Celebrating the positive impacts of faith and sharing African American style of music (gospel, jazz, blues), the history and origins funded by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassy New Zealand.
After huge success across the United States, Israel, Brazil, Vietnam, United Arab Emirates, Liberia, the gospel band “Oscar Williams and the Band of Life” arrives to Samoa and the Cook Islands. The band is celebrating the positive impacts of faith and sharing African American style of music (gospel, jazz, blues), the history, and origins.
“We’re really excited that during their time in the Pacific, the band will meet with so many students, musicians, and church groups,” says U.S. Ambassador Tom Udall.
The band were part of U.S. Independence Day parties in Samoa hosted by the U.S. Chargé d’affaires Noriko Horiuchi and in the Cook Islands hosted by the U.S. Consul General Sarah Nelson.
The visit of the gospel band is one of the initiatives for the Diplomatic Mission of the United States for 2023.
“We think this’ll be a really fun way to enhance cultural understanding and exchange between Samoans, Cook Islanders, Pacific Islanders, and Americans,” says Ambassador Udall
Performances in Samoa:
Public Performances in the Cook Islands
Speak Life Concert
Date/Time: Monday July 10 at 6:00pm
Location: National Auditorium
Gold coin donation, Subject to availability
Contact Information: Ngatuaine Maui, ngatuaine.maui@cookislands.gov.ck; +682 20 725
Masterclass for student Musicians
Date/Time: Tuesday July 11 at 11:30am
Location: Tereora College
Free of charge – subject to availability
Contact Information: Roni Perkins, Tereora College
About Oscar Williams & the Band of Life:
Oscar Williams and the Band of Life was formed in 2000 as a Gospel singing group and has since expanded to other genres. This groundbreaking group started traveling nationally upon the release of their freshman CD entitled, “Unstoppable.” The CD was well received and even charted on the top 40 Billboard Gospel chart. Soon after, Oscar began his international travel with a tour through Germany, Switzerland and Italy. To date, Oscar and his band have participated in several high– profile performances including: Vatican Christmas Celebration for Pope John Paul II, (Rome 2001 – 2002), touring background singers for European popstar Elisa, and Christmas tours in the Czech Republic, Austria and France. In 2010, Oscar was chosen out of over 100 applicants, as a Rhythm Road: Music Abroad artist and named an Ambassador of Music for the United States of America.
More information about the band, visit: http://www.oscarworldwide.com/
Follow them on social media: https://www.facebook.com/oscarandthebandoflife/
For further information on this Press Release, please contact Mara Hosoda Su’a HosodaMK@state.gov
