January 22, 2008

Stern Grove Festival Mourns the Loss of Andy Palacio

Andy Palacio, an iconic musician and cultural activist in his native Belize and impassioned spokesperson for the Garifuna people of Central America, passed away at the age of 47 on January 19, 2008. His untimely death was due to a massive and extensive stroke to the brain, a heart attack, and respiratory failure due to the previous two conditions.

A national hero in Belize for his music and advocacy of Garifuna language and culture, news of Palacio’s condition sent shockwaves through the community. This past year, he was named a UNESCO Artist for Peace, won the prestigious WOMEX Award, and his album, Watina, was a winner of a BBC Radio 3 World Music Award.

He will be honored with an official state funeral in Belize and a massive tribute concert is planned in Belize City on January 25th, 2008.

We were fortunate to have Andy perform with the Garifuna Collective at Stern Grove Festival this past summer on July 29, 2007. His talent as a musician was only surpassed by his passion for the preservation of his people’s culture and his genuine, warm spirit. It was an honor to present him on the Stern Grove Festival stage.

Friends and supporters are invited to post messages in memory of Andy Palacio to his MySpace page and to the blog of his international record label Cumbancha.