It is no secret that children hold a special place in reggae crooner Omari Banks. The former professional athlete dedicates part of his time to speaking with children of Anguilla and neighboring islands on his life journey and the rewards of hard work and dedication.
The artist was recently a guest speaker at Vivien Vanterpool Primary School Career Week in Anguilla. The school who sits on the bay of Island Harbour with a great beach view of the Bay and Scilly Cay was the setting for Omari who was born and raised on the beautiful island to relate to the young students as he himself found his musical calling at a young age when he first took the stage in Milan, Italy to sing alongside his father Bankie Banx. As a teenager Omari turned his attention to the sport of Cricket, where he excelled first locally, then regionally and ultimately on the world stage.
“Any meaningful contribution to life starts with an attitude and the place to begin is childhood. The youth are our future.. Inspire them and give them the tools to progress and they will. I enjoyed teaching and inspiring kids in my time as a teacher. Seeing them grow into respectful and decent adults was very fulfilling. I see it as a obligation and contribution to my country and also to the world.” – Omari Banks
Omari will perform at Moonsplash 2016 on International Night Friday, April 22nd, 2016. Omari Banks is featured alongside reggae star Iba Mahr and dancehall reggae “Bad Gyal” Ce’Cile among many others.
The longest running independent music festival in the Eastern Caribbean which has become a top showcase for vintage reggae acts and emerging talent also boasts Reggae Night on April 23rd with Tony Rebel, Queen Ifrica, Bankie Banx, True Intentions, British Dependency and Connis, as well as Beach Party Night on Sunday the 24th with various Moonsplash Cast, Mighty Mystic, Overdrive String Band and Connis.
Moonsplash was founded by Bankie Banx and Sheriff Bob Saidenberg in 1991 as a roving music festival. The original concerts were staged on Sandy Island, Pinel Cay off St. Martin and in St. Barths. Moonsplashfound its permanent home in 1995 at The Dune Preserve at Rendezvous Bay on Anguilla.
Since that time Moonsplash has become the longest running independent music festival in the Eastern Caribbean and has become a top showcase for vintage reggae acts and emerging talent. Over the past few years, headline performers have included Buju Banton, Gramps Morgan, Chronixx, Tarrus Riley, Duane Stephenson, Steel Pulse, Third World, Inner Circle, Buju Banton, Gregory Isaacs, Culture, Toots & The Maytals and many others. Other surprise guests have included Jimmy Buffett, John Mayer and the Bacon Brothers.
