Morris Stuart, musical director with Asante Sana, Alice Springs’ community choir, talked with me about his childhood in British Guiana on the South American continent, his heritage of slaves brought from Africa to work in the sugar cane plantations established in the British Colony.  He spoke of early musical influences of calypso and also the jazz and blues greats eminating from the USA.

Morris went on to describe his life and musical journey from British Guiana to Britain (to go to high school and college), marriage, more travelling, life in New Zealand and finally to Australia.  We played some music that has touched his heart and sprit on the way, and acknowledged lots of other music that has influenced him, which we didn’t have time to play.

here are a few tasters:

Gurrumul – just love the exquisite voice and the power of singing in language stories of importance

Askasa – World Citizen (how Morris feels)

Frank Yamma – Ngurra Watjilpa (memories of Asante Sana singing this song in Trephina Gorge at the 2008 Alice Desert Festival and at the Alice Springs Desert Park on the night that Obama was elected – the night was electric)

Choir of Hard Knocks – magic can be generated when people get together and do something positive and enriching for their spirit

WaMutunga – Morris and Barb and their children formed this group to sing together.  They’ve not released a CD but we got to hear a recording of them in concert

Soweto Gospel Choir – effortless harmonies and such passion

From the soundtrack of “The Power of One” – Mother Africa – Asante Sana has sung this twice in public and in 2009 Alice Desert Festival Morris has done a more complex arrangement to challenge the choir members and to bring a greater depth and richer sound for the audience.  this will be performed during Desert Song, 6pm, Sunday 13th September at the Pod on Anzac Oval.

http://www.alicedesertfestival.com.au/ and http://asantasana.wikispaces.com

Other Tracks played were

1 giant Leap – all along (on Eilean Shona)

Rahul Sharma and Adita Kalyanpar – Jhalla

Ali Farke Toure – Kadi Kadi

Najma Akhtar and Gary Lucas – Naya Dhin

Danielle Silvestri – Le Cose in Comane

Quadro Nuevo – Tu Vuo Fa L’Americano

Dya Singh – All Aboard

Chris Wood – Albion

Coum Sands – The Politician’s Song

Staff Benda Bilili – Marguerite