One of Cayman’s institutions these days, the multi-styled Bona Fide, can be found playing most nights of the week somewhere on the island.
Weekender chatted with singer Isadora Powell this week about all things music.
Q. First off, if an alien were to land on Grand Cayman, how would you describe your sound to them?
A. We are from Earth and lovers of music and all things sonically pleasing. We call our group a band, and although we have not traveled to other galaxies, we have been together for what seems like light years. Some of our members have known each other since childhood, but Bona Fide has been in existence since the year 2008.
Q. What styles do you do?
A. Almost anything under the sun … Caribbean (reggae, calypso, soca and ska), as well as Motown, disco, pop, funk, as well as a little jazz and even a dash of rock.
Q. And who is Bona Fide?
A. Rennard Powell (drummer); Isadora (lead vocalist); Yannick (saxophonist); Hugh Jay (alternate male vocalist); Edward (lead male vocalist and keyboard player); Garret (keyboard player); Daniel (bass guitar); Mark (alternate bass guitar); Glen (guitarist); Adrian (sound engineer); Barry (alternate sound engineer).
Q. Who are your musical heroes/influences?
A. Barefoot Man (says Mark); Third World (says Daniel); Earth, Wind and Fire (says Yannick); Maxi Priest (says Garret).
Q. What have been your favorite moments to date?
A. Meeting children who dance all night, come up on stage and generally quiz us about every musical instrument they see! Performing at Kaibo for people who come to see us each year and tell their friends. Receiving notifications of great reviews on TripAdvisor! Entertaining at weddings and being a part of ensuring their wedding is memorable (full dance floor).
Q. Any releases we can get our hands on?
A. Past releases of original music on iTunes are “Paradise,” “Bona Fide” and “Genius (You lift me up).” We are saving up to record “One with Nature,” “In de Cayman Islands” and “We are Living in Exile.”
Q. How’s music in Cayman right now?
A. Music is a hard industry to rely on as a main source of income. However, as we thrive mostly on love and the rest as a business, we solider on because it would kill our spirits to stop. If more of the venues like those we currently perform at respected and supported live music, it would be wonderful. If it was more widely recognized by the powers that be, which musicians are actually in touch with, … [the tourist experience] would be more authentic than the virtual pictures painted by marketing schemes. We have been playing at Kaibo for four years straight and the same people come back to see us each year and/or visit and are sure to tell their friends.
If we could get more support from those involved in the tourism aspects of Cayman, it could only be a win-win situation for our beautiful island in the long run.
You can see Bona Fide at the following venues: Tuesdays at Kaibo, 6-9 p.m.; Wednesdays at Bar Jack (Ritz-Carlton), 5-8 p.m.; Thursdays at Grand Old House, 6-9 p.m.; Fridays at Grand Old House, 5:30- 8:30 p.m.; and Saturdays at Holiday Inn, 7-10 p.m. For more details on the band, visit bonafidecayman.com.
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