Music of Haiti - Kompa or Compas

Here is a picture of the artist Mickael Guirand as he stepped down as Carimi lead singer.

On Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015, lead singer Mikael Guirand has announced his decision to leave Carimi for personal reasons which he has not yet disclosed. It is undoubtedly a shocking news for the lovers of Haitian music. Mikael, who was the "Mi" of Carimi, has been with the band with Carlo Vieux and Richard Cavé from the beginning when they formed the band in 2002 in New York. He has said that, staying away from his fans is not an easy decision, a kind of sacrifice rather-- still he hopes his fan will understand the gravity of personal reasons that forced him to step away from the stage.

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Do you want to learn how to dance Haitian Kompas Music? When you go to a Haitian party, do you want all eyes to be focused on your dance moves? Kompa Artistic dance Lesson is the solution for you.

Kompa Artistic dance is Kompa dance class that is enriched. The classes are provided by two competent instructors: Cliford and Gaelle Jasmin who have been dedicated to make Kompas dance even more beautiful and richer. Some of the steps in Kompa dance have been taken directly from the Haitian folklore, while others, coming from the creativity of the Haitian people

We have several locations in several countries to help you. Below is a list of addresses where you can learn how to dance Kompa Artistic dance

NORTH MIAMI BEACH
SALSABOR FLORIDA dance class
on Saturdays 3-4PM
at VK Dance studio
3363 NE 163rd street
North Miami Beach, FL 33160
MIAMI
SALSABOR FLORIDA dance class
on Saturdays 6-9PM
at Little Haiti Cultural Center
212-260 NE 59th Terrace
Miami, FL 33137

MARGATE (BROWARD)
SALSABOR FLORIDA dance class
on Thursdays 7-11PM
at Gold Choice Ballroom
345 South State Rd. 7
Margate, FL 33068

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Richard Duroseau, former accordionist of the Ensemble Nemours Jean-Baptiste, former keyboardist Skah Shah # 1; Albert Chancy, cofounder and first maestro Tabou Combo Pétion-Ville; André Dejean, former trumpeter of Déjean Brothers, David Metellus, alias Ti Henrio and koka (Boulo) Valcourt awarded at the National Palace.

On Thursday, October 8, 2015, during a ceremony at the National Palace, President Martelly honored five Haitian music personalities, elevated to the rank of National Order of Honor and Merit, Grade of Knight, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the Haitian music. The awardees were: Albert Chancy, cofounder and first maestro Tabou Combo Pétion-Ville, Richard Duroseau, former accordionist of the Ensemble Nemours Jean-Baptiste, former keyboardist Skah Shah # 1, André Dejean, former trumpeter of Déjean Brothers, Henrio (Boulo) Valcourt, and David Metellus aka Ti Coka. While delivering his speech for the occasion in the presence of the Prime Minister Evans Paul, the President has said that the contribution by these honorees should inspire today's youths to enrich the Haitian culture.

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Here is a picture of Rchie, the maestro of the Haitian group Klass, winner of Best Haitian Entertainer of the Year 2015.

On October 4, 2015 at the Bailey Hall of Broward College Central Campus in Davie, Florida, during the 34th Annual International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA) ceremony, the Haitian Compas band 'Klass' has been given the "Best Haitian Entertainer of the Year 2015" award. Another Haitian Compas band based in Florida, has won the "Florida Haitian Entertainer of the Year" award for 2015. Every year, the International Reggae & World Music Awards are announced under the management of the THELAR Management Group and Martin's International Culture. Experts on Haitian music participate from the U.S, Europe, Canada, France and Africa who look after the nomination process, and the winner is selected on their releases between June 2014 and May 31st, 2015 by considering their social relevance, popularity at different levels, stage appearances, originality, etc. The THELAR Management Group oversees the Haitian category.

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Here is a picture of Haitian artist Jean-Jean Roosevelt.

Jean-Jean Roosevelt, the winner of the 7th edition of the Games of La Francophonie, held in Opéra de Nice, France, has been invited by the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF) to perform in a concert during the official ceremony of the Francophonie to be held in Hanoi, Vietnam on March 20, 2015. A second concert for him would be jointly organized by the Embassy of Haiti in Vietnam and OIF, is scheduled for March 22 in Ho Chi Minh City at the venue of the National Conservatory of Music. Jean-Jean Roosevelt has proved that wholesome entertainments if combined with art, imagination, sensitivity, poetry, song and talent- they are simply Haitians. With this initiative, the Haitian Embassy in Vietnam wishes to promote artistic and cultural exchanges between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of Haiti.

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Here is a picture of Occide Jeanty Music Academy in Cité Soleil founded by Pastor Jean Enock

The "Occide Jeanty Music Academy or the Academie Musicale Occide Jeanty (AMOJ)" was founded by Pastor Jean Enock in Cité Soleil on August 6, 2006. Pastor Enock was born and brought up in this suburb of Port-au-Prince with a dream in his mind to set up a "Haitian Youth Orchestra" which will provide an alternative to the children and adolescents who were once falling prey of gang violence (known as "Operation Bagdad") which ravaged the community between 2004-2007. After 10 years of Pastor's hard work and with its present 250 AMOJ students, the music academy has been successfully reduced the violence and misery in Cité Soleil. The most of the students come from extremely impoverished backgrounds; contribute a nominal fee to participate in the program under a small team of part time teachers. Their parents have reported substantial improvement in the characters of the children. They have become responsible, punctual and disciplined after joining the group. This is the only important artistic event in the community and a source of pride for them.

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Here is a picture of Karizma Kompa music Band as they were performing at Big Night in Little Haiti in January, 2015

Gospel plays a Big Part in Karizma's Success

Karizma, one of Haiti's most popular bands, is releasing their second CD, Virus soon. The New York-based group comprising eight members plays a mix of Konpa, R & B, Gospel, and Hip-Hop.

A group member says what makes Karizma so unique from other bands, is all members come from musical backgrounds, and Gospel is their primary influence and key to success.

Karizma will be performing at Big Night in Little Haiti in January.

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Here is a tip that Furgerson or any other city having issues with race riot could learn from. Police officers and the Haitian Community as partners. In this picture, two Miami Police Officers are dancing Rara Lakay in Little Haiti.

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Haiti's New Youth Orchestra Inspired by Venezuela's El Sistema

President Martelly officiated at the first performance of the Orchestra of the National Music Institute of Haiti (INAMUH) in Hinche. The audience watched a performance given by children from the Hinche training academy.

The launch of INAMUH occurred in Jacmel with Venezuelan President Canino present, whose El Sistema youth orchestra is the prototype for Haiti's new youth orchestra.

Four centers of INAMUH have been established in Haiti: Hinche, Jacmel, and two in Port-au-Prince.

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Rodney Christmas and Roberto Martino of T-Vice have been excluded from the Haitian Compas Festival for four years. A public dispute between the band members and the festival promoter created the rift.

T-Vice has since resolved their differences with the promoter, and will be on stage playing May 17, 2014, at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida, along with special guest Kassav

According to T-Vice's Cecibon, "We found an agreement and we will be there in force."

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