KOMPA! MAGAZINE

[Soul4U]

Ok guys Sorry for the delay. Now that some of you have given your input regarding the male singers in the HMI. We can shift to the women. Here’s my concern…

What inspired me to write on this topic is that, a couple of months ago, I was looking for a female singer that can sing in upcoming Haitian jazz events... Someone we haven’t used before and that can really make an impact in this particular genre of music. Unfortunately, due to circumstances, I was unable to book this person (lack of understanding of the Haitian jazz movement). Anyway, I asked a well known Haitian artist about possible other female singers I can reach out to, and can add to the movement…The response I got was “Pa telman gen fanm Ayisyen ki ka chante deyo-a.� (Keep in mind that he didn’t say there were “no� singers out there, just nut much). This comment bothered me and it had me thinking… Does the HMI lack good female singers?

Well first, let me just say this… There are plenty of female Haitian singers out there and they are a dime a dozen. The only thing is that they are either singing R & B or Gospel and those that sing R & B, usually come from singing gospel music/church. I just want to point that out since I’m specifically talking about the HMI.

Emeline Michel is reffered to as “The Queen� when it comes to female singers in the HMI. Obviously, due to her versatility as being able to sing kompa, rasin, jazz and pop and the fact she’s a dancer and entertainer, she pretty much earned that title. There are a number of females that are making some noise out there in the kompa scene, However, taken out of the kompa context, how skillful are they vocally? Do people like them because of their great vocal skills or is it because of how they fit in kompa music? Personally, I’ve heard maybe one or two females in the kompa scene that im curious about hearing their voices in a setting besides Kompa. TZ mentioned some female names in the other post (TZ, feel free to put them on here when you get a chance).

Please share some of your thoughts and let me know what you feel regarding the state of female singers in the HMI and Haitian jazz genre.

Soul

[FANMKONESE]

Bon en passant off the subject ......SOUL4U LET'S TALK SERIOUS FOR A MINUTE......HOW'S MY BABY WELMIR JEAN PIERRE DOING BEHIND BARS AND LAST....HOW MUCH HIS ABSENCE HAS AFFECTED THE BAND AND THE MOVEMENT SINCE HE WAS A BIG PART OF IT..........

Please answer me please.........What a SAD STORY
_________________
Personally, I am always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught."

--Winston Churchill

[TiZepeng]

Hey Soul... as always it is my pleasure to be of some help

Generally speaking, I would have to agree with your counterpart simply because the Haitian education tends to raise girls to be more reserved. Parents don't really encourage them to pursue activities where they will attract too much attention, especially in the testosterone driven Konpa scene.

Staff can say more about the history of females on the Konpa scene but as far as I know, right now we have more females konpa performers than we have ever had in the 50 plus years of the genre; and to find 10, I have to include those who are on leave of absence or who have been working on a project for God knows how long, or are just dreaming of a comeback. The other thing about the Konpa scene is that it mostly uses the women to cater to a horny male public. Therefore their sex appeal and sensuous gyrating are more valued than their singing ability per say

The first common mistake is to equate Haitian Music to Konpa... which is is just the tip of the Haitian musical culture... a much eroded one if you ask me. But anyways, if you look outside the Konpa scene, that's where you will find the best female singers... male singers... musicians ect...

That's it for my comment on your question...I'll come back later with info on prospective singers.


TZ

[Inconnu]

Gina Dupervil is a viable candidate.

Ginou Oriol -- well she's already a Jazz singer.


Yannick Etienne -- she sings quite well.

[TiZepeng]

Now let's start by bringing back the list of performers I suggested in the previous post:

TiFane: If Emeline is THE ONE, TiFane is definitely THE NEXT ONE. Her debut album "Apparent" was an instant hit and she has been invited to participate in many music festivals in Europe, Africa etc.
Melissa Dauphin: She studied vocal performance at the Berklee College of Music. She has no solo project out yet, however the critiques were unanimous in applauding her work on Strings' fourth album: Coconut Grove. I know a KM member who is a VERY big fan of Melissa and am surprised he hasn't come here yet to root for her.
Orchidée Valcourt: Well... her lineage alone serves a serious references. She doesn't have a project out either but last year she did a killing performing with her father and brother at the Port-au-Prince International Jazz Festival.
Beatrice Kebreau: Definitely a hidden gem of Haitian music, a voice I would really love to hear. The reason why I didn't bring her right away is because she has been out of the scene for some time now (taken an extended sabbatical). But definitely she is someone you should keep in mind and the Haitian Jazz Festival would definately be an interest in lure for her.

Since the last post, I came across another female singer from Haiti, her name is Eline Fleury (caught her video during the half time of a game broadcasted on TNH via JumpTV). I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw and heard. She has a powerful voice and was singing something a ballade... I can definitely see her getting down in a Jazz setting.

