Sharlene Flores
Encyclopedia
Sharlene Flores, born in Trinidad and Tobago
, is a singer of parang
music. Flores de San José originates in St. Joseph
. Sharlene Flores, the lead singer, has a style and sound of her own, and this coupled with the special musical abilities of Wayne Flores, makes the cutting edge sound of the band. The name Flores has been linked with Parang and St. Joseph for decades and the tradition is carried on through the group. They have made several recordings they were the first to ever produced a CD album of Parang and Latin music in the history of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and in the Caribbean. They are also solely responsible for modernizing Parang music, thus influencing the youths to get heavily involved into the art form. Sharlene Flores is also responsible for bringing changes to the traditional Amerindian outfits, worn by both males and females, as she opted out for more trendy styles.
Sharlene Flores Queen and Icon of Parang/ Latin music in the caribbean, North and South America and beyond
Where ever the copious sound of parang music is heard in Trinidad and Tobago and now parts of the wider English and Spanish speaking Caribbean, the name Sharlene Flores immediately comes to mind for her euphonious, lucidly expressed sound; and her kinetically
inspired and energetic on stage presence.
Sharlene indubitably a punctilious supernova in every detail has been the recipient of many accolades and local and international awards such as the Nafita Award and the medal “Su la Trinite” from the island of Martinique. As a cultural ambassador Sharlene has performed at the Sunshine Awards in New York City and at the Colony Hotel in Toronto, Canada.
Sharlene has adopted an eclectic mosaic of musical flavours in the formation of a unique but Universal Caribbean PotPourri of cogent music, using Zuc, Merringue, Soca and introducing Steelpan and Tassa drums in a harmonious combination of instruments and melodies in her effervescent and renascent rhythms. Sharlene who hails from the old capital of St. Joseph (San Jose) in Trinidad and Tobago accepted an invitation from a friend in 1975 to join the famed
Parang Group San Jose Serenaders when he recognised her unique bi-lingual singing talents, Sharlene recorded her fist LP with the group, as a back ground vocal, and In 1978 Gloria Alcazar’ choosed Sharlene to be her successor of San Jose Serenaders, Sharlene recorded a five track LP, one of which she composed and arranged entitled “Recuerdos” (memories) in tribute to the late Gloria Alcazar, whom she loved dearly.
In 1982 the Band “Flores De San Jose” was formed and immediately became a major force through their unique and infectious brand of Latin Parang Music and with a sagacious eye for fashion forever changed the image of the parrandero by introducing trendy, sartorial elegance to the stage.
In 1988 Sharlene recorded her first six track LP Album with a smashing hit “Si Yo Pudiera” which occupied the charts for six week and copped “The National Award for Excellence in the Arts” (NAFITA) for her haunting rendition of “Bendita tu Eres” written by hubby Wayne Flores, winning the best parang song of the year and creating history by becoming the first to win the Nafita award.
Following her first six track album “Latin Fire” Sharlene again created history when she released the first ever compack disc of redoubtable memorable hits in 1983, like Parang Soca Fun, El Angel Gabriel, Recuerdos, Vamos, Vamos, Vamos, written and compose by Sharlene,
capturing the ethos of the Caribbean Community with a beautiful ballard, ‘Burbujas De Amor”, Spanish Confusion and Margarita Christmas with her assertively flamboyant confident style of music. A proud and dedicated ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago’s culture, Sharlene took parang to the Sunshine Awards in New York City and in another first opened a special category for parang music, when she performed her ever popular hit and composition “Parang Soca Fun”.
In a bold but calculated move in 1995 Sharlene crossed over into the calypso arena singing her first calypso “Hurricane”, a pan composition played by Solo Harmonites, Sangre Grande Cordettes, and Pamberi, she entered the National Joint Action Committee’s Calypso Competition with a beautiful song entited “Today tomorrow” composed by Alvin Daniel. In 1996 sharlene recorded two more calypsos entitled, “Baby Dance with Me” and Latin Soca, written and composed by The Original De Fosto, sadly they were never air played by any of the radio stations.
In 1999 the Sharlene was awarded the medal “Su la Trinite” by the Mayor of Martinique for her role in twinning both islands. On November 24th 2000, the Sharlene continued her thrust as cultural ambassador, when she performed at the Colony hotel in Toronto, Canada taking our rich multi-faceted yuletide heritage and traditions to Canadians at large. In a memorable historical moment in 2009 Sharlene performed for her royal highness Queen Sofia of Spain. In December 2010 Sharlene was awareded a Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition and appreciation of her long and outstanding contribution to the preservation, promotion and development of The Parang Artform. With the myriad achievements of Sharlene thus far, one gets the feeling that the best is yet to come.
