…of Amadi Productions
In 2002, as part of Emancipation Celebrations, Rhona Mohon had a strong desire to sing the songs of one of her favourite artistes, Miriam Makeba. Success in the Contralto Solo category at the National Music Festival (2002) was the motivating factor that gave her the confidence to pursue this desire.
Yet, still being a bit timid about singing solo, she collaborated with Joanne Pyle, a fellow member of the Lydian Singers, to learn and perform Makeba’s South African Folk Songs at Emancipation Celebrations functions throughout the country. Immediately, Rhona went in search of a name for this duet. Soon enough, she found the name ‘AMADI’, which means ‘general rejoicing’ in the Ibo language of Nigeria. This name was appropriate because the raison d’etre of the duet was general rejoicing. Michael Zephyrine accompanied them on keyboard while Sean Singh accompanied on the African drums.
In the following two years (2003 and 2004), Rhona went solo as Joanne was extremely busy otherwise. Earl Carnavon, a renowned keyboardist, was delighted to accompany her at the various Emancipation Celebrations functions.
“Maybe I can create my own stage and have a concert in tribute to Miriam Makeba!”
That dream was realized. In July 2005, the concert “Pata Pata” – featuring the songs of Miriam Makeba was held at The Little Carib Theatre in Woodbrook. Joanne Pyle, Germaine Wilson, Giselle Gordon-Baptiste were invited to share the stage with Rhona to sing from Makeba’s repertoire. Earl Carnavon and Friends accompanied them. Other artistes including Dancers, Panists, Poets, and Rapso artistes also shared the stage in this concert.
In 2005 more happened. Rhona and two friends, Alison Brewster and Vanessa Forde, partnered to form AMADI PRODUCTIONS, a registered non-profit organization of which they are the directors. The purpose of Amadi Productions is to organize, promote, and present educational, social, artistic, and charitable cultural events with integrity and excellence.
Since the Pata Pata Concert, Amadi Productions has staged many concerts. Pathways – A Musical Journey (2006) at the Little Carib Theatre, Ambataila Women – Remembering Our Women Who Made a Mark in Culture (2007) and Drum Talk (2008) held at the La Joya Auditorium in St. Joseph. The fifth concert entitled Soulful Vibes at the Daaga Auditorium, The University of the West Indies Campus, St. Augustine on April 4, 2009 and repeated twice that year. In 2010 there was Pause for Awhile and in 2011, two concerts were held – Rays of Light in April and Iya Africa in July also at Daaga Auditorium.
August 2011
