Central Florida Band Preps for Annual Caribbean Festival
Friday, June 20, 2014
By: Taisha Henry

June 20, 2014 | WMFE, Orlando - For the past four years Orlando has hosted Caribbean American Heritage Festival in honor of Caribbean American Heritage Month.

Three of Caribbean Groove's members are Derek John, Paul Baugh, and Ricardo Deveaux. Not pictured: keyboard player Ferrer Weeks. Photo: Taisha Henry | WMFE

Caribbean Groove is a four piece band specializing in Reggae, Soca and other sounds of the Caribbean. They will be playing at this weekend’s festival at Lake Eola.

Though Caribbeans have played an important part in U.S history, it has taken a long time for them to be recognized. Festival entertainment coordinator Creig Camacho recalls when Caribbean recognition was finally given.

“For years we were trying to get acknowledged and be recognized here in the United States”, says Camacho. “That’s why in 2006, when June was officially declared National Caribbean Heritage Month, it was a big achievement for us.”

Caribbean Groove’s band members come from St. Lucia, Jamaica and Trinidad. The band enjoys the expansion of the Orlando Caribbean community and they’re happy to see others engage in the culture.  Bass player Derek John says the festival is a good way to do that.

“Somehow our little group here, kind of plays our part too, so it’s kind of good to be part of that mosaic if you want to call it that," says John. “So you know, we’re part of that, in our own little way.”

The festival is not the only outing for the band- they also play for charities like the Cancer Society Relay for Life and Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome.

The band rehearses in Derek’s home, but for band members Paul Baugh and Ricardo Deveaux, it’s not just a rehearsal, it’s also quality time spent with family. For Baugh and Deveaux it brings back memories of how the band began, and serves as a place to get a good meal.

They jokingkly say that food keeps them together, giving them opportunities to bond over their shared culture.

“The food is really good here," says Baugh.

"Being a single guy, I show up for the food, if I could leave right after the food I would," says Deveaux. 

"That’s the only reason I’m in the band, I get to feed them and hang out," says John.

The band believes that music is a language of its own. That forges a stronger bond among friends.

Baugh says he used to play dominoes a lot, but he says it’s no comparison to playing in the band.

“Being with friends playing music or friends doing something else, to me, music is more fulfilling,” says Baugh. “I feel like I accomplished something. I know Derek used to play a lot of soccer. I’m sure the physicality of playing soccer was a good feel also. But not as sweet as this.”

The Caribbean consists of about 30 islands, each with its own distinct culture that can sometimes lead to discrimination.

But band member Derek John says music can help bridge those differences.

“The more you open your mind and your heart, right, the more you become more accepting of people who are a little different or whatever, so I think that’s a universal thing,” John says.

Caribbean Groove will be performing along with other bands at Lake Eola this Sunday.