Jan 25/08
Andy Palacio, RIP
Sad news: Benn loxo listener, Andrew, told me yesterday that my favourite musican from Belize, Andy Palacio, died last Saturday after suffering a heart attack and stroke. He was only 47.
Palacio was largely responsible for a revival of Garifuna culture in Belize. He spread its influence far and wide with his music, including to me. You may have read about Garifuna here on Benn loxo a couple years ago after I visited Belize.
I saw Andy Palacio and Paul Nabor perform this past summer in Paris at the New Morning. They were fantastic.
You can read a nice obituary in the New York Times here.
I really respect musicians like Palacio. We can only hope that Palacio’s efforts to reinvigorate Garifuna culture will result in a new generation of talented, young Paranda musicians to follow in his footsteps.
My thoughts go out to his family. RIP.
Aurelilo Martinez & Andy Palacio – Lanarime lamiseu (How Sad)
Andy Palacio & The Garifuna Collective – Ayo Da (Goodbye My Dear)
Andy Palacio & The Garifuna Collective – Aguyuha Niduhenu (My people have moved on)
January 25th, 2008 at 18:32
I was also very sad and shocked to hear about Andy’s death. His album is so joyful and pretty. It’s a shame that such an immense talent is gone.
January 26th, 2008 at 02:02
sad and shocked pretty much sums it up. Andy and members of his band (including Garifuna elder Paul Nabor) visited my radio show last year, and they were all so energetic and positive and generous. I loved talking with him, learned a lot about the culture, and hoped for more music from him. Guess we’ll have to rely on others to pick up the baton.
One other great Garifuna artist to watch for is Aurelio Martinez. He did a tour about a year ago, and his show in Seattle brought out a local Garifuna community that I didn’t know existed. Check out his album “Garifuna Soul” for more great music. I’ve featured both of these artists on my radio show and on SoundRoots — and not for the last time.
By the way — enjoyed Eritrea week! Nice to have an extended focus on lesser-known spots. How about a Mauritius week?
January 26th, 2008 at 23:28
This is awful news. I saw Palacio and Nabor at the Edmonton Folk festival last summer, and they stayed out late with all the volunteers. They were amazing. We were dancing all night. He will be missed.
I’ve got another picture that I took of Andy from August.
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/5951/garifunacollectiverk1.jpg
January 28th, 2008 at 04:01
Such a tragic loss! You can also see a recent video of Andy talking about the meaning of Garifuna here:
http://intelligenttravel.typepad.com/it/2008/01/belize-video.html#more
February 1st, 2008 at 00:30
Hi, I just found your blog, and I think its amazing. Everything on this site is basically a whole new world of music for me. I’m pretty glad it exists.
February 1st, 2008 at 04:28
[...] Aurelio Martinez & Andy Palacio – Lanarime lamiseu (via Benn Loxo) Paranda (Stonetree Records, 2007) 02. Boozoo Bajou – Under My Sensi (Les Demons Flowers Mix) Om [...]