Derek Thorne was born and raised in Trinidad. In a twist of irony, however, he was introduced to Caribbean and African percussion only when he moved to Montreal at age 20. While studying English at McGill, he became a founding member of Keteke and learned Cuban drumming from Glen Clark and Vôvô, founder of Montreal Jazz Festival regulars Saroumbon. After graduating, he came to Toronto, joining Ballet Creole in 1999 and Canboulay Dance Theatre in 2000. In 2001, he joined gospel/jazz fusion band ZOMA, where he sees his role as “rooting the band’s New York/L.A. sound in the dirt of the tropics, where it originated in the first place”.
Program
Opening Weekend Performance: Konvwa libèté by Raphaël Barontini
Artist Raphaël Barontini brings a celebratory, carnival-style street parade to the University of Toronto campus, in collaboration with artists from Toronto-based Bongo & B Entertainment and Ballet Creole. Blending percussion, indigo costumes, banners, and flags, this parade honours historical figures of anti-enslavement resistance while celebrating contemporary Caribbean traditions of emancipation. The parade takes place – […]
September 26, 2026
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Partners
