Ella Andall
Ella Andall
Arima, N/A, TT
Other / World
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Bio
A powerful and spiritual chantuelle from the Caribbean, utilising African-Caribbean rhythms and sounds.
About
Ella Andall has worked consistently over the past four decades to establish herself as an artiste of international stature. Considered by many as a Caribbean Queen of Song – a chantuelle supreme, a high priestess of African-Caribbean music, Ella's journey is one of power and potency.
From the early 1970s, Ella Andall emerged as a dynamic force among a new breed of peoples' artistes in Trinidad and Tobago. With music as her main vehicle, she has dedicated her life to reach and teach the people, pushing a positive image reinforced with lyrical strength and fervour.
The development of SOCA as a radical sound of the Caribbean's youth, saw Ella as one of its main messengers during its formative years. Artistically defined as ‘the soul of Calypso', SOCA music brought a new approach and attitude to the Caribbean landscape. Ella Andall personified that new attitude – painting new pictures of empowerment for her people, cutting new paths forward, sending new signals with songs of love, lite and liberation. During this period, Ella toured extensively through the Caribbean region, United States and Canada with the band Vibrations International (led by the late Ras Shorty I). Her recordings topped the Caribbean music charts - Second Fiddle, We Are Different People - and her exciting cover of Eddie Grant's Hello Africa autographed Ella Andall's name into Caribbean music history.
Ella has moved with a renewed determination to express the rootical sound of the Caribbean, rejoicing with the African spirit while retracing ancient steps with new energy. She articulates the struggle of the women, she provides sustenance for the children. Hit songs like Black Woman, Bring Down The Power, Rhythm of a People and Missing Generation, brought Ella more awards in Caribbean music industry. In 1996 she was voted Best Female Artiste in Trinidad and Tobago, and in 1997 was the Caribbean Entertainer of the Year. Other awards include, NACC – Top 20 Stars of Gold – Calypso Award Ceremony – Say My Name (1997); Female Composer of the Year COTT (1998). She performed in the National Calypso Monarch show and the International Soca Monarch show (the two premiere music events in Trinidad Carnival).
The dramatic and dynamic presence on stage, the intense energy radiating, the majesty, the magic, have all contributed to the power that is Ella Andall. Her journey into the theatre has brought her acclaim in the musical “Carnival Messiah” (West Yorkshire Playhouse, UK) and the lead role in “Yo Asantewa Warrior Queen “ Royal Festival Hall, London) which played in both England and Ghana. She was also the musical director and lead chantuelle in the production of “Sango de Imo” (The University of the West Indies, Centre for Creative and Festival Arts).
In 1999 Ella was invited to the World Beat concert held in Trinidad to perform alongside artistes such as Baaba Maal, Nitin Sawhney, Tito Puente, Hugh Masekela, Andre Tanker, Ravi Shankar and many more. Her musical journey continues as she graces the international stages representing Trinidad and Tobago across the world. In December 2005, she was the opening performer for the First World Music Festival held in St. Lucia, and in March 2006, she performed at TrinityCollege in HartfordConnecticut 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.
She continues to sing out her sounds of freedom, joy, love and rejuvenation.
Ella Andall's website: www.ellaandall.com
Ella Andall's Electronic Press Kit: www.sonicbids.com/EllaAndall
