Tallawah Mento Band

The word "TALLAWAH" is African in Origin, meaning "strong". In Jamaican parlance the word is typically associated with a small but powerful person or thing.
"MENTO" has much in common with Calypso, Merengue, Beguine, and Rhumba. They all are "crossovers", successful mergers so to speak, of African and European rhythms. Mento is the traditional Jamaican beat which gave rise to Ska and to Reggae. It has made tremendous impact on international music.
Founded with only four original members of the popular Jamaica Folk Revue, the 4-man band decided to focus on Mento. The powerful music this little band produced earned them the accolade, "likkle but tallawah", hence the title, the Tallawah Mento Band.
The group has strengthened in numbers and instruments over the past five years, has entertained all over the USA,and recently in Jamaica, and has won numerous accolades. They have also been featured on NBC 6 Television, Radio Waves, Mystic Radio, and Radio WOKB 1600, in Orlando.
The group's wide repertoire now includes Jazz, Classical, Popular, Soca/Calypso, and of course, Mento.
The music of Tallawah Mento Band is so infectious, it lends to audiences spontaneously singing along, involuntary swaying their bodies and tapping their feet. The band is in constant demand for concerts, weddings, and other festive events.
In response to many public requests, the group has currently produced its second CD ........ a compilation of traditional Mento music.