3 November 2023, Basseterre, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis – The
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank proudly announces the release of the highly anticipated
debut album, ECCB@40 – Celebration and Thanksgiving, which is being released to
commemorate the ECCB’s 40th Anniversary Celebrations.
The album is an eclectic compilation of classical, gospel, soca, calypso, reggae and bossa
nova songs performed by the ECCB Chorale, with pieces from guest artistes. It includes
seven original songs and a number of covers including Seal’s cover version of People Get
Ready, which the ECCB uses as its theme song for the Bank’s Change Management and
Culture initiative.
Musicians Damion Hobson (keyboard), Franklyn Huggins (bass guitar), Anelto Wilkin
(keyboard) and Blessed Ogbum (saxophone), as well as Leon Esprit (drums), a member of
the ECCB Shockwave Band provided accompaniment for the ECCB Chorale’s performances.
Cameo appearances on the album include winners in the two categories of the 2022-2023
ECCB/RSS-ARU Creative Youth Competition – Hannah Archibald, Lonya Bullock and
Keosha Burke of St Joseph’s Convent Kingstown Secondary School, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines performing a song titled My Identity; and Tawafa Pierre of the T.A. Marryshow
Community College in Grenada performing a song titled Illusion.
Also featured on the album is a choral speech titled ECCB: My Bank, Your Bank, the People’s Bank performed
by students of the C.W. Prescod Primary School, the ECCB’s Mentorship School in Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines; and Colton T performing ECCB 40, Feel de Riddim!, the
ECCB’s acclaimed 40 th Anniversary song.
Speaking about the album release, Director of the ECCB Chorale and Deputy Director in the
Financial Sector Supervision Department at the ECCB, Laurel Seraphin-Bedford said, “I
consider it an esteemed honour to be able to contribute four original songs to this album
and direct its production. This is my small way of giving back to an institution that has
helped shaped my career and aspects of my personal life over the past two decades. I
wish the ECCB God’s continued blessings as we celebrate 40 years of service to the people
of the region.”
The ECCB Chorale’s debut album is available for download from the ECCB’s website and
can be accessed on its social media platforms @ECCBConnects.