KOMPA! MAGAZINE

[kompamagazine]

A lot of you wanted answers about GERALD KEBREAU's abrupt departure from T-VICE; so we went straight to him and had an interview. Here it is below.



GERALD KEBREAU: "Hi Pat! Thanks for the opportunity to shed some light on my departure from T-Vice. However, I’d like to first begin by thanking the Martino/Al Khal family for putting their trust in me for so many years, and also say that overall it was a good experience for me. Of course there were highs and lows but for the most part it was a lot of fun. In these 15-16 years I got to travel the world, perform in front of thousands and thousands of people, fill up places like Zenith, Bercy, Canne a Sucre, Henfrasa, Champs de Mars and more, and was able to showcase my skills to the world.

I will attempt to answer all your questions to the best of my abilities:

1) *KOMPA MAGAZINE: Why did you leave T-Vice after so many years?
GERALD KEBREAU: "The answer is very simple: it was time. Over the last 16 years I gave T-Vice my ALL. This was a decision I had been mulling over the last year or so. For those of you who didn’t know, around this time last year my father was gravely ill and on the brink of death. While his survival remains a big mystery for even the best medical heads in Boston, this experience taught me a very important lesson, the one about family and how it must always come first.

My work required that I be away from my family a lot and for sometime now, the ends did not justify the means. Simply put, there comes a time in life when a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do. This was not an easy decision, but I know in my head and in my heart it was the right one.



2) *KOMPA MAGAZINE: Word on the street is that you caught the Martino brothers off guard with that decision, and left abruptly. What’s the real deal?
GERALD KEBREAU: "It may have been surprising when I told them last Sunday, but I am quite sure they were anticipating that day. After announcing them that I would be based in Haiti, it didn’t take long for them to tell me that they would not be paying for plane tickets from and to Haiti, and upon our return to Miami from the summer tour, this sentiment was reiterated to me by Jessie herself. I was left to pick up the plane ticket tab to go to work for T-Vice, and it simply made no sense for me to do that.

The only way for them to be surprised would be if they thought I was stupid enough to actually pay my own plane tickets or if they were ready to make me this unbelievable offer that would negate that hurdle. But I doubt that either of those cases is likely.



3) *KOMPA MAGAZINE: Were you happy or unhappy in the band? Were there issues that you wish had been taken care of on your end that would have kept you in the band?
GERALD KEBREAU: "For the most part I was fine but lately, there were big enough issues that began to affect everybody in the band. Out of respect for the band and its members I will not discuss them here, but knowing what the issues were, and seeing management’s inability or unwillingness to deal with them, certainly did little to encourage me to stay.

As to what it would have taken for me to stay, there is no exact answer. In my opinion, you keep your employees by keeping them happy. You keep them happy by first acknowledging their worth to you either verbally or by some other avenue, by gradually increasing their salaries after satisfactory performance reviews and it doesn’t end there. When we are in a business that is so unstable, it’s very important to make sure that the whole crew is always on the same page. I was caught between an increasingly difficult business (HMI) to depend on with no solution in sight, and having reached the apex of my career as a kompa bass player, where the only way left to go was down.

Management may take issue with those last few statements because it’s the first time I am saying anything about it , but I was witnessing and closely observing how concerns were being dealt with and basically saved myself the aggravation of voicing mine and not having them dealt with properly. We all would like to move forward in our jobs by getting promotions and a better salary. Once that stalls it is time to move on and I did just that."



*4) KOMPA MAGAZINE: Any thoughts on joining or starting another band?
GERALD KEBREAU: "3 years ago, I revived my Jazz career and began performing in different venues all over South Miami. Today I am fortunate enough to say that I was signed to a 4 month contract performing with the Seth Burkhat 4 aboard the Allure of the Seas by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. I’ve crossed over from full time kompa to full-time jazz at least for the next few months.

I also started a project called “Unclazzified” with a great friend pianist by the name of Allen Paul, and drummer Jason Kent. We are currently working on a 5-6 song EP, recording jazz tunes that we composed and produced, and will test the Jazz/R&B market. The beauty of this project is that we can still do it while living in different countries, and carrying on with our normal working lives. I can also do this while solidifying my professional career.

For those who don’t know, I hold a Masters degree in Business Administration and will put it back to use. As for Kompa, I know Iwon’t be able to stay away for too long but I don’t plan on making a living out of it again. But hopefully you will see my name on different recording projects as a guest musician. I’ve also been dying to produce something with my sister Beatrice Kebreau who is a knockout singer. We’ll see!

