NEW YORK – World renowned and Grammy-award winning gospel singer Yolanda Adams is ready to return to the Caribbean this weekend when she ministers in song to an international audience at the action-packed 3rd Annual Turks and Caicos Music and Cultural Festival which culminates on Providenciales this weekend.
Speaking on Andria Hall LIVE! on New York’s WMCA Radio, Adams said she was excited to be participating for the first time at this year’s festival, which opened earlier this week. “I really enjoy being one of those gospel artists who can go anywhere and take the message and love of Jesus (Christ) everywhere,” she told listeners. “I have done jazz festivals, blues festivals, all kinds of festivals, and we’ve been invited back each time because of the word and anointing that are on our lives,” said Adams.
Yolanda Adams
Photo by: Greg “Fritz” Blakey
Expect to laugh and cry, Adams said, explaining that “it’s the same show that we do in a church, on a soccer field and it always gets the same response. People laugh, they cry, they go back home (and say) that is exactly what I needed … so I am so excited to be a part of it this year.”
The Houston, Texas native is the eldest of six siblings and her pioneering spirit and boundless optimism have become her trademark. Her solid church background and love of all kinds of music, which she says “was inspired by family – everything from Stevie Wonder to Beethoven,” left her with a respect for traditional music styles, as well as a desire for more contemporary interpretation. “Too many times we’re put in a box by musical labels,” she says.
An impressive list of local and international artists is lined up to perform at the Turtle Cove Marina. Other stars include Grammy-nominated saxophonist Najee; reggae and soca group Stanley Roots; 2004 American Idol winner Fantasia; internationally acclaimed reggae band Steel Pulse; the cool reggae vibes of T.O.K. from Jamaica, and Grammy-award winning hip-hop artist Ludacris.
Festival fans are being treated not only to explosive musical sounds, but to a local boat regatta, beauty pageants, float parade, premier beaches, world class diving, and an abundance of local food, music and culture.
For more information about the festival or the Turks and Caicos Islands, call the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board at 1 800-241-0824 or visit www.turksandcaicostourism.com. Tickets for the shows are available at www.ticketweb.com.
The 40 islands and cays of the Turks and Caicos, of which eight are inhabited, are renowned for their award-winning beaches, diving, array of world-class resorts and are home to the world’s only Conch Farm. The Islands are served by most of the major North American carriers, including American Airlines, US Airways, Spirit Airlines and Delta Air Lines. There are daily flights from Miami, Atlanta and Charlotte and weekly service from Boston, New York, Fort Lauderdale and Philadelphia.
