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