In the most recent Chronique musicale, I wrote about Weber Sicot and his group. I mentioned then a musician who is actually considered one of the best musicians in the Montreal area: Eddy Prophète who used to play the accordion with Ensemble Weber Sicot. Much has occurred since. When two years ago, Eddy came out with his solo CD, that was long overdue. Since the late Jacky Duroseau, no Haitian pianist had produced a piano solo album. It was one of the best album to come out at the time. His second album with Gina Dupervil showed another facet of his talent, that of a skillful and sensitive arranger. Yet, for jazz fans, Eddy’s latest CD will be a real treat. His work places him right in the big league. Eddy Prophète is supported in this project by an excellent Japanese bassist , Tatsuhiko Kimura. The CD opens with a wonderful rendition of Lamothe’s tune "Gede Nibo". Imagine a Japanese playing a typically folkloric Haitian song in jazz. Eddy plays with feeling; he can be alternately soft, reflexive, seeming to engage in a dialogue with himself, his tone rising and falling. If you listen closely, you can pick up his voicing of the notes he plays at the piano. I consider him the greatest living Haitian jazz pianist. Jazz fans will relish tunes on this CD like "My foolish heart", "Corcovado", "Some day my Prince will come", and a beautiful song written by Eddy for his daughter and entitled "Katso".

Following the trend I referred to in previous installments, the compilation CDs are getting better and better. Last year, a CD called "Les Patrons du Compas" came out under the label "Bouzi Productions". A word about Ulrich Tuco Bouzi. Tuco is a musician’s musician who does not need any introduction. An excellent drummer, he has paid his dues by playing with the best bands around, such as the legendary Frères Déjean, Ska Sha, System Band and a multitude of other musicians. His own band Dixie Band was immensely successful and continues to perform from time to time. Based in Canada, Tuco has undertaken to periodically put out different kinds of CDs. One of the most recent, "Les Patrons du Compas" enlists a host of some of the most famous Haitian musicians: Ansyto, Joe Jack, Robert Martino, Joe Fortuné and many more. It is a nice party CD. But for me, the best tune has to be a beautiful arrangement of Ska Sha’s famous "Caroline". It is not often in Haitian Konpa that the violin plays such a lead role, and that is the case in this song. André Proulx does a wonderful job with and old tune. The CD contains a mixture of medley of old tunes and new material. Besides this, Tuco is also helping a number of Haitian groups in Canada to get on the music scene. In another installment, I will mention some of these groups.

AN UPDATE

As promised a couple of weeks ago, there is more information about "Les Ambassadeurs"’s holiday schedule, particularly for those living in the New York, New Jersey, Boston, Connecticut and who would not hesitate to drive to Boston. For the moment, I can tell you that the dance will take place on December 19. I can also tell you that les Ambassadeurs will be in Miami on December 26. But the juicy part is that there is a good chance that both Pascal Albert and Marc Yves Volcy, the legendary singers of the group, may be there, bringing some cherished memories to those who used to meet their girlfriends, or met their future wives, or even gave the ring while Pascal or Marc Yves were singing one of those wonderful "boleros" that Les Ambassadeurs" became famous for….We’ll keep you posted for more. Meanwhile, make a note in your calendar. Come December 19, things will get very hot.

Serge Bellegarde