Tropicana

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ORCHESTRE TROPICANA D"HAITI

INTRO

The era of Big Ensemble is long gone in the Haitian musical scene, we remember Jazz des Jeunes, Orchestre Aux Calebasses, Orchestre Citadelle, etc They are part of those bands where complete horn sections, rythm and bass lines and drums line gave a more solid live sound. However, they were fading away giving place to smaller mini jazz style.

HISTORY

In Cap-Haitien, there were several ensembles during the 50's and 60's. One of these orchestras was an ephemerian "Orchestre Caraibes", which members decided later to create Tropicana. The title 'Tropicana" come from a famous cuban nightclub in Havana, Cuba of the same title. Little did the young musicians know how this group will grow to become a giant in his own right. The band is considered today part of the Haitian national treasure. Orchestre Tropicana over the years found successes everywhere in Haiti and abroard. An appreciation that the band deserves after years of discipline and hard work. Almost half a century later, the band keeps flying high, bringing good music to many places while representing Haiti's pride. Orchestre Tropicana always play as a big ensemble with more than a dozen of people.

photos courtesy of Marc Records

Tropicana sometimes tells its own story through its music, Early 1960's, 1963 to be exact, the orchestra was founded in Cap-Haitien. They had a tough childhood, they went through uncountable obstacles. At the time, Orchestre Septentrional was already a monumental orchestra in Cap-Haitien. "Nou pase anpil peripesi" is how they describe that childhood.

"Siklon pase

Lavalanch tonbe

Yo Bouskule N

Yo din san vale

Nou La "

-20 Ans

But they struggled and persisted until 1969, when in their own terms they describe as the year they find their equilibrium. Since then Orchestre Tropicana never looks back. They went from a local band in Cap-Haitien, to become Orchestra Tropicana D'Haiti, and later L'intercontinental. Great compositions with profound lyrics, the group Tropicana can turn any situation into the amazing language of music. Their music celebrate our race, our heroes "Le negre", our country "Haiti, Perle des Antilles", our social life "Renmen Moun Ki renmen W", "Lakou Lakay" "Fok Sa Change" etc etc Sometimes they play slow boleros "C'est Bien D'aimer", other times they play the heaviest konpa around "Gason Total", "Kenbe Diyite W". The group musical ingenuity is no coincidence, serious organization under leadership of talented musicians makes up the basic of Tropicana. The original main influential members since the early 1960's of which many still play a great role in the band are the following: Cinna O Charles 'Ti Blanc', Emmanuel Turenne, Charlemagne Pierre Noel, Daniel Lariviere, Giordanny Joseph, Parisien Fils-Aime, Louis Jean Lubin, Herve Caseus etc.

Courtesy of Marc Records

Orchestre Tropicana's repertoire is gigantic; initially Marc Records was the group's main producer (late 60's and 70's), then the 1980's they had several albums with Fred Paul's Mini Records. From 'Yolande' to 'Kenbe Diyite W', the group's succession of hits come from the talents of its main members : Daniel Lariviere, Charlemagne Pierre Noel, Herve Casseus, Jean Claude Jacques and more. "Angelique" "Ti Zo" "La Vi Drol" are but a few of the classic compositions of the early years. The group is also versatile in the sense that they can excellently play several rythms besides konpa. Their boleros are among the most famous in Haitian music, in fact Orchestre Tropicana produced several volumes 'Popourri de Boleros'. Parisien Fils Aime (one of my favorite singer of all time), Giordani Joseph, Paul Edouard perfect interpretation assure that these boleros be magnificently done. Along with Herve Casseus golden fingers on synth, long time maestro Cinna O Charles aka Ti Blanc on sax, an exceptional Lerida Pierre aka Lesca on drums (one of my favorite drummer of all time), the horn section is assured by trumpetists/trumbonists Jean Norcis aka Hycher, Raphael Norcis aka Laventure, Louis Jean Lubin, saxophonists Emmanuel Turenne, Jean Nortil aka Guignard, with guitarist Variete Fleurestyl, and bassist Chenet Mondesir.

