This Year's Rhythms of Africa Event Will Take Place From April 26-27 Under the Theme "Music to My Ears"

As a member of Third World, arguably reggae’s most eclectic band, drummer Willie Stewart had free rein to experiment with his instrument. Songs like Lagos Jump and Talk to Me hear him at his percussive best.

Willie StewartThe drum has been at the forefront of Rhythms Of Africa, the annual event Stewart has staged in South Florida since 2010. This year’s shows take place April 26-27 at Miramar Cultural Center, with legendary Jamaican singer Ken Boothe and Nigerian violinist Demola as headliners.

“Using an eclectic music platform is playing diverse forms of rhythms and songs which is what Africa is all about. In Nigeria alone you can play messages on a talk drum to communicate,” Stewart explained. “In a 10-mile radius, the tribe you want to communicate that message would get it and understand while the others would not know or understand what you are saying because of so many different languages within the border.”

The theme of this year’s shows is ‘Music To My Ears’. It features Boothe, one of the most influential vocalists in reggae, who Stewart backed as an upcoming drummer in Jamaica during the late 1960s.

Boothe turned 77 in March and is still able to command the stage as shown in recent shows in Jamaica.

“To have Mr. Ken Boothe grace our show is indeed a great honor. This man is a living iconic legend, reggae royalty. His interpretation of his songs is dynamic, colorful and speaks volumes. I know the audience will be excited to see him perform and we will all honor him,” said Stewart.

 Those songs include Silver Words, The Train is Coming and Everything I Own. The latter went number one on the British national chart in October, 1974.

While big names like former Third World members Ibo Cooper and Stephen “Cat” Coore, Etana and Alison Hinds have graced the Rhythms Of Africa stage, Stewart’s students from Broward County high schools, comprise his orchestra.