Sharlene Flores Queen and Icon of Parang/ Latin music in the caribbean, North and South America and beyond Where ever the copious sound of parang music is heard in Trinidad and Tobago and now parts of the wider English and Spanish speaking Caribbean, the name Sharlene Flores immediately comes to mind for her euphonious, lucidly expressed sound; and her kinetically
inspired and energetic on stage presence.
Sharlene indubitably a punctilious supernova in every detail has been the recipient of many accolades and local and international awards such as the Nafita Award and the medal “Su la Trinite” from the island of Martinique. As a cultural ambassador Sharlene has performed at the Sunshine Awards in New York City and at the Colony Hotel in Toronto, Canada.
Sharlene has adopted an eclectic mosaic of musical flavours in the formation of a unique but Universal Caribbean PotPourri of cogent music, using Zuc, Merringue, Soca and introducing Steelpan and Tassa drums in a harmonious combination of instruments and melodies in her effervescent and renascent rhythms. Sharlene who hails from the old capital of St. Joseph (San Jose) in Trinidad and Tobago accepted an invitation from a friend in 1975 to join the famed
Parang Group San Jose Serenaders when he recognised her unique bi-lingual singing talents, Sharlene recorded her fist LP with the group, as a back ground vocal, and In 1978 Gloria Alcazar’ choosed Sharlene to be her successor of San Jose Serenaders, Sharlene recorded a five track LP, one of which she composed and arranged entitled “Recuerdos” (memories) in tribute to the late Gloria Alcazar, whom she loved dearly.
In 1982 the Band “Flores De San Jose” was formed and immediately became a major force through their unique and infectious brand of Latin Parang Music and with a sagacious eye for fashion forever changed the image of the parrandero by introducing trendy, sartorial elegance to the stage.
In 1988 Sharlene recorded her first six track LP Album with a smashing hit “Si Yo Pudiera” which occupied the charts for six week and copped “The National Award for Excellence in the Arts” (NAFITA) for her haunting rendition of “Bendita tu Eres” written by hubby Wayne Flores, winning the best parang song of the year and creating history by becoming the first to win the Nafita award.
Following her first six track album “Latin Fire” Sharlene again created history when she released the first ever compack disc of redoubtable memorable hits in 1983, like Parang Soca Fun, El Angel Gabriel, Recuerdos, Vamos, Vamos, Vamos, written and compose by Sharlene,
capturing the ethos of the Caribbean Community with a beautiful ballard, ‘Burbujas De Amor”, Spanish Confusion and Margarita Christmas with her assertively flamboyant confident style of music. A proud and dedicated ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago’s culture, Sharlene took parang to the Sunshine Awards in New York City and in another first opened a special category for parang music, when she performed her ever popular hit and composition “Parang Soca Fun”.
In a bold but calculated move in 1995 Sharlene crossed over into the calypso arena singing her first calypso “Hurricane”, a pan composition played by Solo Harmonites, Sangre Grande Cordettes, and Pamberi, she entered the National Joint Action Committee’s Calypso Competition with a beautiful song entited “Today tomorrow” composed by Alvin Daniel. In 1996 sharlene recorded two more calypsos entitled, “Baby Dance with Me” and Latin Soca, written and composed by The Original De Fosto, sadly they were never air played by any of the radio stations.
In 1999 the Sharlene was awarded the medal “Su la Trinite” by the Mayor of Martinique for her role in twinning both islands. On November 24th 2000, the Sharlene continued her thrust as cultural ambassador, when she performed at the Colony hotel in Toronto, Canada taking our rich multi-faceted yuletide heritage and traditions to Canadians at large. In a memorable historical moment in 2009 Sharlene performed for her royal highness Queen Sofia of Spain. In December 2010 Sharlene was awareded a Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition and appreciation of her long and outstanding contribution to the preservation, promotion and development of The Parang Artform. With the myriad achievements of Sharlene thus far, one gets the feeling that the best is yet to come.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
, is a singer of parang
Parang
Parang is a popular folk music originating out of Trinidad and Tobago, it was brought to Trinidad by Venezuelan migrants who were primarily of Amerindian and African heritage, something which is strongly reflected in the music itself. The word is derived from two Spanish words:'Parranda', meaning...
music. Flores de San José originates in St. Joseph
Saint Joseph, Trinidad and Tobago
St. Joseph is the oldest town in Trinidad and Tobago. Originally named San José de Oruña, it served as the capital of Spanish Trinidad between 1592 and 1783....
