Music of the Cayman Islands

The music of the Cayman Islands, a Caribbean island chain, includes a wide selection of international pop music as well as unique folk styles. The Cayman National Cultural Foundation, established in 1984, helps to preserve and promote Cayman folk music, including the organisation of festivals such as Cayman Islands International Storytelling Festival, the Cayman JazzFest, Seafarers Festival and Cayfest. There is also a Pirate's Week Festival. The Cayman JazzFest, founded in 2004, is a well-known jazz festival, that draws on the islands' "deep connection" with jazz.^[1]

The official national anthem of the Cayman Islands is "God Save the Queen". "Beloved Isle Cayman", words and music by organist Leila Ross-Shier is the official national song.^[2]

The fiddle is a popular folk instrument. Christmas music is an important part of the Cayman folk tradition, and it consists of serenading, or group singing of Christmas carols on Christmas Eve. Instruments include the fiddle, accordion, mouth organ, grater and drums.^[3]

There is a Cayman Music & Entertainers Association which represent local musicians' interests, and professional studios such as Hopscotch Studios offer recording and post-production services. Several local popular musicians are well-known, including Business Time, Natasha Kozaily, Bona Fide, Cloudburst, The Barefoot Man, Chuck and Barrie a.k.a. Sea N' B, Heat, and Nicholas Johnson.^[4]

References

• "Beloved Isles Cayman". National Anthems Reference Page. Retrieved September 27, 2005.
• "Technology is revitalising Cayman's music industry". Caymannet News. Archived from the original on March 23, 2006. Retrieved July 20, 2006.
• "Cayman Jazz Fest: Smooth And Cool In The Caribbean". Jazz News. Archived from the original on November 6, 2005. Retrieved July 20, 2006.
• "Christmas Traditions in the Cayman Islands". Caymannet News. Archived from the original on March 23, 2006. Retrieved July 20, 2006.

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