Swanky Kitchen Band Prepares for US East Coast Tour

Swanky Kitchen Band is taking the authentic music of the Cayman Islands on a multi-city tour of the US East Coast with eight shows between 26th July and 8th August.

“It has always been our dream to present Caymanian kitchen band music to the world. This incredible tour marks a major turning point in our musical journey, and we are so proud to be carrying the Caymanian flag around the East Coast this summer,” stated Nicholas Johnson, founding member of Swanky Kitchen Band.

This landmark US tour has been arranged via the Center for Cultural Vibrancy, a Virginia based non-profit organisation that supports and celebrates traditional artists to promote cultural exchange and education worldwide.

“Having met the band last year at the Old Fiddler’s Convention, I was truly impressed with Swanky’s passion and showmanship,” noted Executive Director of the Center for Cultural Vibrancy, Dr. Jon Lohman. “The uniqueness of the Caymanian sound along with their ability to engage with audiences helped us secure invitations to multiple festivals and special performances. We are so pleased to partner with four important Cayman Islands organisations in order to make this tour possible”, he continued.

Swanky Kitchen Band’s tour has been made possible with support from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Heritage, the Ministry of Border Control, Labour and Culture, an Artist Grant from the Cayman Islands National Cultural Foundation and Cayman Airways Ltd., who is the official travel sponsor.

As part of the tour, the band has been invited to perform at the Library of Congress. This would be the first time that Caymanian music would be recorded and archived as part of the US National Recording Registry, deeming the traditional kitchen band music culturally, historically and aesthetically significant.

Minister for Youth, Sports & Heritage, Hon. Isaac Rankine commented on the momentous achievement. “For the past 21 years Swanky Kitchen Band has been entertaining our Cayman community with beloved traditional songs. I congratulate them on their scheduled performance, interview and recording at the Library of Congress in Washington DC. This is certainly an exciting opportunity for the band and the people of the Cayman Islands as it will ensure our musical heritage forms part of the official collection,” said Minister Rankine.

“I extend my sincere gratitude to the Swanky Kitchen Band for the level of exposure this will bring for the Cayman Islands but especially for all the hard work they have done to promote Cayman culture and heritage through music. We are honoured to sponsor this worthwhile endeavour,” he added.

Minister for Border Control, Labour & Culture, Hon. Dwayne Seymour, added, “It’s not every day that Caymanian musicians are invited to perform at major festivals in the USA. We should consider this another landmark moment, not just for Swanky but also for our people as it shows that our unique Caymanian sound is gaining traction and attention beyond our shores. I have publicly stated my desire to see music and the performing arts further develop in the Cayman Islands. This occasion proves there are opportunities awaiting our Caymanian musicians.”

Natalie Urqhuart, Interim Managing Director of the Cayman National Cultural Foundation, expressed joy in supporting the tour. “CNCF’s Grant for the Arts programme is devoted to supporting creatives who are dedicated to the preservation of our unique heritage or the development of Caymanian culture. Swanky seamlessly honours both past and present with music that is deeply rooted in tradition and reflective of the vibrant rhythms of contemporary Cayman. We are delighted to support their East Coast Tour and to help them share Cayman’s beloved kitchen dance music with new audiences,” she said.

Paul Tibbetts, CFO and Vice President of Cayman Airways, spoke with pride on the national airline’s sponsorship. “As the Cayman Islands’ national airline, we are proud to support our cultural ambassadors, Swanky Kitchen Band, on their East Coast Tour. Providing the band with direct travel accommodations enables them to showcase our rich Caymanian culture and talent to the world, reinforcing our commitment to promoting the Cayman Islands.”

The tour schedule is as follows:

• 26 July: First Works, Providence, RI

• 27 & 28 July: Lowell Folk Fest, MA

• 31 July: Library of Congress, Washington D.C.

• 31 July : Global Sounds on the Hill, Washington,D.C.

• 3 August: Globalfest, Lincoln Center, New York, NY

• 8 August: Blue Ridge Music Center, Galax, VA

Swanky Kitchen Band extends an invitation to the Caymanian public to join them on Saturday 3rd August for their performance at the Lincoln Center in New York as part of GlobalFest, which will showcase talent from around the world.

“We’ve been on a long journey to get to this point and we want the fans and friends who encouraged us along the way to be there for this momentous occasion,” said Samuel Rose, fiddler for the band.

“Based on the incredible response so far, we know there will be many Caymanians there representing with their coat of arms shirts and flags dispersed throughout the audience. We want this to be a moment of connection for Caymanians as we celebrate our heritage in one of the world’s most iconic cities,” added Mr. Rose.

Josh Kohn from the Center for Cultural Vibrancy reflected, “It isn’t always easy to convince venues and promoters to add an act they have never heard of, performing a genre they know little about, but then we show them a video or pictures of Swanky, and doors begin to open. We are very pleased with the response to this tour and I do hope it leads to more opportunities in the future.”

Band member, Ms. Paula Rose Scott summed up the sentiments of the band saying “It’s a dream come true. I just want to thank the Center for Cultural Vibrancy, our Government and our national airline for their support. I know we will represent our Islands well and make everyone proud. I am very excited and can’t wait to see all our friends and family in New York.”

For more information visit swankykitchenband.com and follow the band on Facebook and Instagram.

To learn more about the Center for Cultural Vibrancy visit Center for Cultural Vibrancy.