This interview is with Yvon "Kapi" André of Tabou Combo, arguably Haiti's most famous and internationally acclaimed band. The drummer talks about the band's origins in Pétionville's teenage music scene among other bands like Les Shleu Shleu and the Difficiles de Pétionville. André joined the band, originally known as Los Incognitos, and was an innovator in the konpa rhythm. Notably, the band has also been covered by Carlos Santana and introduced to a larger world stage. The band had a #1 hit in 1975 in the French recording industry for their song "New York CIty," a tale of the Haitian experience in the Diaspora that achieved them national fame and celebrity. Since then, they've performed on nearly every continent and have achieved the most financial success for a Haitian konpa band. 2 DVDs
Interview with Yves "Fanfan" Joseph, manager and vocalist for Tabou Combo, the most commercially successful Haitian band. Joseph has been with Tabou Combo since August 1968. In this interview, he explains the commercial origins of the band and how they faced adversity in collecting royalties in international markets. After selling half a million records of their 1976 single "New York City" and not receiving royalties, Joseph began studying the music business as a means of protecting the group from record label exploitation. Joseph describes Tabou Combo's creative and financial encounters with Carlos Santana, who covered their song "Mabouya." He also provides an overview of the band's international travels as the first Haitian band in Japan, throughout Africa, and the Lesser Antilles. Tabou Combo was one of the several mini-djaz groups influenced by French popular music, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones, among other international styles built on top of their traditional konpa music. Joseph describes the longevity, repertoire, and fan reception of the group and how they utilize SACEM to retain royalties. The band has increased its international presence, reaching into new territory in Gabon and Angola. Interviewer: Kevin Mason Length of interview (in minutes): 28:03 Hollywood, FL
Yolande Thomas is a beloved community figure in New York as well as in Miami. She is well known for her beauitful voice and her acting talents. However, most importantly, she has always been at the forefront of all community activities defending the rights of Haitian immigrants. She was named the 2013 Mother of the Year for her deovted work within the archdiocese of Miami and the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Queens, NY. Growing up in Haiti, she enjoyed music, singing, and acting. At the age of five, she was already on the stage, performing at school activities. Yolande Thomas came to the United States in 1954. In New York, she obtained a certificate in office management at City College and a certificate in Socal Work at Adelphi University. In the late 1970's, Ms. Thomas became very activite in the Haitian choir at the church of the Sacred Heart in Queens. Around that time, an exodus of Haitians was leaving Haiti under the dictatorship of the present government for political and economical reasons. The need of a Haitian Center was necessary to provide services to the new arrivals. Reverent Father Guy Sansaricq, with the help of some concerned citizens, founded HAUP (Haitian Americans United for Progress). Ms. Thomas was one of the co-founders. Ms. Thomas became an activist when she met the "Haitian Fathers": Reverend Antoine Adrien, Reverend William Smart, Reverend Jean-Yves Urfie, and Reverend Emile Jacquot. As a Haitan artist, she participated in the plays of well-known playwrights, such as: Mr. Rene Audain, Mr. Otto Louis-Jacques, Mrs. Merceded Guignard (Deita), Mr. Felix Morisseau-Leroy. However, her "cup of tea" was when she joined "Sosyete Koukouy" in 1982 in New York. When she moved from New York to Miami, Mr. Jan Mapou, with a group of Haitian artists, founded the Miami Branch of "Sosyete Koukoy" in 1985. In that same year, Ms. Thomas served as an administrator at the Pierre Toussaint Haitian Catholic Center, Notre-Dame D'Haiti church, from 1985 through 2004 under the direction of Reverend Father Thomas G. Wenski, who is presently the Archbship of Miami. Interviewer: Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis Miami, FL
Viktor El-Saieh is a painter who works between Miami and Port-au-Prince. He is the grandson of celebrated Haitian bandleader Issa El-Saieh, who amassed the largest private collection of Haitian art. His family now runs the El-Saieh Gallery that has frequent visitors during weekends by appointment. The Haitian artist discusses his current works a year on from his opening of Historical Precedence and the present state of the El-Saieh Gallery in Port-au-Prince. He has recently been commissioned by a private collector and speaks about his new works being commissioned. The gallery housed many well-known Haitian artists who worked and painted on the grounds. Viktor El-Saieh is currently the only artist painting there.
