This December, we’re all about jazz from Haiti! This beautiful island nation is home to a plethora of unique cultures, and its music scene is equally as diverse.
From jazz to French influences to the music of Africa and Latin America, Haiti has been called home by so many incredible musicians, many of which have travelled the world.
Welcome to the last episode of the 2023 season of Jazz Around the World.
In the first episode of Jazz Around The World, you were able to travel to the birthplace of Jazz, New Orleans. Interestingly enough, I’ve stumbled upon an article by Jean Eddy Saint Paul, a Ph. D. Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of the CUNY Haitian Studies Institute who mentioned that some scholars believe that the migration and exchange between Saint Domingue (Haiti/Ayiti) and Louisiana (USA) during the eighteenth to the beginning of the nineteenth centuries had a major impact on jazz and also on NOLA’s culture.
Haiti is the first independent nation and post-colonial independent black-led nation in the world. The only nation whose independence was gained as part of a successful slave rebellion. On the first of January 2024, Haiti (Ayiti) will be celebrating 220 years of independence. You probably guessed it! This episode is all about Haiti, which is also my parents’ motherland, another good reason why I decided to pay homage to Jazz hailing from this country.
Once called la perle des Antilles (the pearl of the Caribbean), today, Haiti’s reputation in the news is not very glorious. Yes, there’s corruption, instability, basic needs are not provided across the country but one thing I can testify is when you travel out of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital city, you will witness the beautiful stunning landscapes and pristine beaches that Haiti has to offer. Costa Georgiadis from ABC’s Gardening Australia would probably be impressed by some of the great initiatives of ecological sustainable permaculture gardens in place in the countryside. Haiti possesses an astonishing history and culture which includes a plethora of talented poets, artists (Préfète Duffaut, Philippe Dodard, Fabiola Jean-Louis, Laurent Casimir), authors such as Edwidge Danticat, Yanick Lahens and Frankétienne, film directors such as Arnold Antonin and Oscar nominated film director Raoul Peck (I am not your negro and L’homme sur les quais) to name just a few who were either born in the country or are part of the Haitian diaspora.
When it comes to music, the different sounds of Haiti reflect the history of the island, from Konpa/Compas, Mini-Jazz, Twoubadou, Mizik rasin, Rara and many more, the rhythms and the musical diversity is simply stunning! In this episode we will obviously focus on jazz and discover Mastro Issa El Saieh who is considered to be the man who brought jazz in the 1940s to Haiti. Cuban pianist Bebo Valdès collaborated closely with him. The documentary Maestro Issa, directed by Frantz Voltaire, talks all about this era.
The last song of the show, ‘Meci Bon Dieu (Thank you God)’, was originally composed by Haitian-American guitarist and composer Frantz Casseus back in the 1950s. This song is very dear to my heart and I always sing it at the end of my concerts for reasons you will discover in the show. ‘Mèsi Bondyé’ has been interpreted throughout the years by many artists such as Harry Belafonte and Leyla McCalla. The version you will discover is the instrumental version by American jazz saxophonist Charlie Rouse. It’s a way of showing how Haitian music has touched many souls around the world. American jazz bassist Charles Mingus even composed “Haitian Fight Song” to show his support to the nation.
Haitians are resilient, creative and resourceful souls who have been braving a lot of challenges and adversity. Despite all the chaos and instability and thanks to their powerful history, I can certify that they are proud to be Haitians and I am proud to be a Haitian French Canadian Australian! Explore more about Haiti’s beauty and culture on the country’s national tourism website. And a hot tip for any geopolitical enthusiasts and global citizens, the online newspaper Haiti Weekly (Dèyè Mon Enfo) which provides reliable current information on what’s going on in the country.”
From Buyu Ambroise, Jonathan Michel, Issa El Saieh, Raoul Guillaume, Makaya Jazz, David Bontemps, Emmanuel Delly, Jude Deslouches, Cydric Féréol, Gashford Guillaume, Eddy Bourjolly, Groupe Konbit Rasin, Paul Beaudry, Bobby Raymond, Toto Bissainte, Obed Calvaire, Welmyr Jean Pierre, Sarah Elizabeth Charles, Nathalie Joachim, Allan Mednard, Beethova Obas, Mozayik, Philippe Charles, Gashford Guillaume, Markus Schwartz (Haitian in the heart), Cécile McLorin Salvant, Talie (Nathalie Cerin), Emeline Michel, Jean Caze, Frantz Casséus, Melanie Charles, TiCorn (Cornelia Schütt), Guy Durosier, Toto Laraque, Martha Jean-Claude, Fito Vivien, Alix “Tit” Pascal, James “Tiga” Jean-Baptiste, Frantz Courtois, Réginald Policard, Pauline Jean, Andrew Cyrille, Dominique Fils-Aimé, Godwin Louis, Ralph Millet, Harold Faustin, Erol Josué, Super Jazz Des Jeunes, Kreyol Jazz, Malou Beauvoir, Ralph Boncy, Johnbern Thomas, David Fackeure, and Val Jeanty, I hope you will enjoy some of the artists showcased in this episode.
Who knows, maybe this will be the precursor to many jazz musicians with a Haitian background coming to Australia to perform during Melbourne or Perth’s International Jazz Festival? Why not spice it up with Tabou Combo at the Womadelaide Festival? Imagine, Jazz, Compa, Haitian arts and my mother flying over to cook some delicious Haitian food. I am sure that all the Carribeans, LatinX, African diaspora and Australians would be delighted to join and enjoy a memorable experience of this sort.
In a final note, this episode is dedicated to all the Haitians in the world, to my aunty who introduced me to the legends of Haitian Compas, Tabou Combo, to my uncle who shared his passion for jazz when I was a little girl. I shall always remember the joy and pride in his eyes showcasing his amazing vinyl jazz record collection whilst enjoying with him the warm, raspy, smooth sound of jazz. Thank you tonton!
I hope this article and this month’s episode was able to show you the beauty and the many facets of Haiti.
May you have a fabulous festive season with your loved ones and may peace and jazzy music be with you!
Merci, thank you for keeping your hearts in tune with Jazz Around The World in 2023.
~ Athésia xoxo ~
Credits
Athésia, Presenter, Producer, Music CuratorABC Jazz team: Production support
Learn more about Athésia’s trip around the world:
https://www.abc.net.au/jazz/athesiamusic/13928104
Jazz Around the World:
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/jazz-around-the-world
Source link : https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/jazz-around-the-world/jazz-around-the-world/103163742
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Publish date : 2023-11-30 03:00:00
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