Nemours Jean-Baptiste (February 2, 1918 – May 18, 1985) was a Haitian saxophonist, writer, and band leader. He is credited with being the inventor of compas, also known as compas direct, a style of Haitian music.[1]
Nemours Jean-Baptiste | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Maestro |
| Born | February 2, 1918 Port-au-Prince, Haiti |
| Died | May 1985 (aged 66–67) Haiti |
| Genres | Compas |
| Occupation(s) | Instrumentalist, composer, band leader |
| Instrument | Saxophone |
Nemours nicknamed "maestro" married Marie-Félicité Olivier with whom he had two daughters, Yvrose, Marie-Denise and a son, Yves-Nemours.[2] Nemours dedicated many songs to his friends and fans. The 1967 composition "Ti Carole", dedicated to his fan Kouri, became famous and is still a favorite.[3]
In the early sixties, many of the Group Compas Direct's compositions were in praise of women and healthy relationships "Ti Carole" was one of the famous hit that remains amongst the Top ten list for over a year. Nemours and the Group performed at several New York night club in the early seventies.
Rivalry with Webert Sicot
editDuring Jean-Baptiste's early career, he played in a band with fellow Haitian artist Webert Sicot called Conjunto Internacional. Years after the band dissolved, Webert Sicot introduced a new dance rhythm that bore many similarities to Jean-Baptiste's compas. During the period of argument and controversy that followed, the two took lyrical jabs at each other in their songs. The competition between the two culminated in a soccer match between the two artists and their respective bands, which ended in a 1–1 tie.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Nemours Jean-Baptiste." http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=19714. Accessed 9 February 2012.
- ^ "Nemours Jean-Baptiste: Family".
- ^ "Haiti-Reference:Notables".
- ^ "Nemours, Jean-Baptiste and Sicot, Wéber." http://www2.oxfordaasc.com/article/opr/t0002/e2880[permanent dead link]. Accessed 9 February 2012.
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