationships only existed with others in the
Hispanic Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Cuba, etc. Caribbean Export has
“broadened the possibilities” yet while providing a foundation for “artists to
know what happens in other markets” Xiomara believes that more support
is needed.
THE
LANGUAGE
OF MUSIC