Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine July 2017 | Page 66

Esmeralda Ophelia Schotman
shared with Mélange . . .
About her Musical Background
I was born in the Netherlands into a heart warming,
multicultural family where music was always playing
somewhere in the house. At the age of 16, I started
performing with an African Dance show and soon
after started singing with a band called Los Bravos. My
career then took off, as a singer, dancer, base guitar
player, MC and all-rounder. I was eager to learn more
about music.
Over the years, I was fortunate to perform with
various people and bands, such as Las Chicas Del Can
(Dominican Rep.), Anita Meyer (Netherlands) Buju
Banton (Jamaica), Mighty Sparrow (Trinidad) , Musical
Time, Quasi and other bands in Aruba during Calypso
and Road March festivals, as well as performing
during Carnival parades. Entertaining hotel guests
daily with my one-woman show is always a fun
experience. Along the way there were a few CD’s
produced as a solo artist of which a few were known
Internationally such as “Ecstasy” in 1991.
In 1998 I took a break from my artist career to
dedicate time to my new-born daughter, and family.
The dedication that’s needed and wanting to be
there for her to make sure that she is well guided and
protected to become a well rounded, warm, loving,
caring, educated adult, was a priority for me. Then I
got married and I gained another daughter - family
life was good.
From 2010 – 2013 I had the pleasure of doing a TV/
radio show called “Papia bai off” (talk till you drop)
and also the Morning Show at Cool FM 98.8 FM Aruba
which gave me a chance to let out my silly side,
having fun during sketches and interviews.
With music being always around me day and night, it
kept giving me that bubbly feeling right underneath
the surface and in 2014 I couldn’t resist it anymore.
My love for performing came back out and I joined
the Kawura Roots Band and the Reggae influences
from my young age came running out again.
The Kawura Roots Band consists of 7 members who
all love reggae music and are hoping to record music
in the near future.