The 1980's brought an even more solid Orchestre Tropicana. Early during the decade, the group released the album 'Chez Eux Au Cap Haitien' literally translated in their hometown Cap-Haitien. It is in fact in his hometown that Tropicana's influence can firstly be felt. Whether it is during rural parties every summer 'fetes champetres' in approximating towns like Plaine du Nord, Limonade, Ouanaminthe and more. Part of our cultural tradition, these parties in the countryside take place yearly with a lot of people including from the diaspora. Orchestre Tropicana and Orchestre Septentrional are always to energetically animate these festivities. Special songs reflects the ambience of these events, the goup has a few 'champetre' hits among others: 'Limonade'. The band also performs excellently at indoor parties 'bal', whether it is in Haiti (at Port au Prince and in Provinces), or in the Haitian Diaspora (New York, Miami, Boston, Montreal), better yet at Tropicana Night Club in Cap-Haitien. The entertainment is always guaranteed.

15 aout se fet Notre Dame, se li ki patronne Tropicana

courtesy of Marc Records

Konpa Kina nou an kap mache la ki rele 'Konpa Roussi'

Through its albums in the 1980's, Tropicana perfects its own konpa style. The group in fact developped one of the heaviest konpa rythm: Konpa Roussi. Mini Records released the cd version of "Chez Eux au Cap Haitien" including the selftitled track 'konpa roussi' through which the band greatly defines its Konpa Roussi.

Superstition

Fre Kot Papa

Pou Ki Sa (written by Parisien, one of my favorite piece)

20 ans

Cherche Connin

Tropic nan Tout Ko nou

Lakou Lakay

Ti Jocelyn (written by Daniel Lariviere)

Pa Two Prese (Labadi)

photo courtesy Louis Records

The 1990's saw Tropicana imposing its konpa potential starting with the release of 'Nou Refize Granmoun'. 1993 was a special year: the 30th Anniversary of the orchestra. The traditional August 15th is even more special not only because it is the anniversary date of the band; but also it is the celebration of 'Notre Dame' patronnal festivities of the city of Cap Haitien.

15 Aout se fet Notre Dame, se li ki patronne Tropicana

15 Aout se fet Tropic La, ansanm n' ap selebre

Kanaval time is another period where the band prove its excellence with great meringues and catchy slogans. From 1969 on Tropic released some of the best haitian carnival songs, some of these meringues receive first prizes for animation and orchestrations among them 'carnaval 10 sur 10' in 1973, 'carnaval sonnen cloche la' in early 1980's, 'deuxieme decennie' in 1983 etc. To date, the band always distinguishes itself during carnival time. Orchestre Tropicana is always 'sans rival, ba yo garott' meaning no opponents can touch the band as it hit them with good compostions. During kanaval, the band often performs in the capital city Port-au-Prince when not in Cap Haitien. Kanaval time is all about showing up your musical skills, and it is in this angle that Tropicana claims to have no opponents. In reality, the band's main rival Orchestre Septentrional is as untouchable, the fans decide who is the best among the two.

Future

Orchestre Tropicana always make sure that they are up to date. In this context the band progressively aligns young blood in the team. The future of Tropicana is in good hands with these new guys who are under the directions of the old members. From the early 1990's to the present, we can cite some a few new members among others: guitarist Pierre Pelota ex-Lakol D'Haiti, singers Yvenel Etienne on the album Veye Priye, Samuel Menard, Luc Doralus, keyboardist Herlex Andre

"Nous nous proposons a jouer tous les rythmes..."

Orchestre Tropicana tracks and photos courtesy of Marc Records, Josy Records, Mini Records, Geronimo Records, St Aude Records, Antilles Mizik, Telecono Records

* Questions, Additions, Suggestions fsalomon@stevens.edu