Dominica celebrating one of its original musical genres as today is being observed as ‘Bouyon Day’

As the Carnival Season climaxes, Dominica is set to celebrate one of its original musical genres – Bouyon music.  According to a release, Bouyon Day will be officially observed today Tuesday 21st February 2017. Local radio stations and media outlets are being asked to play Bouyon music and to interview Bouyon artistes today. 
 
Bouyon Day was first observed in 2016. An added feature this year is the Bouyon Street Jam which takes place in Lagoon from 7 pm to 11 pm on February 21, 2017, featuring Fanatik Band and reigning Bouyon Monarch Carlyn XP, Signal Band and DJ Snow.
 
According to Bouyon pioneer Cornell Phillip, “Bouyon music is just the modernization of the traditional rhythms of Dominica.”    He further stated, “In truth and in fact, Bouyon music is a direct descendant of Jing Ping music, Lapeau Kabwit, bélé, quadrille.”
 
But Phillip says over the years, the music has not fully matured, and has not gone global. He stated in a recent interview "The fact that we have so many outside influences like the American style music, having such a great impact on Bouyon, that is a concern to me.” 
 
To address this concern, Phillip proposes “building a catalogue of Bouyon music, producing original Bouyon music with a message that has regional and global appeal".  According to Phillip, the success of Bouyon music will depend on developing a strategy and common goal for its development, and greater collaboration among Bouyon artistes.