The Jamaican Folk Singers celebrates 42 years today.

"It has been 42 years of deeply satisfying work; 42 years of ever growing involvement with, and respect for our traditions, and for the people who have kept them alive," reads a press release.

The Jamaican Folk Singers, in marking the start of its celebrations, will have a church service at St Andrew Parish Church today beginning at 7:30 a.m. to "give thanks for the 42 year-process of unearthing and preserving aspects of Jamaica's folk culture".

Other celebrations will include a retreat, a 10-month tour of the island performing free concerts and other performances in town squares, markets and church halls.

share the richness

"The aim is to share the richness, variety and significance of Jamaica's musical heritage with people from all walks of life and in many of Jamaica's nooks and crannies ... some who might not have had the opportunity to really experience the beauty and diverse nature of Jamaica's folk music heritage," the release stated.

The all-island tour is also part of the Jamaican Folk Singers' initiative to help "save Jamaica" by sharing with Jamaicans, through music, the values of "old Jamaica" - respect for self and others, being polite, disciplined, and, overall, loving their neighbours as themselves.

The group will stage a special benefit concert on April 26 to raise much-needed funds for Farquharson House, a facility that houses retired rectors and spouses of the Anglican Diocese of Jamaica and The Cayman Islands. Additionally, the Jamaican Folk Singers will be staging its 42nd anniversary concert season at The Little Theatre from September 4-13. The group also intends to increase its list of recordings with the addition of compositions by its founder, Dr Olive Lewin.

The release concludes: "This year will be dedicated to giving back to Jamaica and its people ... sharing and learning together, as we celebrate the people who have unfailingly helped to keep our folk traditions alive."

The Jamaican Folk Singers - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer