Willie Stewart's Rhythms of Africa Returns April 18-19 at the Miramar Cultural Center

It will be a bittersweet occasion for Willie Stewart at the Rhythms Of Africa shows, which takes place April 18-19 at Miramar Cultural Center in South Florida. He will use the events to salute good friends he has lost along the way, but celebrate the resilience of his homeland as well.

The theme for the shows is, ‘Run Di Riddim: Every Beat For Jamaica’.

Stewart, the master drummer who first staged the event in 2010, will pay homage to reggae legends Jimmy Cliff, guitarist Stephen “Cat” Coore and drummer Sly Dunbar, who died in November, 2025 and January, 2026, respectively. 

Their lofty contributions to music are to be remembered during a segment dubbed, ‘21 Reggae One Drop Salute’.

Coore and Stewart were members of Third World for 21 years. They played on that band’s biggest hits such as Now That We Found Love, Try Jah Love and Committed.

Rhythms Of Africa 2026 will also see the live debut of Have A Little Faith, a song Stewart wrote and co-produced with Sean Wedderburn. Two of the artists on that track, Gem Myers and J C Lodge, are scheduled to appear at the annual show along with Richie Stephens.

“It is the first time we have an original song to be debuted as a live performance at Rhythms Of Africa. Also, that single has charted on the South Florida Reggae Chart and entered the Foundation Radio Network Chart (in the tri-state area),” Stewart disclosed.

Have A Little Faith was released in February with Steve Lane as executive producer and distributor through Digital 1 Media Service. It also features Leroy Sibbles, Carl McDonald, Dwisdom, Carlene Davis, Glen Washington,  Alecia Marie, Wayne Armond and  Patrick Ulysees Pinkney.

It was inspired by the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa which struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025. While overwhelmed by the carnage resulting from the Category 5 hurricane, Stewart was also struck by the resilience of Jamaicans in its aftermath.

“I am moved beyond words to the response of Jamaicans overseas who have shown support to their country in this time of distress. It shows the power of collective compassion to make a difference to ameliorate the suffering and disaster that the hurricane caused,” he said.

All financial returns from Have A Little Faith will go to the recovery effort in Jamaica.