Now, the second common mistake people do is thinking that Haitians only live in Haiti and the US. They forget that there is a very vibrant cultural scene in a little known town called Montreal. There is a good number of VERY talented musicians from Haiti or of Haitian Origin who are doing their thing in Montreal and the Province of Quebec as a whole. Because they have broaden their horizons beyond the Haitian community doesn't mean they don't they are not representing us or couldn't be invited in a Haitian Jazz Event.

This said, here is a list:

MÉLANIE RENAUD: Her album "Ma Liberté" won the Francophone Album of the Year Award at the 2002 Canadian Independent Music Awards in March
RACHELLE JEANTY: Was back up singer for Celine Dion her D'eux and Falling in to You world tours and now is getting ready to launch a solo career.
SARA RÉNÉLIK : I like Sara a lot. She is not only a great singer but also a superb dancer and choreographer. Her resume is impressive and includes collaborations with the Cirque du Soleil, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Celine Dion, Michale Bolton etc.
SYLVIE DESGROSEILLIERS: She is the daughter of famed Haitian singer Guy Durosier and released a critically acclaimed album in 2005
STÉPHANE MORAILLE: Stephane is another one that I like a lot, very powerful singer, she really fills the place when she performs. As part of Montreal Bran Van 3000 she sang the singnature track "Drinking in LA" on the "Gelee" Album. That track reached the 2nd place in the Top 40.

At first glance, these ladies may appear as if they are out of the Haitian circuit completely but I can assure you, its only because they found nothing in their own community that would achieve the fullness of their talent. I am pretty sure that they would be more than willing to participate in an interesting Haitian musical project like the Haitian Jazz Movement... One just has to ask.


TZ

[belfam]

Tifane

That girl that sing with strings

Orchidee valcourt

those are the one that i am familiar with
how about looking for new artist?
_________________
music is my life

[SIROMYEL]

You might want to check out Porsha from desire 3.

her voice is deep and very soulful. Might sound nice singing jazz.

[Inconnu]

Is it Sheena Rock who sings on Eddy Brisseaux's Ban'm Mizik?

I don't know who she is, and I haven't seen her on anything else since then.

She sounded good on that album.

[LouisJeanBeauge]

Very interesting post. I didn't know we had so many Haitian female vocalist who have accomplished so much the non-haitian jazz arena. Thanks for the info TiZepeng.
_________________
"Mesye bliye chèz la, al nan sena a, oubyen al fè sinema" Beethova Obas.

[Soul4U]

TiZepeng wrote:

Hey Soul... as always it is my pleasure to be of some help Generally speaking, I would have to agree with your counterpart simply because the Haitian education tends to raise girls to be more reserved. Parents don't really encourage them to pursue activities where they will attract too much attention, especially in the testosterone driven Konpa scene. Staff can say more about the history of females on the Konpa scene but as far as I know, right now we have more females konpa performers than we have ever had in the 50 plus years of the genre; and to find 10, I have to include those who are on leave of absence or who have been working on a project for God knows how long, or are just dreaming of a comeback. The other thing about the Konpa scene is that it mostly uses the women to cater to a horny male public. Therefore their sex appeal and sensuous gyrating are more valued than their singing ability per say The first common mistake is to equate Haitian Music to Konpa... which is is just the tip of the Haitian musical culture... a much eroded one if you ask me. But anyways, if you look outside the Konpa scene, that's where you will find the best female singers... male singers... musicians ect... That's it for my comment on your question...I'll come back later with info on prospective singers. TZ

Hmm, yeah TZ, I never thought of it that way. I guess the females have it tough. I mean, one may be able to sing (or not) and sex appeal seems to be a key factor and in other cases, the only thing keeping a singer successful? Thats not good because we won't be producing quality singers that way... I'll be back with more replies...

Peace,
Soul

PS- Before I move, I just want to reply to FANMKONESE's questions... FANMKONESE, you ask how your baby Welmyr is doing behind bars???? What da %$%@ What does your question have to do with this topic? And you're the first person to respond to my post???? Funny and sneaky... ANYWAY... So we can move on with this topic and not be distracted by your question regarding Welmyr, (which happens to be very delicate due to my relationship with him) I'll answer, but first let me say I find the way you asked me the question publicly on the bored to be very tasteless, disrespectful and rude! You gotta be kidding me! You could have done one of three things:

A) create a new thread on that subject
B) Send me a private message
C) ask me in person at the next Mozayik gig.

The way you totally disregarded my question to the kompa magazine members and came out of left feild with this is a total disrespect to me KM and the many members who try to contribute positively to this board. Thats wack!

So, to answer your questions, by "choice", "publicly", and out of "respect" for KM and the readers who probably feel uneasy reading this and are wondering, I don't know how Welmyr is doing. I haven't spoken to him since he last played with us on May 12-13th in Massachusetts. As far as Mozayik, emotionally, Welmyrs situation was and still is very difficult for us,( his Mozayik brothers ) to deal with. However, these recent events will not derail Mozayik and our goals and what we have been working on for the past eight years now. We are still performing, rehearsing and working on music for our 3rd CD which we look to record in 2008 (God willing). Regarding the effects on the Haitian Jazz movement, its a big blow, however, the movement is moving fwd....