Bahamian songbird JoAnn Callender will lead a cohort of contemporaries in a celebration of Bahamian composers. The concert is an official event on the 40th anniversary of independence calendar.

“These songs are some of the most beautiful in the world, and it is my delight to present them in collaboration with pianist Lee Callender, Dion Cunningham (guest) pianist, Fred Ferguson (guitar), Ralph Munnings (saxophone), the “Highgrove Singers”, Bahamian percussionists, and a rake-n-scrape ensemble,” said Ms Callender.

Added to the mix is a five piece string ensemble from Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore Maryland.

“Because of the significance of our 2013 independence, I felt this occasion could not pass without the celebration of some of the great musicians and composers of this generation, and generations past, who have had an historical impact in our country,” said Ms Callender.

“A few of the lesser known compositions of Timothy Gibson, the composer of the national anthem of the Bahamas, will be highlighted; I have also included a noted music teacher of her time, Mrs Meta Davis-Cumberbatch, who taught E. Clement Bethel, who himself taught Audrey Dean-Wright; the line of musical inheritance is a wonderful tradition not to be overlooked,” she said.

The June 15 event will be held at Christ Church Cathedral. Part proceeds from the $35 tickets will go towards a Timothy Gibson documentary film.

The featured composers include: Timothy Gibson, Meta Davis-Cumberbatch, E. Clement Bethel, Audrey Dean-Wright, Cleophas Adderley, Franz Hepburn, Kayla Edwards & Keysha Edwards-Taylor, K. Quincy Parker, and Eric Cash.

CLEOPHAS ADDERLEY

My Child

Nassau Harbour

Run Gal

E. CLEMENT BETHEL

Lamenting Belinda

Praise

When The

Road Seems Rough

ERIC CASH

Pretty Boy

META DAVIS-

CUMBERBATCH

South Wind

KAYLA EDWARDS &

KEYSHA EDWARDS-

TAYLOR

Free

TIMOTHY GIBSON

Sapodilly Woman

Bahama Babe

Nassau Moon

March On Bahamaland

FRANZ HEPBURN

Bahama Moon

Exuma Blue

K. QUINCY PARKER

Thou Art Fair

AUDREY

DEAN-WRIGHT

Sperid Song

Reflections