Haiti Hosts 6th Meeting of Ministers and Senior Officials of Culture

The Minister of Culture, Monique Rosann, announced Tuesday the holding of the Sixth (6th) Inter-American Meeting of Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Culture of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Petionville, the 12 and 13 August 2014 These meetings will be held under the theme: "Interdependence cultural face to Globalization. " During the 6th meeting, the Ministers and High Authorities of Culture of the OAS will hold discussions on tangible collaborations that will advance several valid for the country cultural projects, said Minister of Culture Monique Rosann. According to the minister, the American continent is endowed with cultural resources (tangible and intangible) of unparalleled diversity; but also very different levels of development. It is incumbent, she has advanced, ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Culture of the OAS, to revisit all, as part of a multilateral, dynamic and genuine cooperation, appropriate and harmonious cultural policies of participate in community development, reduction of social inequalities, the development of cultural and creative industries. One of the challenges of the delegates, continued Ms. Rosann is to articulate the one hand, national cultural policies, taking into account the specificities and potential of local authorities and local communities. They will engage the other, synchronize these national policies to the needs of continent, she added. During the workshops, the participants will discuss a set of sub-themes such as: cultural entrepreneurship, innovation and social inclusion tool; local development through culture; City and Culture; strengthening intersectoral relationship between culture and tourism, challenges and opportunities for cultural heritage. After the meeting, the Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Culture of the OAS will adopt a joint statement called "Declaration of Port-au-Prince." This statement, according to Ms. Rosann must reflect the intrinsic value of culture as unique and distinctive inseparable attribute. It must be a driving force in the economic development process through the strengthening identity as a factor of social inclusion and the fight against poverty through income generation, has she added. Participants will also undertake to establish "The program of cultural cooperation for the Citadel" to provide educational opportunities and cultural exchanges for young entrepreneurs working dan the field of production, promotion and distribution of cultural goods and services.

Friction of jazz and roots music Jacques Schwarz-Bart, inspired by voodoo chants

Friction of jazz and roots music Jacques Schwarz-Bart, inspired by voodoo chants and mysticism that surrounds it, says in his latest album deliver a modern work, woven lyricism, spirituality and sacred "Jazz Racine Haiti" released this year under the Motema label (Harmonia Mundi, 2014). After the "Sone Ka-la", "Rise Above" (Dreyfus Jazz, April 2010), "The Art of Dreaming" (Aztec Music, 2012), it's time for "Brother Jacques" (his nickname emotional) to mix in this new release, the voodoo jazz music. From his humble opinion, this music is infinitely rich in both rhythms, in the variety of melodic modes ranges as in the structures of the compositions. Precisely, in the compositions, the supports of instrumental combinations, saxophonist connects us to his hovering, which celebrates the voodoo religion and barrier against any evil aura, against ideological drift in short, against all ugly perception. Also ten tracks are they chiseled into a cast of angles and colors and give in gracefully subtle and abstract complexities like "Giant steps" (John Coltrane). Ten titles for the pleasure of music depart from the heart of the artist to rehabilitate the voodoo culture and to travel around the world. A shared vehicle, live or studio, "by accompanying very high level of jazz and a natural understanding of the roots music" vibrations, supports the artist. Side orchestration, there are reports around Jacques Schwarz-Bart, the remarkable presence instrumentalists carefully selected tavolets, and America from Europe. We revel in this opus a wonderful game the Serbian pianist Milan Milanovic. Prominent in New York, he participated in the first two projects Gwoka jazz Brother Jacques. Bonga Jean-Baptiste, percussion, is Haitian. This master root drums lives in New York. Obed Calvaire, as Haiti is one of our best jazz drummers in New York, vital link between the two worlds. In the vocal range, asserts the voice of Erol Josue. The Haitian voodoo priest is also the director of the National Bureau of Ethnology. His voice surfs beautifully with traditional tunes. We find this singer (invited by saxophonist) voodoo directory on three songs: "kouzen", "I love you Kongo", "Legba nan Barye."

