Preserving a fragile part of the South’s heritage in song through
the generations has been a labor of love for the Georgia Sea Island Singers.
Featuring Frankie Sullivan Quimby, the group recently shared their rich
African-American traditions forged among former slaves on the islands
off the coast of Georgia during performances held at the Southeast Georgia
Health System Senior Care Center-St. Marys on Feb. 19 and on the Brunswick
campus on Feb. 21.
Through songs, dances and stories, the Georgia Sea Island Singers described
the world of their slave ancestors. Like their forebearers for whom musical
instruments were forbidden, the group sang a capella or with only the
accompaniment of rhythm instruments such as the tambourine and the jimbay drum.
The Georgia Sea Island Singers travel the world sharing the Gullah culture
with audiences from presidents to pre-schoolers and have carried their
songs, games and storytelling to virtually every state in the country.
The group’s performance history includes prestigious engagements
such as the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics,
the Inauguration of President Jimmy Carter and the 2004 G-8 Conference.
They have performed in Africa, Spain, France, Germany, Nova Scotia, and Canada.
To learn more about other events offered by the Health System, visit sghs.com
and click on News & Events.