This interivew is with the visual artist Viktor El-Saieh on the opening of his show "Historical Precedence" on March 12, 2011 in Miami, FL. The show depicts Haitian leadership through a series of portraits and gives El-Saieh's insights to Haitian projections of their own historical governance. His work takes on projections of historical figures like Toussaint L'ouverture to the most recent president Michel Martelly. This interview seeks to address questions dealing with the artist's output here in Miami as well as how his work has been influenced by his home country of Haiti. Interviewer: Kevin Mason Length of interview (in minutes): 23:00 Miami, FL
Interview with Sophia Lacroix, a Haitian-born painter who is based in South Florida. Through her work using the hyperrealism style, Lacroix aims to "transport" the observer to a vision of Haiti that conjures up images of her childhood through nostalgic portraits of everyday Haitians. She describes her style in terms of vibrant colors and uses powerful imagery to depict "the strength and bravery of the Haitian people and the innocence and playfulness of its children." The City of North Miami recognized her as Artist of the Year in May of 2007, which led to her increased presence in the art world in cities across the country. Her most public work is a 3' x 3' mural at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex in Miami, which was completed in February of 2009. This interview covers her current accomplishments and directions she has taken since becoming an artist as well as the outside expectations placed on her as a Haitian-American artist. Interviewer: Kevin Mason Length of interview (in minutes): 42:12 Coral Gables, FL 1 DVD
Interview with Smith Jean-Baptiste, the influential percussionist in the band Les Shleu Sheu. Started in 1966, the band rose to fame playing after volleyball games in their local high schools. In this interview, Jean-Baptiste speaks about the seminal days of konpa until the band moved to New York in the 1970s. Today, South Florida is the capital of konpa music, with at least 10-15 well-know Haitian konpa bands in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, including Les Shleu Shleu. The band members all live in South Florida, which Jean-Baptiste considers the "Capital of Konpa Music." In this interview, Smith Jean-Baptiste covers the historical roots of the band, its transition in the diaspora, and their performance today. The inteview also includes a live demonstration of his kalisembal (riding the cymbal) technique. Interviewer: Kevin Mason Length of interview (in minutes): 25:05 Pembroke Pines, FL
Sandy Dorsainvil is the new Executive Director of the Little Haiti Cultural Center. She has worked in several important positions within the community, such as Excecutive Director of the Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance. With her exceptional programming and community development skills coupled with her knowledge of marketing, advertising, and public affairs, she has developed a great number of quality programs for the Broward school system and many other professional organizations. Sandy is a Haitian-American and has always lent a helping hand to her community. Her community activities include the following: Florida International Volunteer Corp Volunteer - conducted a workshop on college admission processes in Port-au-Prince, Haiti - City of Miami Arts and Entertainment Council, Mayor Appointee - Miami-Dade County District 5 Arts Advisory Panel - Haitian American Professionals Coalition, etc. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in History at Howard University and her Master of Business Administration in Marketing at Lynn University. Interviewer: Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis Pembroke Pines, FL
Rosie Gordon-Wallace is the Founder, Director & Curator of Diaspora Vibe Gallery and Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator. Since 1996, Gordon-Wallace has initiated and produced transnational creative programs that redefine concepts of "diaspora", including the International Cultural Exchange program, the Caribbean Crossroads Series, the Artist-In-Residence program, an ongoing contemporary exhibitions program, and numerous community-based outreach projects. One might never have guessed that this licensed Medical Microbiologist and former Senior Consultant for Searle Pharmaceuticals from 1981-1999 is now the founder and curator of Diaspora Vibe, one of the most talked about Caribbean art incubators in Miami and on the east coast. Gordon-Wallace, always a passionate lover of art, made up her mind in 1999 to devote herself full-time to the gallery she created and dveloped. Diaspora Vibe Gallery and Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator specializes in Caribbean and Latin American Art with an emphasis on emerging artists. The gallery supports the development of new work by Caribbean artists by offering exhibition opportunities, artist talks, workshops, and other skill-building core values for emerging artists. She is dynamic and unstoppable and continues to create international cultural experiences for Miami artists that add value to our cultural aesthetic and economy with activities that bind us to "Here and There". Rosie connects cultures and inspires action. She is also an active community member serving on the boards of diverse organizations, such as the National Performance Network, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Peforming Arts, the Design & Architecture High School and Bayshore Lutheran. Rosie has been awarded the In the Company of Women 2013 Award for Arts and Entertainment, the Red Cross Spectrum Award for Culture, the Miami Beach Black Advisory Board Award for Arts and Culture, and the Arts and Business Culture Award for Shining Stars among other awards for Arts and Culture. Interviewer: Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis Pembroke Pines, FL
