Kevin Haynes

Ori Ire Kevin Haynes

Groupo Elegua was founded by Kevin Haynes in 1994. It takes the name Elegua from one of the most important Orisha (god) of the Yoruba religion. The God of the road, opening and closing the way, his domain is communication between men and gods. Elegua is a trickster, provoking human beings and thus initiating change and transformation. The music produced by Groupo Elegua is a tool to connect and communicate to the spiritual realm and the people of the world. The sound of the band has been characterized by the presence of three Bata' drums playing rhythms from the Cuban Yoruba sacred music tradition fused with modal jazz improvisation.'This is African Music that reflects the ritualistic energy of Cuban folkloric idioms and the redemptive impulses that guided the likes of John Coltrane and other jazz messengers on the path of righteousness' (Kevin Le Gendre) During the years a number of musicians have taken part in Groupo Elegua, including Alex Willson, Dave Puttman, Clifford Jarvis, William Cumberbache, Donald Gamble, Trevor Watkins, Lenny Lawrance, Nicko Gomez, Tony Thomas, Robert Fordjour, Cherryl Alleyne, Daniel Crosby, Wade Austin. At the present Groupo Elegua includes: Kevin Haynes: Alto Sax, Vocals, Percussion & Bata Ronald Thomas: Bata & Vocals Trevor Antonio: Bata & Vocals Bill Bland: Bata & Vocals Neville Malcolm: Double Bass Bennet McLean: Piano Davide Giovannini: Drums Niles Hailstone: Narration & Vocals Iyawande Ogunnakie: Narration & vocals    .