Goombay is a form of Bahamian music and a

drum The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments. In the Hornbostel-Sachs classification system, it is a membranophone. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a she ...

used to create it. The drum is a membranophone made with goat skin and played with the hands. The term Goombay has also symbolized an event in the Bahamas, for a summer festival with short parades known as ‘Junkanoo’. The goombay name has also evolved to become synonymous with local Afro-Caribbean music related to calypso. In The Bahamas, its most famous practitioner in modern times was Alphonso 'Blind Blake' Higgs, who performed at the

Nassau International Airport Lynden Pindling International Airport , formerly known as Nassau International Airport, is the largest airport in the Bahamas and the largest international gateway into the country. It is a major hub for Bahamasair, Western Air, and Pineapple ...

for many years. The Goombay Dance Band help to popularise the musical style in the West in the early 1980s. Their single, "

Seven Tears ''Seven Tears'' is an album by Netherlands, Dutch Rock music, rock band Golden Earring, released in 1971. The album was not issued in the U.S. Track listing All songs written by Kooymans except where noted. #"Silver Ships" - 5:40 #"The Road S ...

", reached number one in the UK Singles Chart in March 1982.

Discography

''Bahamas Goombay 1951 - 1959'' (Frémeaux et Associés FA5302, 2011)

References and notes

{{music-genre-stub Bahamian music Bahamian musical instruments Membranophones

Discography

See also

References and notes