*5) KOMPA MAGAZINE: Your best and worst memories from your T-Vice journey if you could summarize them.
GERALD KEBREAU: "I have several great memorable times beginning with T-Vice’s Medikaman cd release party in 2001 that featured songs like Medikaman, and Gason Makome back when we were in a heated battle with our current President, Michel Martelly. We had that party at Cassagne on Place Boyer, Petion-Ville and the place was PACKED! When we got to playing “Gason Makome”, the place erupted; I am getting chills just thinking about it!

Another great moment was Carnival 2002 when we first flew the “Helicopter”! Those 2 days were surreal, so much so that we blew our speakers and could not come out the 3rd day. I guess only God knows why he let that happen! But we still got first place lol… Another great moment was more recently Carnaval 2012 in Cayes, Haiti. This was very special because it was the first Carnival since the earthquake and we had our best carnival performance since Helicpter in 2002. And who could forget our first Zenith in 2004, with over 8,000 people screaming, and having a great time. That night was the beginning of a lot of things for me ( for those who know) J. I could name many more great moments but it would take a lot of typing so I will leave it at these 4.

As for worst moment, nothing beats the time when T-Vice faced its most controversial times with the accusation of being “racists” and Roberto being accused of making false comments at a bal. It was a very dark moment for us and we literally had to claw our way back to the top and I’m very proud of us for doing just that."

*6) KOMPA MAGAZINE: Does your departure have anything to do with Ti Tanbou issue as well as rumors regarding Ti Eddy and Sonson?
GERALD KEBREAU: "My departure had to do with the inability or even impossibility to achieve certain personal goals, a high level of dissatisfaction with the state of Kompa music and how it was affecting T-Vice, myself and ultimately, my family, and my NEED to be able to lead my household in a more dignified way. It had nothing to do with the Ti Tanbou situation, nor rumors about Sonson and Ti Eddy.

However, there were many concerns that these 3 had that I share. My departure was precipitated not by the presence of these issues but by my firm belief that they could not or would not be addressed by management for whatever reason. Given my current state of life, I wasn’t willing to settle anymore. Therefore I made certain decisions to change those circumstances and unfortunately, what T-Vice was offering could no longer fit in my life equation."



*7) KOMPA MAGAZINE: Final word for T-Vice guys and fans.
GERALD KEBREAU: "To the fans first, you have been encouraging in every way. When you cheered T-Vice, it gave me encouragement to keep doing what I was doing, and when you criticized, I used that as motivation to get better and better. I am a better musician/person today in part because of you. Your honesty went a long way into strengthening my will and shaping my career path, and for that you have my sincerest gratitude.

To the T-Vice guys, 15 years of brotherhood is not 15 days or 15 months. No matter what you will always be my brothers and I will always be there for you if you need me weather musically or personally. I had issues that I chose to handle by not voicing them to you, for reasonsthat I mentioned in my above answers, and I hope that you can respect that. I know you guys are fighters and you will get past this, but my time was simply up.

I implore you in the future to look beyond the obvious and “LISTEN”. While you invested your money from the beginning to form the band and became successful, please be more sensitive to the TIME others are/have invested in your product and your brand. Don’t dismiss concerns others may have just because you don’t have them or you’ve already decided that’s how things were going to be. Communication is the key, and the example has to be set from the TOP, DOWN, not the other way around.

To you Patrick, thank you for giving me the opportunity to share the reasons for my departure from T-Vice. Hopefully this Q and A answered some puzzling questions for you and your audience.

KM!
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[PlusHfully Yours]

IDK about anyone else's thoughts but I find this Q & A to be one of the realist departure interviews yet. With all being said from Gerald, I truly think this just might have been the best move for him. I think Gerald has paid his dues to the game and sometimes it's just about that time... especially when you have a bigger vision for yourself and your capabilities. The HMI growth is very limited. It's not easy to stay within the business and be completely content with what you get back from it. Even with the personal issues he might have had w Tvice, I think his other "reasonings" of departing is totally justifiable... Having tunnel vision in the HMI can only get you so far. If you have the brain to expand yourself then heck yea, you better do it.. I can only support and wish him luck here forth...
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Walk With Faith... Not Fear... Free Yourself.. "The Vision"

[sansan29]

Great job Pat, The General's grandson was very straight forward. It was time to move on ;specially when you felt you service is no longer needed.he showed a lot of frustation of not getting compensated for his services. Enfin.................life goes on..
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Douby,Hjoseph=singers;Mitou=gong;Carries=trombone;Judah=trumpet;Paul,Ceran=saxes;Tnes=bass;
Regi,Ronnie=guitars;Tjean=drum;Martial=tambour;Adclat,Kenny=claviers= the greatest haitian band

[yanvaloo]

Wow and will leave as that ..

