Georgetown: Vice-Chancellor of The University of Guyana, Professor Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, has appointed overseas based Guyanese music icon Keith Waithe as the Visiting Distinguished Artist-in-Residence in the Vice-Chancellery for the period February 20 to April 8, 2017. He is expected to undertake both instructional and performance engagements. Mr Waithe, a flutist, is an expert in traditional Guyanese folk music and jazz. He will be conducting master classes at both the Turkeyen and Tain campuses in a range of musical styles using the flute and drumming as the key instruments. He has also been named a member of the planning committee for the forthcoming Diaspora Engagement Conference. His focus there will be to help organise the cultural aspect for the week-long event, and help mobilise Guyanese in the United Kingdom to attend the historic conference. According to the Vice-Chancellor, “Keith is an outstanding music and culture ambassador of our nation, whose prowess as both a performer and a teacher I am happy to leverage for the benefit of our students and staff.” Moreover, said Professor Griffith, “he is one of a few musical leaders who commands respect across our racial and cultural landscapes and can assemble reputable musicians in the Diaspora and in Guyana along those lines.” Mr Waithe currently resides in the United Kingdom where he has been performing and working as a visiting lecturer with the School of African and Oriental Studies at the University of London, the Royal Holloway University of London, and other institutions. About Keith Waithe Keith Waithe, LRSM, PGCEA, is an award winning flautist, composer, teacher, expert proponent of vocal gymnastics and leader of The Macusi Players – a world music Jazz band- blending rhythms from the Caribbean, South America, Asia and Africa. He mixes many sounds from his collection of over 200 flutes fusing enigmatic musical forms and world music resonances. In addition, he has worked with radio, theatre and television. His eight album, “Gathering Echoes,” has had rave reviews. Amongst many other individuals, Keith has worked with Nitin Sawhney, Courtney Pine and percussionist Bosco de Oliverira. He reaches out to his audiences from early years through to the older generations and is renowned for maximising audience participation. Keith is a trained teacher and holds an enhanced DBS certificate. The Keith Waithe and the Macusi Players appeared on the main stage of the “Night of Legends” as part of the Guyana Jubilee Festival 50th celebrations last year at the Guyana National Stadium.
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