Xpress Band Honored for Nearly Four Decades of Cultural Impact as Festival Village Opens on St. Croix

Each year, the formal opening of Festival Village is an opportunity to honor the guardians and champions of St. Croix's cultural legacy. On Monday evening, it was the turn of Xpress Band to be recognized for their almost four decades of contributions to their community, and to the unique sound of the Virgin Islands. “Express Band carried the sound of St. Croix and the Virgin Islands across the globe,” said tourism commissioner nominee Jenifer Matarangas-King in her opening remarks. The band's wide reach is “affirming that our music belongs on every single stage and in every conversation about Caribbean cultural achievement." Founding members Al Baptiste Sr. (deceased), Patrick Edwards, Dean Baptiste, Toby Derima, and Pat Ragguett were reportedly encouraged by Third World drummer William Stewart to form their own ensemble. At the time, members were playing backup for the Mighty Sparrow. In Jamaica on tour, they met with Stewart who told them it was time to break out, and took them to B...