THE Jamaican Folk Singers will pay tribute to their late founder, Dr Olive Lewin, during their 2013 concert season which runs this weekend (September 13-15) at the Little Theatre in St Andrew.

The group’s Musical Director Christine MacDonald Nevers notes that this year’s performances are the first without Lewin, who died in April of this year.

“For the past 46 years, the Jamaican Folk Singers has honoured Dr Lewin with every performance, every rehearsal. We honour her for the sacrifices she made and the work done in unearthing and preserving Jamaica’s culture through folk music. This year will be no different, but takes on added significance since

her passing.”

Under the theme ‘Tribute and Celebration’ MacDonald Nevers says that patrons will be treated to the excitement of children’s games, and will also experience the drama of court proceedings where all matters are addressed.

MacDonald Nevers has been musical director of the group for the past 10 years, but stresses that she grew up on the Jamaican Folk Singers as her mother, renowned soprano Marilyn Brice-MacDonald, remains one of the groups longest- serving members.

“The Folk Singers is a part of who I am, and I continue to work towards the mission of the group which is to preserve Jamaica’s folk music and ensure that Jamaicans can have access to the music.”

The 2013 concert season presents another opportunity for the group to use Jamaica’s folk music and its messages to uplift Jamaica, whilst highlighting some of the values of “old Jamaica”, with the music encouraging respect and understanding among people of different backgrounds.

The Jamaican Folk Singers began as a group of friends who were invited by Olive Lewin to share her enthusiasm for Jamaica’s folk music, which developed with her experience in collecting and researching Jamaica’s folk music. From the group’s first public performance, there has been focus on maintaining respect for our traditions and for the people who have kept them alive.