Well say well put

this is live as we know it and in th e
HMI is always worst

accept and understad his Honesty and candid talk

.. but will admit i'm shock as well ..

passon ..

thanks Pat great read wow

[philosophenoir]

T-vice should put all aside et voye misyeu ale in a more glorious way.

This guy should be a lifetime member of T-Vice his departure shouldn't be the end.


I blame Gerald for not bringing his issues up to management.....he assumes that they would have been ignored but come on GERALD!

"C'est triste d'avour échoué mais impardonnable de n'avoir jamais essayé."




Some of the things you just talked about it is really a shame if that's the first time "management" is reading/hearing them.



It does not matter if management turned down 50 people before, you have not been turned down...so make them turn you down.

Voice your opinion.



Other than brother, I feel like you do the right thing to move on and T-vice as an institution should reevaluate themselves, embrace their employees, and make and keep them happy......



If you hired so and so in 1993 for $500 per bal today we are in 2013 almost 2014...I'm sure T-Vice fees went up so you should have reworked your employees salary.




I love T-Vice, I love Gerald......bonne chance.


Again Gerald in our eyes, fans, is or should be a lifetime member of the group.
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«Nègre, je suis et, nègre, je resterai.» Je suis Philosophenoir

[MenkiJan]

This guy is a class act and a very smart individual.

Bagay mwen pa janm ka konpran'n nan djaz Ayisyen sa yo se poukisa pou'w gen yon neg kom GERALD KEBREAU kap jwe nan yon djaz pandan 15-16 zan ave'w, ki ede'w ranmase lajan devan deye tout kote, epi'w pa vle fe'l part owner nan djaz la. Kisa kap soti sou ou si ke'w pataje fotine ke wap rekolte depi pre de 20 tan.

Lot bagay mwen pa konpran'n nan, se pou kisa yo pat vle peye tike pou GK si ke'l move Ayiti ya, mwen we djakout gen mizisyen nan tout planet la nan Haiti, Miami, Canada, New Jersey eksetera era..mwen tre dezapwente de T vice.
Best of luck to you in your future endeavor bro.

[AKI_VARAONSITE]

Wowww. Let us all agree that we are reading from a very well educated dude here..and in most cases guys like won't stay in this business unless they are part owners of a band...which make sense. But i just hope that Vice2k crew can work with this guy...cause he is one of the most talented...and down to earth musician in this business.


hmmm sur ces mots je pe...
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INTRODUCING YOUR BUSINESS TO THE WORLD..!!

[owen1055]

I hope anyone is not surprise by anything he mentioned. Like almost all the other bands in the HMI where a couple members share success while all the other musicians are left to struggle. I know Fanatik malad only like to point at other musicians but T vice is not any different. Just because musicians decide to stay with a band that does not equal to happiness.
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THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPINION AND FACTS.

[dejwe]

se yon tritess apre tout tan sa ou deja konnen yo paka fe anyen pou ou..se djakout ka fel se pa vice la ki pata ka fe sa mwen konnen li tap du but pou yon musicien gen tout tan sa epi nou paka edel is a danm shame..mpa kont li si li pa al kot manager a because after so long siw konn neg la vre ou ta dwe we problem li se sa yo rele brother a ..ithink it took gerald to lng to take that decision education isnt cheap to be wasted and let it be a lesson pou tout musicien se pa selman voyage a ki inpotan pou promote ap baw bannann ak griot nan hotel start planning for the future one of my idole you will be miss as i always enjoy watching you on stage

[Seby85]

owen1055 wrote:

I hope anyone is not surprise by anything he mentioned. Like almost all the other bands in the HMI where a couple members share success while all the other musicians are left to struggle. I know Fanatik malad only like to point at other musicians but T vice is not any different. Just because musicians decide to stay with a band that does not equal to happiness.

Well said. At the end of the day, a true capitalist's sole objective is the maximization of his/her profit. Gerald was smart enough to get out that vicious cycle.
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Be who you were meant to be….