Keith Waithe

Keith Waithe and the Macusi Players released their new CD "Blossoming into Truth" late in 2002 after performing and recording their latest concert at the Ealing Jazz festival in London. Together with some unreleased studio tracks , this cd bridges the magic of fusion/ world music with an exciting and masterfully played live performance. The album features Nana Appiah, a master drummer from Ghana, Jo Jo Yates, Kora/Vocal expert, Abdel Kader, North African, (Rai Musician) and Jamaica's leading poet. Actress and writer, Jean Binta Breeze. Jean's poem "Sun Trap" takes you on a journey under a Caribbean sky.
"Rhythms of Freedom " is Keith Waithe's effort to redefine his music and poetry through African, Caribbean and Asian influences. To re-engage with these communities within the context of a multiracial Britain, as one of the many challenges of the new Millennium. Flautist & composer Keith Waithe produces & promotes an internationalist musical style - exploring an original fusion of jazz & classical, African, Caribbean, Asian & Western influences.

Guyana born, Keith first learned to play the trumpet from his father and during formal music training developed a passion for the flute - which he mastered through studying at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall and the University of Surrey. Since then he has released numerous CD's on the Essequibo Music label - including most recently joint composer on the BBC's Last of the Medicine Men soundtrack, Olmec Heart Beat, Journey into the Beyond & Kaikara Dreaming & the music-video Live in Lithuania.

Keith and his Macusi Players can certainly blow down the walls...." Straight No Chaser"

His is the recipient of many major music commissions - including works for TV, radio & the stage: for example 'Last of the Medicine Men ' for BBC 2 (see releases under Micheal Ormiston page),
The Life of Derek Walcott? for BBC 2 the drama documentary 'Divided We Stand' for Laurel Productions/ITV. The sound-track for Antione De Saint- Exupery's 'Little Prince', the dramatization of Fred D'Aguiar's '1492' and James Berry's 'Songs of a Bluefoot Man' all for BBC Radio 4as well as various works for theatre and dance productions, going some way to explain why he has been described as the poet of the flute. With his band, The Macusi Players, he has toured the world. The band members include some of the key contributors to today's British contemporary music scene namely: Chris Jerome - Piano and keyboard; Helen McDonald - vocals and djembe; Nana Appiah - Ghanaian drums; Maqui Raslya - tabla & percussion; Eustace Williams - bass guitar; Kofi Adu - kit drum and JoJo Yates - kora, vocals.