A Tribute to Pioneers and Legends of Haitian Music
We wish to pay a fitting tribute to the musicians and groups who pioneered the musical voice of Haiti for musicians and artists of today. The story of Haitian music begins with the formation of large orchestras, groups and folk musicians. Among the stellar orchestras and groups, it is important to note Orchestre Septentrional, which just celebrated sixty years of performance. Others include Jazz Des Jeunes, the Guinard Brothers, Atomic Tana, Titato, Maison Ante, Zobola, Diabolo, SAE Orchestra, Les Etoiles, Nirvana and Meridionale des Cayes, to name a few. Individual artists who have made extraordinary contributions include Ti Paris, Altchery Dorival, Gary French, Marcele Augustine, Richard Durossau, Lumane Casimir and Yvon Luissaint.
In the 1940s, a number of Haitian groups began to play different styles of music, while others preferred to rearrange Latin, French, American and other European popular dance music styles, such as the Rumba, Bolero, Meringue/Bachata, Salsa and Jazz.
Ti Paris (1933-1979) and Altheri Dorival, as recognized masters of the Haitian troubadour tradition, were also the most popular throughout the towns of Haiti. These pioneers significantly contributed to the development of Haitian music, but it was Nemours Jean Baptiste and Webert Sicot who brought a new vision to Haitian dance music. This period also marked the beginning of Haitian ballroom dancing.
The 1950s gave birth to the most admired and prolific Haitian musical talent of our time. The list of brilliant composers and artists includes Charles Dessalines, Edner Guignard, Gerard Dupervil, Michel Desgrottes, Essa El Saiehl, Lucien Noel, Charles Avoine, Leon Atus, Jean Claude Paul, Gary French, Serge Delaleux, Raoul and Roland William, Louis Layence, Anulus Cadet, Mozart Monfort, Richard Duroseau, Destinoble Barateau, Joe Trouillot, Edner and Kenel Durosseau, Monfort Jean Baptiste , Guillaume Raroule, TI RORO, Tales, Maz Pierrot, Raymond Pinchinat, Jean Sejour, Aine Felix, Lidovic Lamothe, Daniel Mayala, Moise Jean, Augustin Fontaine, Les Freres Guillard, Eddy Prophete, Deroulo, Yapha, Nenet Dominique, Lominy, Charles Napoleon, Andre Dorismont Raymond Gaspar, Candio Despradine, Antoine Duverger, Gay Malary, and of course Webert Sicot and Nemours Jean Baptiste, innovators of the compas rhythm style.
Musicians listed here have led the Haitian art and culture on the international front:
Saxophonist and band leader Nemours Jean Baptiste (born in 1918) is credited by the BBC as the most influential of Haitian conductors and creator of the popular rhythm style, compas direct. This most popular Haitian music was indeed developed by Nemours, but historically and logically, he alone could not have created compas direct. Rather, he surely had the help of some of the biggest Haitian musicians of his time, such as the virtuoso saxophonist, Webert Sicot (born in 1930), Julien Paul and the Durosseau Brothers, who founded the first compas group on 26 July 1955. They named the group Conjunto International , featuring Monfort Jean-Baptiste, Anilus Cadet, Mozard Duroseau, Colber Krutzer Duroseau and Richard Duroseau.
Martha Jean Claude (1919-2001) was a singer and actress, whose music was activist-oriented. She had suffered persecution until her exile to Cuba, but despite this, she did pause to promote Haitian culture. Martha had the privilege of sharing the stage with the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz and the famous Nat King Cole. After having immigrated to Cuba, Martha Jean Claude recorded several albums, in which her songs were taken from the Haitian traditional repertoire with a mixture of rhythms, such as Yanvalou, Nago, Petro, Kongo and Ibo. After the fall of the oppressive Duvalier Regime, Martha returned to Haiti to continue her outreach and promotion of Haitian music.
Toto Bissainthe (1934-1994),
the singer, dramatist and songwriter born Marie Clotilde, promoted traditional Haitian music related to voodou. She left the antiquity of the country to seek refuge in France, where she was rewarded for her music and plays. In her plays, Toto revealed Haiti in all aspects, including abject poverty and the hard work of the Haitian people.
Coupé Cloué (Jean Gesner Henry, 1925-1988). We also give tribute to singer, guitarist and band leader Coupé Cloué who brought in a new style of compas called Compas Mamba. The originality of his lyrics made you laugh. Especially memorable are Fanm kolokint, Mariaj and Myan Myan. Most of his songs are related to women. On the dance floor, his music brings you closer to your partner. Even after his death, Coupé Cloué remains unique in his kind; his style is difficult—or may we say—almost impossible to copy.
Manno Charlemagne (1948-)
Manno Charlemagne achieved international renown as the voice fighting for the freedom of Haitians oppressed by the Duvalier Regime. His songs invite you to stand up and fight for your country. Manno Charlemagne (as most of our artists have) also endured exile from Haiti, which in no way halted his revolutionary movement. Manno Charlemagne returned to Haiti after the fall of Duvalier to fight tyranny, poverty and oppression. In 1995, under Aristide's government, he became mayor of Port-au-Prince. Up to date Manno Charlemagne continuously sings for truth and freedom.
We must also especially honor the works of the following groups and artists: Skah Shah # 1, Les Difficiles de Petion Ville, Gemini All Stars de Ti Manno, Shoogar Combo, Dippy Express, Tropicana d'Haiti, and Ti Corn, who conquered hearts with her voice and guitar. Carole Demesmin, Ansy Dérose also worked hard to show the richness of our culture to the larger international scene, even though it took time for the Haitian people to recognize the importance of his work. We additionally honor System Band, The Shleu Shleu, The Gypsies, Lionel Benjamin et Les Freres Dejean, Magnum Band, Scorpio, The Carribean Sexet, and Dixie Band. Tabou Combo, which happens to be the ambassador of Haitian music, is the first Haitian group to perform in Japan, Ivory Coast and Senegal. Tabou Combo has also continued since 1968 to show the richness of our culture to people around the world.
The 1980s and late 1990s produced a new trend and genre, as we bring up the "Nouvelle Generation". This generation spawned a new version of Compas. To that tribute, we particularly name Sakaj, Zin and Alan Cavé , who have won hearts. Along with groups like; Sweet Micky, Missil 727, Mizik Mizik, Djakout Mizik, K-Dans, Phantoms, Nu Look, Lakol, T -Vice, Zenglen and Top Vice we have seen the emergence of extraordinary artists, including; Pierre Rigaud Chéry , Emeline Michel, Danielle Thermidor, Beethovas Oba, James Germain, Reginald Policard, Zekle who play compas with a " Funky Style", Scandal, Papash, Fedia Laguerre, Toto Laraque who never stop helping artists and musicians.
There are also Haitian Hip Hop (RAP) groups and artists, beginning with Georges Lys Herad (known as Master Dji), King Posse and Original La. We would also like to include the Mouvement Racine with Boukman Experience, Boukan Ginen, Racine Mapou de Azor, Ram, Foula known as the one of the best vodoo jazz band,"Band à pieds", all of which have important roles in the Carnaval in Haiti. Rara and Gospel groups and artists have also played their part in the development of Haitian music.
Because of the faith, passion, creativity and tenacity of these groups, artists and musicians today, we have an incredibly rich and diverse culture. They have been through many things; they experienced some ups and downs; had their moments of glory and defeats, but their determination stays in our memory as heroes and legends of Haitian music and culture.
