About Me
The First Serenade Band, with years in the music arena, emerges from the picturesque village of Point Michel nestled on Dominica’s south western coast near to the usually tranquil Caribbean Sea.The First Serenade Band has been a major contributor to Dominica’s music, over the years since the groups inception, the band has produced thirteen compact disc albums on which various music styles can be heard from Zouk music to Reggae, Bouyon, Soca, Salsa, calypso and Soukous to mention a few musical styles, which can be comfortably performed by the said group.The band’s debut album Zouke Zouke took Dominica by storm. This album which coincided with Dominica’s tenth anniversary of Independence dubbed Reunion 88 had revellers enjoying themselves all over the island.The album entitled Rough Up De Session, gained the band a higher level of recognition with tunes like the undying Bef La Large, which rocked Dominica, St.Lucia and the French Antilles with its infectious rhythm.The First Serenade Band from humble beginning of performing in church on Saturdays for youth service under the guidance of father Reginald La Fleur had arrived on its way up in the music business, though it still had a long way to go..Like anything else there has been a slight change in personnel. However the main players of the group have remained as a driving force in the band, propelling it forward and keeping its musical style consistant.The First Serenade band has provided music for fans from local, regional and the international forums. Various village feast around the island, to special events like Carnival, Independence, Creole in the east, Cable and wireless Creole in the park, World Creole Music Festival (doing seven out of the ten festivals). The band has also performed for Marigot Reunion 2007, along side renowned Jamaican artist Gyptian and Sherwin Winchester out of Trinidad.The band has also developed a working relationship with Alliance Française for two Consecutive years. Fete De La musique concerts, thus assisting in strengthening the bond between our two cultures, Dominica and its French neighbors.On the regional scene, Serenade has performed in the neighboring islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe St. Maarten and St. Lucia For both Dominican ex-Patriot groups and other Caribbean nationals. To international performances, like Nottinghill Carnival in London to Caribana celebrations in Toronto to Labour Day weekend in New York City. The band ably performed at Air Jamaica’s Islands in the park concert along side many of the Caribbean’s best acts like Krosfyah, Square One and Morgan Heritage, also backing up performers’ like the Baron and Sugar Aloes of Trinidad and Tobago.The First Serenade Band has also assisted ion many Humanitarians organizations like the Rotary Club, the Lion Club, various sports clubs and youth groups and The Dominica Association of The Disabled and the Kiwanis club to mention few. The band has also raised funds on numerous occasions for those in need of medical attention.With the grace of God and the support of family, fans and friends the First Serenade Band seeks and hopes to grow from strength to strength in its musical endeavors and the promotion of Dominica’s music and culture in the wider global community.THE ALBUMSTo date The First Serenade Band has released thirteen albums they are as follows:•Bodywork - 2007 Non-stop 17 track album from a new and improved serenade•Water Coming - 2005 Included on spice island compilation•Jus Like That - 2004 Eleven tracks of non-stop party music expressing the versatility of the First Serenade band•More Fyah - 2001 Eleven hot tracks from calypso to zouk.•We Nah Done Yet - 2000 Consist of ten tracks rated by critics as one of the best collection of music to be produced by the band•Red Heat -1999 Considered as the most complete album of the band. The album contains a mix of Soca, Bouyon, Compas, Zouk, Calypso and a country western song.•More Jam -1998 This thirteen track album ranges from Disco, Salsa, Jam back Soca and conscious Reggae a potpourri of red-hot rhythms for any occasion.•Chant Dem -1997 There was no stopping the band as they were once again a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.•Watch Yah Back -1996 Mirroring the success of the album, two videos were released to promote the album.•Try Ah Ting -1995 The fourth album contained generally party music.•Rough Up De Session -1994 Released for the 1994 carnival celebration, this album skyrocket the band to a high level of recognition and prominence on the entertainment scene, with the unstoppable Bef La Large.•Debouye -1992 A mixture of music displaying the uniqueness of the band.•Zouke Zouke -1988 A phenomenal hit for Dominica’s tenth anniversary of Independence celebratiTHE AWARDS•The Augustus Etienne Memorial Achievement Award; awarded by the national Youth Council of Dominica.•Special Recognition Award for outstanding contribution to cultural development in the field of contemporary music.•Award Of Excellence; awarded by the Dominica Festival Commission, host of World Creole Music Festival.•Longevity Cultural Service Award; awarded by the Dominica Heritage Day committee
