Brampton hosts the first ever International Drumming Festival to showcase Afro and Latin Caribbean Music, Culture, and Dance

BY PAUL JUNOR

It will certainly be an unforgettable evening on Saturday, September 17^th, 2022, when The Rose Brampton comes alive with the music, culture and dance at the first-ever Flow Fest. The event is billed as “Brampton International Drumming Festival”, and will be headlined by The Larnell Lewis Band and The Joy Lapps Project. Larnell Lewis is a Grammy Award-winning, Brampton-raised, musician, composer, and educator. Joy Lapps is a Grammy-nominated musician, composer, educator, artist, creative consultant, and visionary leader. Larnell Lewis and Joy Lapps are married to each other and have two children together. They lead a musical fusion of Afro-Caribbean and jazz ensembles sure to bring audiences’ hearts together as one.

Joy obtained a Master’s in Music Composition from York University and her proficiency with the tenor pan is recognized internationally. She activates spaces for community building and creative expression. The award-winning instrumentalist of Antiguan and Barbudian descent treats the steelpan as a tool for engagement, anchoring her artistry in a profound, community-centered musical tradition. She aims to amplify women’s contributions in every facet of her work, giving necessary attention to women of the steelpan movement.

Larnell studied at Humber College and is currently a Full-Time Professor of Music at the Lakeshore Campus. He has performed with the well-known Pan Fantasy Steelband. He is a talented drummer who has been recognized for his outstanding musicianship. He worked with: the Brooklyn-based jazz fusion band Snarky Puppy, Molly Johnson, Laila Biali and Quincy Jones. He is described as one of the most in-demand drummers internationally and has won two Grammy awards for his work with Snarky Puppy.

I interviewed Larnell and Joy on Friday, September 9^th, regarding their participation in the Flow Fest in Brampton. They told me that the City of Brampton approached them about taking part in this annual event. They were asked to provide artistic direction and headline the inaugural festival. They were seen as influencers and cultural leaders that can make a positive difference in the city. The language of music provides a means to connect people and foster a love of community that can elevate the artistic community and build intergenerational bridges.

Larnell believes that it is important to establish ourselves as a community by establishing a space where creativity can be fostered through shared partnerships. He hopes to encourage the concept of being in a flow state. Both Larnell and Joy believe this flagship event will be the start of many that capture the musical talents that are present both in the city and internationally.

Flow Fest will feature Ngoma and Drum Ensemble, one of Canada’s first youth-led world music ensembles. Ngoma means both drum and dance, as drumming and dancing are commonly done together. This talented group has captivated audiences throughout Toronto and the GTA along with several communities in: Eastern Ontario, Ghana West Africa, and the Caribbean.

Joshua Lucas, an event visionary and owner of Avalanche Productions will be the host DJ for the evening.

Saturday’s event will also feature: piano duo Dayramir Gonzalez (piano) and Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo (percussionist), the Fiyah Brigade and the Flow Fest Percussionist Ensemble.