Versatility in the Caribbean Music- Spanish

Hola! Amigos :) Welcome Back!

In the blog we will be exploring versatility in the Spanish speaking aspect of the Caribbean so come on  vamonos .  

To start off we can see versatility in full effect in the musician  Laureano Fuentes Matons. This Cuban composer was born July 3rd 1825 and died September 30th 1898. His skill and diversity can be observed though his many chamber works, sacred pieces, a symphonic poem América, an opera, Seila and several zarzuelas. 

 retrieved from: https://www.ecured.cu/Laureno_Fuentes_Matons

Although this song is sung by a different artist. This song was transcribed by Laurean Fuentes Matons himself, in his book "Las artes en Santiago de Cuba", published 1893

Another way versatility can be observed  is through instruments used in percussions. Gourds that are a very common used for eating is used  as a make shift instrument, like maracas, if that's not diversity I don't know what is. These dried up vegetables produce sounds combined with other instruments to enhance the musical experience. 

 

 retrieved from:https://www.carvedculture.com/blogs/articles/what-is-a-gourd

In this video we can see how these vegetables are used in a creative way. This shows clearly that they can be use for other purposes. 

Can you think another way to use gourds vegetables outside of food or an instrument?

Well that's all folks!!

See you next time ;)

References

Béhague Gerard, Moore Robin, Grove Music Online Cuba, Republic of (Sp. República de Cuba) (2001)

https://ubmoodle.ub.edu.bs/pluginfile.php/397065/mod_resource/content/2/Cuba%20Grove%20Music.pdf

https://peoplepill.com/people/laureano-fuentes/bibliography/ 

https://www.elchago.com/2020/10/05/la-ma-teodora-el-primer-son-de-la-historia-compuesto-en-santiago-de-cuba/

 Versatility in the Caribbean Music- Dutch

Now on to Dutch!

In this blog we will see of some  way to  how versatility works in the Dutch aspect of the Caribbean, more specifically in Aruba.

One musician that we can zoom in to really study this element in is Juan Chabaya Lampe, a known composer. Also known as Padu del Caribe, according to Tour de Force, he had a variety of skills which included singing, writing poems, playing cuarto, mandolin, and clarinet.

Juan Chabaya Lampe retrieved from:https://149363308.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Padu-del-Caribe-feature-image.jpg

 If that isn't versatility I don't know what is

In this video we can all see his pianist skills are in full display. Something that I found very interesting was that he was 90 years old in this video. Shocked! His performance was flawless and his hands are very steady and you can tell that he loves what he does. Now that's talent :) 

Another example that can be used to further expand on versatility is gourd vegetables. These vegetables, more specifically the calabash are very common through out the Dutch Caribbean island. 

I know what you're thinking. How can a vegetable be versatile?

Well did you know that these vegetables are not only used for food. They can be used for containers, utensil and art projects. Due to gourds having hard shells and a cylinder shape it can be used artistically and as house hold item. 

Musical instruments such as maracas can be made from this vegetable.

I know this is a bit lengthy but this video just simply shows the calabash process of becoming art or containers. 

Well that's all folks!

Thank you for your time and see you next time ;)

References 

Gangelhoff, C & Legrand C.  (2019). Le Grand Cathleen  Tour de Force: A Musical Journey of the Caribbean. Retrieved from: https://online.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9789769624900/epubcfi/6/496[%3Bvnd.vst.idref%3DTour_deForce_epub_8.16.19-248]!/4[Tour_deForce_epub_8.16.19-248]

https://www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/ecoph36.htm

 Versatility in the Caribbean Music - French

The Versatility of Musicians

In the French speaking aspect of the Caribbean the versatility of musicians can be seen in full effect. 

Josh Bologne

The popular Joseph Bologne, according to tour de force, is one of the most important musical figure to emerge from Guadeloupe. He was an  accomplish composer, conductor, violinist, and fencer.

To further show his versatility, it can be noted that later in his career, had abandoned instrumental musical almost entirely and began composing operas. This shows that he can dabble in different genres of music. 

Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de Saint- Georges. Retrived from:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevalier_de_Saint-Georges 

 

This classical piece "L'amant Anonyme" translated as " The Anonymous Lover" is composed by Joseph Bologne himself. This was composed in the year of 1780 as an instrumental and is currently known as his only surviving opera piece. I that this piece speaks to all hopeless romantics.

Thurgot Théodat 

Another popular versatile musican can be found in Haiti. Thurgot Théodat  is known to play his own contemporary version of Vodou Jazz. He proves to be versatile by  knowing how to play saxophone, and by being a composer, and arranger. According to Tour de Force, He discovered jazz while a student in Paris, a place of discovery for so many artists. Upon returning to Haiti began learning Vodou drums and music. His Vodou Jazz  is known to be mixes jazz with rhythm elements of Vodou music.

 Thurgot Théodat. retrieved from: from https://www.facebook.com/actualiteThurgotTheodat/ 

This video shows off  Thurgot Theodat playing his saxophone, while also giving us a glimpse of the natrual wonders of Haiti.

Versatility of Instruments

Rara is festive music played at parades during the weeks around Easter. Rara bands are known to be played with non- typical homemade instruments. Anything that can make noise are allowed: Examples are: vaksin, drums and maracas, and make shift percussion such as scrapers, rattles, bottles, and whistles.

 retrieved from: https://musicofhaiti.wordpress.com/tag/rara/

 retrieved from: https://montreal.haitienfolie.com/event/defile-rara-haiti-en-folie/

This video give us a small glimspe of what rara is. Although rara is not known to be intimate, but the concept is there. It can be observed that "normal" instruments aren't being used and shows that instruments can be what ever you may like. 

Thank You.

References

Tour de Force: A Musical Journey of the Caribbean

https://www.wfmt.com/2022/11/05/bolognes-lamant-anonyme/

https://musicofhaiti.wordpress.com/tag/rara/

 Versatility in Caribbean Music - English

In the Caribbean, music plays a major role in our identity. It is a part of who we are. It's versatile nature can be examined in a few ways 

1) Musicians. 

Musician are especially versatile and multi talented. They have the ability to master many skills which is beneficial to their lifestyle. An example of this is Bunny Wailer, an original member of group the Wailers. Bunny Wailer, also known as Neville O' Riley Livingston, was a Jamaican artist, song writer and percussionist.

 

Bunny Wailer- retrieved from: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bunny-wailer-dies-age-73-wailers-original-member-stroke-complications/

In this video Bunny's skills as a performer and singer can be analyzed. 

 

2) Musical Instruments.

The Caribbean people are versatile when it comes to musical instruments, it is not a foreign concept to find objects around the island and coax some of the most wondrous sounds out it. For example conch shell, Poinciana seed pod and the goat skin used for goat skin drum  the Bahamas 

 Seed pod- retrieved from: https://www.uncommoncaribbean.com/caribbean/flamboyant-tree/

Conch Shell-retrieved from: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/conch-decline-overfishing-the-bahamas 

Goat Skin Drum-  rerrived from: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/438678819924999695/

In this video it can be seen how versatile a conch shell can be as an instrument. 

As can be seen versatility is a common feat in Caribbean music.

References 

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/02/arts/music/bunny-wailer-dead.html

Versatility In Caribbean Music- Intro

In this blog we will be exploring versatility in the music of the Caribbean.

Versatility is described the ability to embrace change and adapt to it

 

Music is known to be is an ever-changing element that shifts and changes with both time and environment. With this fact it is no surprise that those who wield it also have the gift of flexibility to adapt to different aspects of life. Musician are known to be multitalented where in order to be able to accept to its ever-changing wave.

Musicians are able to have wide ranges of skills from: singing, dancing, performing, composing and creating music, and being able to teach such skill to others.

Stevie Wonder

Photo taken from: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/08/arts/music/stevie-wonder-songs-in-key-of-life-madison-square-garden-review.html

In this video in can observed that this Haitian artist, Phyllisia Ross, is not only a singer with great vocals but also a pianist.  This is an example of versatility.

 An musician can also be versatile in music genres and not just skills. Many are fluid and are able to dabble in different aspects of music for example soca, dancehall, Kompa, rake n scrape, and rap.

photo taken from:https://musiconline.co/en/blog/music-genres

 

Shenseea, a dance hall artist, dabbling with rap.