. Sharlene Flores, the lead singer, has a style and sound of her own, and this coupled with the special musical abilities of Wayne Flores, makes the cutting edge sound of the band. The name Flores has been linked with Parang and St. Joseph for decades and the tradition is carried on through the group. They have made several recordings they were the first to ever produced a CD album of Parang and Latin music in the history of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and in the Caribbean. They are also solely responsible for modernizing Parang music, thus influencing the youths to get heavily involved into the art form. Sharlene Flores is also responsible for bringing changes to the traditional Amerindian outfits, worn by both males and females, as she opted out for more trendy styles.
Sharlene Flores Queen and Icon of Parang/ Latin music in the caribbean, North and South America and beyond
Where ever the copious sound of parang music is heard in Trinidad and Tobago and now parts of the wider English and Spanish speaking Caribbean, the name Sharlene Flores immediately comes to mind for her euphonious, lucidly expressed sound; and her kinetically
inspired and energetic on stage presence.
Sharlene indubitably a punctilious supernova in every detail has been the recipient of many accolades and local and international awards such as the Nafita Award and the medal “Su la Trinite” from the island of Martinique. As a cultural ambassador Sharlene has performed at the Sunshine Awards in New York City and at the Colony Hotel in Toronto, Canada.
Sharlene has adopted an eclectic mosaic of musical flavours in the formation of a unique but Universal Caribbean PotPourri of cogent music, using Zuc, Merringue, Soca and introducing Steelpan and Tassa drums in a harmonious combination of instruments and melodies in her effervescent and renascent rhythms. Sharlene who hails from the old capital of St. Joseph (San Jose) in Trinidad and Tobago accepted an invitation from a friend in 1975 to join the famed
Parang Group San Jose Serenaders when he recognised her unique bi-lingual singing talents, Sharlene recorded her fist LP with the group, as a back ground vocal, and In 1978 Gloria Alcazar’ choosed Sharlene to be her successor of San Jose Serenaders, Sharlene recorded a five track LP, one of which she composed and arranged entitled “Recuerdos” (memories) in tribute to the late Gloria Alcazar, whom she loved dearly.
In 1982 the Band “Flores De San Jose” was formed and immediately became a major force through their unique and infectious brand of Latin Parang Music and with a sagacious eye for fashion forever changed the image of the parrandero by introducing trendy, sartorial elegance to the stage.
In 1988 Sharlene recorded her first six track LP Album with a smashing hit “Si Yo Pudiera” which occupied the charts for six week and copped “The National Award for Excellence in the Arts” (NAFITA) for her haunting rendition of “Bendita tu Eres” written by hubby Wayne Flores, winning the best parang song of the year and creating history by becoming the first to win the Nafita award.
Following her first six track album “Latin Fire” Sharlene again created history when she released the first ever compack disc of redoubtable memorable hits in 1983, like Parang Soca Fun, El Angel Gabriel, Recuerdos, Vamos, Vamos, Vamos, written and compose by Sharlene,
capturing the ethos of the Caribbean Community with a beautiful ballard, ‘Burbujas De Amor”, Spanish Confusion and Margarita Christmas with her assertively flamboyant confident style of music. A proud and dedicated ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago’s culture, Sharlene took parang to the Sunshine Awards in New York City and in another first opened a special category for parang music, when she performed her ever popular hit and composition “Parang Soca Fun”.
In a bold but calculated move in 1995 Sharlene crossed over into the calypso arena singing her first calypso “Hurricane”, a pan composition played by Solo Harmonites, Sangre Grande Cordettes, and Pamberi, she entered the National Joint Action Committee’s Calypso Competition with a beautiful song entited “Today tomorrow” composed by Alvin Daniel. In 1996 sharlene recorded two more calypsos entitled, “Baby Dance with Me” and Latin Soca, written and composed by The Original De Fosto, sadly they were never air played by any of the radio stations.
In 1999 the Sharlene was awarded the medal “Su la Trinite” by the Mayor of Martinique for her role in twinning both islands. On November 24th 2000, the Sharlene continued her thrust as cultural ambassador, when she performed at the Colony hotel in Toronto, Canada taking our rich multi-faceted yuletide heritage and traditions to Canadians at large. In a memorable historical moment in 2009 Sharlene performed for her royal highness Queen Sofia of Spain. In December 2010 Sharlene was awareded a Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition and appreciation of her long and outstanding contribution to the preservation, promotion and development of The Parang Artform. With the myriad achievements of Sharlene thus far, one gets the feeling that the best is yet to come.
