James Lovell is a passionate educator, activist, multi-instrumentalist and ardent language conservationist. Through his many artistic and pedagogical endeavors James works to safeguard traditional Garifuna music, dance and language by sharing it with captivated audiences around the world. 

 

Growing up in Belize, James was deeply rooted in his Garifuna heritage.  The Garifuna are an indigenous group of mixed African and native Caribbean ancestry, living along the coastline of Central America; today they have a thriving culture, but one which is under threat.  In 1994 after immigrating to the United States, James co-founded Illagulei (Roots), a performing arts company created to preserve and promote Garifuna culture.  Since then he has released four successful albums and created a new genre he calls “Afri-Garifuna Rhythms” which forms the foundation of his Afri-Garifuna Jazz Ensemble.  Drawing on his teaching experience, James developed a method that uses music to transmit language, history, dance and customs.  His program which includes, history, drumming and music theory, was implemented under UNESCO and the National Garifuna Council.  He is co-founder of Yugacure, an annual workshop he conducts in St. Vincent, he also teaches an annual nursery-rhyme workshop in Belize.  James now works to highlight language preservation worldwide, teaching conversational Garifuna, history and drumming at the Biko Transformation Center.  He is frequently featured in the media and performs at the United Nations and Smithsonian Folklife Festival among other venues.  His work has earned him the respect of his peers and afforded the opportunity to share Garifuna culture with the world.

Author: Lea Boicel, Televise the Revolution Media©