Tutti Frutti Musical Group, Keeping Bonaire’s Traditional Music Alive

Tutti Frutti is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023. Tutti Frutti is a musical group from Bonaire and consists of 18 singers/musicians. All members belong to several existing local musical groups, and so that is the reason why the group is called “Tutti Frutti.”

Tutti Frutti has a variety of songs from religious to popular songs. This musical group was formed by ideas originating from six Bonairian ladies, all relatives of each other. This group performed in churches, famous local hotels and restaurants, and, last but not least, onboard the “Freewinds.”

Tutti Frutti’s history over the decades.

 In early 1994, Tutti Frutti initiated their performances with local cultural songs. They are a local group from Rincon, located on the northern side of Bonaire. Rinconeros, the people from Rincon, try to keep their culture alive in a very special way. (“Rincon Day” has been celebrated on the 30th of April for over 30 years.) Two weeks prior to Rincon Day, a cultural song festival is organized with the participation of Tutti Frutti, along with other musical groups.

Tutti Frutti’s participation dates back to 1994, when they won the competition. They have added additional accolades over the years–1st and 2nd finalists on several occasions–but they were again named the overall winner in 2008, 2010, and 2018 with their song, “Flora,” and as second runner up with “E hel”, the best song of 2018.

Their first CD was published in 1997 with five compositions of the well-known local singer Augustin Kroon. He along with Flora, Echi, and Tiri was the singer on this CD.

In 2002, Tutti Frutti launched their 2nd CD “Kas di Bara”, which became very popular with the song “Rekuerdo Chistoso.” For this song, the group received the Edgar Supriano Award on 22nd of November in Curacao.

Over the years,the group has published additional CDs entitled “Pabien ban Brinda”, “Laganos Kultura Bria”, “Kòrtadó di Sentebibu”, “E Kueru”, “Di Tutti pa Tavio” and the latest edition, “Selebrando 25 Aña Grupo Tutti Frutti.

Soon watch for more CDs with 50 original songs from the famous composers Veronica Mercera, Wesley Sint Jago, Tavio Sint Jago, Naida Molina, and John Leoneta.

Tutti Frutti offers a variety of typical local rhythms, such as tumba krioyo, simadan, barí, waltz, and also danza. All songs feature typical habits and other cultural related topics of the island, and with a special emphasis on Rincon.