The Trinidad and Tobago soca group, KesTheBand, made a significant impact during the Labor Day weekend celebrations, showcasing Caribbean music and culture in both Brooklyn and Washington, D.C.
Brooklyn Celebration
- The festivities kicked off on September 4 at Soca Fest, held at the Brooklyn Museum.
- The event attracted thousands, representing a multigenerational and diverse Caribbean community.
- NYC Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani praised the Caribbean diaspora’s influence in the city.
- Led by Kees Dieffenthaller, KesTheBand has been instrumental in popularizing soca music globally.
Historic Collaboration in D.C.
- The following night, the band performed at DC JazzFest, where a surprise guest, Stevie Wonder, joined them on stage.
- They performed a vibrant mashup of Wonder’s “I Just Called to Say I Love You” and KesTheBand’s “Savannah Grass,” marking a historic cross-genre collaboration.
Continued Influence
- The weekend concluded with Dieffenthaller serving as an honorary grand marshal at the New York Caribbean Carnival Parade, sharing the spotlight with reggae legend Buju Banton.
- The events underscored how KesTheBand continues to bridge cultural gaps while celebrating Caribbean roots, solidifying their role as ambassadors of Caribbean music.