Paulette Saint Lot was born in Pétion Ville, Haiti. She is the daugther of Aglae Rameau and Haitian Diplomat, Legislator, Jurist and Educator, the late Dr. Emile Saint-Lot. The late Dr. Emile Saint-Lot was the Haitian Plenipotentiary at the signing of the United Nations Charter in San Francisco in 1945. She often travelled with her father particularly in Europe. Following in her father's footsteps, Mrs. Saint-Lot Frank served in the Haitian diplomatic corps in Spain and England. She studied at the London and Madrid Conservatory. An outstanding mezzo-Soprano, she played soloist roles such as Carmen in Carmen de Bizet, Amneris in Aida de Verdi, with the New York State Opera and Harlem Civic Opera. Mrs. Frank returned to Haiti in the late 1950's and subsequently was offered a position in the Haitian Tourist Department. One of her major accomplishments is her contribution to Consecration, an adaptation of Macaya Roi and a comedy-drama by Andre Narcisse. In 1964, Paulette left Haiti a second time to immigrate to New York, USA with her 2 sons. It was there she met Dr. Henry Frank whom she married. Dr. Frank was then the Consul General of the Republic of Haiti in New York. During that time period, she served as the Executive Secretary of the Organization of African Unity to the United Nation in charge of Administration and Finance. Paulette is also the Artistic Director and Choreographer of the Ibo Dancers of Haiti. This well-known dance company has performed at many prestigious venues such as Carnegi Hall, Madison Square Gardens, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Place des Arts (Canada). Mrs. Saint-lot has been the recipient of many distinguished awards, such as the "Best Choreographer" Certificate of Appreciation for Contribution in Music and Dance by the American Embassy (Haiti). In 1985, Mrs. Saint-Lot Frank produced and directed the first Haitian musical in New York City, Lakou Lakay. The musical was first presented at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on June 2, 1985. Ms. Saint-Lot Frank was awarded the Best Director and Choregorapher prize for her work in Lakou Lakay. Interviewer: Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis Pembroke Pines, FL
Nancy St. Legér is an educator and an esteemed Haitian cultural artist. She has been performing Haitian dance traditions and rhythms for the past 20 years both in New York and South Florida. She is a graduate of St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn, NY) and Nova Suotheastern University (Davie, FL). She obtained a Master's Degree in Specific Learning Disabilities, and she is presently a Doctoral Candidate at Nova Southeastern University (Organizational Leadership). Nancy is an exceptional teacher who dedicated her life working with students with emotional and learning disabilities. She began her teaching career at P.S. 40M and P.S. 189M in Brooklyn, NY. In 1994, she moved to Miami and continued her crusade as a Speech and Language Pathologist and as a Special Education teacher. She is currently assigned to Coconut Grove Elementary as a teacher of students with learning disabilities. Nancy is very respected and admired by her peers and the parents of the students she is helping. However, in addition to her teaching career, Nancy St. Legér has been involved in the Haitian community through her cultural work as the Director of Folkloric Dance for Sosyete Koukouy Miami, Inc., as Director of Haitian Arts and Culture for Children and Film Makers. She is also President of HACCHI films, Inc. and appeared in two Haitian movies, Les Voleurs in Creole and Hard Times in English, and in the Charlie's Angels TV show. Her first film, Tanbou: Legacy of the Drums premiered on May 26, 2013 at the Little Haiti Cultural Center. She is currently developing an educational program for television. Interviewer: Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis Interviewer: Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis Miami, FL
Monvelyno Alexis is a Haitian musician in the sanba tradition. The movement derives from the style of Haitian mizik racine and began with the musician Lesly Louis Marcelin who performs as "Sanba Zao." Alexis performs throughout the world and has several residencies in Brooklyn, NY, where he lives. Alexis is also a painter who uses Veve imagery of Vodou. In this interview, Alexis covers his musical career, his work as a painter, and the deeply ingrained spirituality he has as a Haitian musician in the Diaspora. Interviewer: Kevin Mason Miami, FL