Sharlene Flores Queen and Icon of Parang/ Latin music in the caribbean, North and South America and beyond Where ever the copious sound of parang music is heard in Trinidad and Tobago and now parts of the wider English and Spanish speaking Caribbean, the name Sharlene Flores immediately comes to mind for her euphonious, lucidly expressed sound; and her kinetically
inspired and energetic on stage presence.
Sharlene indubitably a punctilious supernova in every detail has been the recipient of many accolades and local and international awards such as the Nafita Award and the medal “Su la Trinite” from the island of Martinique. As a cultural ambassador Sharlene has performed at the Sunshine Awards in New York City and at the Colony Hotel in Toronto, Canada.
Sharlene has adopted an eclectic mosaic of musical flavours in the formation of a unique but Universal Caribbean PotPourri of cogent music, using Zuc, Merringue, Soca and introducing Steelpan and Tassa drums in a harmonious combination of instruments and melodies in her effervescent and renascent rhythms. Sharlene who hails from the old capital of St. Joseph (San Jose) in Trinidad and Tobago accepted an invitation from a friend in 1975 to join the famed
Parang Group San Jose Serenaders when he recognised her unique bi-lingual singing talents, Sharlene recorded her fist LP with the group, as a back ground vocal, and In 1978 Gloria Alcazar’ choosed Sharlene to be her successor of San Jose Serenaders, Sharlene recorded a five track LP, one of which she composed and arranged entitled “Recuerdos” (memories) in tribute to the late Gloria Alcazar, whom she loved dearly.
In 1982 the Band “Flores De San Jose” was formed and immediately became a major force through their unique and infectious brand of Latin Parang Music and with a sagacious eye for fashion forever changed the image of the parrandero by introducing trendy, sartorial elegance to the stage.
In 1988 Sharlene recorded her first six track LP Album with a smashing hit “Si Yo Pudiera” which occupied the charts for six week and copped “The National Award for Excellence in the Arts” (NAFITA) for her haunting rendition of “Bendita tu Eres” written by hubby Wayne Flores, winning the best parang song of the year and creating history by becoming the first to win the Nafita award.
Following her first six track album “Latin Fire” Sharlene again created history when she released the first ever compack disc of redoubtable memorable hits in 1983, like Parang Soca Fun, El Angel Gabriel, Recuerdos, Vamos, Vamos, Vamos, written and compose by Sharlene,
capturing the ethos of the Caribbean Community with a beautiful ballard, ‘Burbujas De Amor”, Spanish Confusion and Margarita Christmas with her assertively flamboyant confident style of music. A proud and dedicated ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago’s culture, Sharlene took parang to the Sunshine Awards in New York City and in another first opened a special category for parang music, when she performed her ever popular hit and composition “Parang Soca Fun”.
In a bold but calculated move in 1995 Sharlene crossed over into the calypso arena singing her first calypso “Hurricane”, a pan composition played by Solo Harmonites, Sangre Grande Cordettes, and Pamberi, she entered the National Joint Action Committee’s Calypso Competition with a beautiful song entited “Today tomorrow” composed by Alvin Daniel. In 1996 sharlene recorded two more calypsos entitled, “Baby Dance with Me” and Latin Soca, written and composed by The Original De Fosto, sadly they were never air played by any of the radio stations.
In 1999 the Sharlene was awarded the medal “Su la Trinite” by the Mayor of Martinique for her role in twinning both islands. On November 24th 2000, the Sharlene continued her thrust as cultural ambassador, when she performed at the Colony hotel in Toronto, Canada taking our rich multi-faceted yuletide heritage and traditions to Canadians at large. In a memorable historical moment in 2009 Sharlene performed for her royal highness Queen Sofia of Spain. In December 2010 Sharlene was awareded a Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition and appreciation of her long and outstanding contribution to the preservation, promotion and development of The Parang Artform. With the myriad achievements of Sharlene thus far, one gets the feeling that the best is yet to come.
Songs
- Abriendo Puertas Más Allá
- Bendita tu Eres
- Burbujas de Amor
- Cantemos Pastores
- El Angel Gabriel
- Esta Noche es Nuestro
- Frío Frío
- La Capilla Esta
- La Tierra de Tus Encantos
- La Vida Fuera
- Margarita Christmas
- Milagro
- Miran Chitos
- Parang a la Trinidad
- Parang Soca Fun
- Parang with Me
- Recuerdos
- Sereno, Sereno
- Si yo pudiera
- Spanish Confusion
- Tucusito
- Yo Busco Inspiración
- Vamos, Vamos, Vamos
External links
- http://parang.itgo.com