Papaloko & Loray Mistik
“Mystic Thunder” is the meaning of Loray Mistik, an exciting group that emanates from the hills and villages of the mysterious, ancient land of Haiti. Their music brings forward the truth of their traditions with rhythms played out on the drums like the sound of the mystic thunder of the gods.
Vodou speaks to the heart of Haitian people, putting forth a message of social conscience and spiritual strength. It also typifies the music of the Lwa (the Spirits or Orishas) of Africa, with many songs bringing prayers to the 101 Vodou Nations that look over humankind and protect us all. In slavery days, Haiti became a melting pot of African tribes. With the new arrivals, many tribal religions blended with a new rhythm created by Don Petwo, a Vodou priest, who combined the attributes of the spirit of Metal, Iron and Justice, Ogun, with Congo rhythms creating Petwo music. Rhythms of the already present Arawak and Taino Indians blended with immigrant African rhythms, and the sound of Rara was born. As the popular folk music rooted in Vodou, Rara brought news to the people of the villages and towns and is also played in weddings, funerals and social events.
The leader of Loray Mistik, Jude Thegenus, better known as Papaloko, is an artist whose work is born through trance, the act of falling into a deep meditative state and then being possessed by a spirit whose purpose is to paint strokes of life onto canvas. At about age 6, Jude began to study sculpture and ceramics at the Art Institute of Saint Jean Bosco and later completed his education at Lycee Antenor Firmin. Papaloko’s work can be found internationally in galleries, private homes, cafés, restaurants and nightclubs. He is currently putting the final touches on an 18-year project at Mango’s Tropical Café on Ocean Drive in South Beach, where he was commissioned to design a tropical atmosphere.
Loray Mistik performs true Vodou music. Traditional instruments like the kleroon, graj, fe iron, conch shell, cha cha, jon, hand bass, and the drums unify with the eclectic sounds of the guitar, bass and saxophone to create what they call “Vodou pop.” Jude believes that many come to their performances for the spiritual aspect of the music. When Loray Mistik performs it is a much for themselves as is it for the audience. They feel the music first; they never just put on a show.
Ben Prestage
Ben Prestage has music in his blood. His great-grandmother was a professional musician who toured the American vaudeville circuit opening shows for Al Jolson. His grandmother was a boogie-woogie pianist.
For years, folk festival fans have flocked to the stages where Ben Prestage appears. Growing up in a swampy area of rural central Florida, Ben has created his own signature sound, Deep South Swamp Music, by melding juke joint blues, Delta blues and blazing Piedmont blues with award-winning finger-style guitar and soaring steel-guitar work. After a stint as a busker on historic Beale Street in Memphis, Ben emerged as one the nation’s top one-man-bands and earned acclaimed accolades including the Lyon/Pitchford Award for “Best Diddley Bow Player” and “Most Unique Performer” at the Songwriters Showcase of America.
He also finished fourth, third and second place at the International Blues Challenge. Ben is one of the only artists to be nominated for both a Blues Music Award and an Independent Music Award. These accomplishments and uniquely powerful live performances have earned Ben invitations to perform at prominent blues, jazz and folk festivals across North America, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Jeanie Fitchen
Jeanie Fitchen has come a long way since her first appearance at the Florida Folk Festival in 1966. Since then, she has traveled to nearly every part of Florida as well as to Tennessee, New York, Alaska and points in between, earning a bevy of accolades and awards for her performances, songwriting and recordings focused not only upon the culture, history and environment of Florida, but also the basic human dignity of all people and their right to live in freedom with justice and equal opportunity.
As a teenager, Jeanie found her niche in the simple beauty and artistic style of traditional music from around the world. She began to write and record her own songs, earning a 1999 Grammy nomination for her CD "Roads" in the category of best new folk album. For her long-standing contributions to the folk cultural resources of the state, Jeanie received a Florida Folk Heritage Award in 2001. For the songs she has written and sung in praise and defense of Florida's natural and cultural heritage, Jeanie was honored with the Fellow Man and Mother Earth Award by the Stetson Kennedy Foundation in 2010. In recognition of her legacy of performances as a Florida singer-songwriter and for her contributions to the Florida Folk Festival, Jeanie was inducted into the 2016 Florida Folk Festival’s Legends and Legacy Hall of Fame.
When asked why people should care about folk music, Fitchen says, “I think it allows people to reflect, and sometimes it compels people to make changes in their life or world around them. There will never be another form of music like this.” And there will never be another Jeanie Fitchen, a unique performer devoted to Florida folk music steeped in the tradition of past folk icons and Florida’s diverse cultural history.