Polo: Haiti raises first Championship Trophy in History

SAN FRANCISCO, USA (sentinel.ht) - In the 1920's and 30's, Haiti was known for holding, and having the best in its territory for polo matches. Providing the ideal tropical climate, a friendly native population welcome travelers from all over the world, who docked in its ports to enjoy the best foods, culture, entertainment and sport. But in these times, since these times, Haiti had never fielded a national team of its own. It was a game described as "the sport of kings", a nation born of slaves who revolted, it seemed implausible to play... but as we know through Haitian history, in the heart of the enslaved can be the heart of a king, that can become king. It is yet still remarkable that the history-making participation of the first Haitian team, in an official international tournament (USPA, et al recognized), would perform so well and in the end, hold up the championship trophy. 

Haiti Team Captain Claude-Alix Bertrand described Sunday’s events as “serendipitous… everything was working in our way.” Jessie Diaz, the Secretary of State for Tourism in Haiti made the opening toss that was quickly engaged by Bertrand and led to a first score for the Haitian team in less than 30 seconds. “You can tell [the Americans] were just struck by then.” The United States offered a very impressive defensive front, but it seemed a confused offensive attack, struck by an early goal, would culminate in an unraveling 6-2 defeat. Haiti became the Champions of the inaugural, POLOSF, Inc. and Audi Sportscar Experience International Polo Tournament in San Francisco that Sunday. The impressive run of the Haitian squad now places it in the rankings of the world’s polo associations, opening the country for participation in tournaments throughout the world and year-round. Despite a final score of 6-2, the U.S. 

defense kept the Haiti team, which scored 8 against a strong Argentina squad, to only 6 but two scoreless opening chukkers, in the first and third, would relegate them to runner’s up in the tournament. There was more good news to come, with dozens of ladies in hats at Sunday’s match, Secretary Diaz’s red head wear won her top showing in the hat competition. The early game on Sunday delivered the third place to Argentina which cruised easily over Panama 8-1. Entertainment and food capped of the tournament in an on the field event that ended at 11PM.

Haiti’s Tabou Combo, Jamaica’s Jah Cure to Headline World Creole Music Festival

Haiti’s Tabou Combo and Jamaica’s Jah Cure are among the headliners for this year’s World Creole Music Festival in Dominica. The festival, which will take place from Oct. 24 to 26, will be hosted at the Windsor Park Stadium in Roseau, Dominica. Other acts include Puerto Rican merengue singer Elvis Crespo, who recently highlighted the St Kitts Music Festival, along with T-Vice and Destra and featuring a host of Zouk masters from Guadeloupe and Martinique. The latter will include Franky Vincent and Harry Soundourayen. This year will be the 18th edition of the festival, which is among the Caribbean’s leading musical events. The festival was officially launched on June 25 by the Discover Dominica Authority under the theme “Creole Runs the Night.”

Phantoms reunites for musician's birthday show

Ten years after Phantoms dropped out of the limelight, fans got a chance to see the inimitable group live on stage of Tonel Restaurant for Lemy Raymond's birthday last week. It was a very high-powered, energetic show especially for 40 something musicians which motto seemed to leave the fans wanting more. A close source to Phantoms said that they had considered playing more and take their venture to other cities. "The more we thought about it, it seemed better to do it more than once," the source said. The birthday bash reunion was quite emotional for them; there were a few tears shed.

T-Vice ex-members formed new group

Ricot Armazan, AKA Ti Tanbou has teamed up with Eddy Viau (Ti Eddy), Vladimir Alexis to form the new band called DAT 7. The big surprise is Olivier Duret, who is still a member of T-Vice that will be playing with the new band as the lead singer and as Vice-president.. As president of DAT 7, Ti Tanbou aims to carry on the intense songwriting he is known for. A source tells the publication, “They just finished a record and their first video and are talking to major labels about a deal". The name for the band at the moment is DAT 7 and was registered in the state of Florida. According to the registered papers, Gerald Firmin of Kaliko Production will act as the band's manager. Even though he has no previous experience in managing a music band, but his knowledgeable experience in the music business can help him see how everything in the big picture fits together, and can help the DAT 7 navigate through the often-confusing maze of activities that seem unrelated in the Haitian Music Industry. Gerald will provide career guidance and helps to set the overall game plan, do the booking for the band and the musicians' to follow.