- country:Cuba
- style(s):World
- label:Real World Records / WOMAD
- artist posted by:Real World Records / WOMAD
The Creole Choir were founded in 1994 during the 'Special Period' when the Cuban economy fell into a black hole following the end of the USSR and of Soviet support for the revolution. Food was short while homes and work places often went dark due to lack of electricity. It was at this difficult time that members of the Professional Choir of Camagueey who were descendents of Haitians, decided to re-forge the resistance songs and laments of their forebears. Lead by their Choir Director Emilia Diaz Chavez, Grupo Vocal Desandann, as they are called in Cuba, revived the songs of their ancestors for modern times. Desandann literally means 'descendents' and as the choir say: "For us music is like food, it feeds the spirit and is a major inspiration for everyday life".