IBO Combo Finds Success as Caribbean Sextet

May 11, 2013 7:08 AM

Caribbean Sextet (CS), once known as IBO Combo (IC), came up during the mini-jazz music scene in Haiti in the mid- to late-sixties. They experienced early success with the Haitian Diaspora in the U.S. IC, wanting to connect with their growing fan base, moved to New York to compete for their share of recognition and record sales from the Diaspora. After a few years' fruitless efforts to crack the play-list formats that catered to newer Compás groups, and disappointing sales, they returned to Haiti. Back home they pursued solo efforts, or collaborated with other musicians. But by 1997 they re-formed, calling themselves Caribbean Sextet.

A variety of musicians have comprised CS's lineup. For instance, Arias Joseph replaced Claudy Jean on the congas after Claudy's death. Founding drummer of IC/CS, Jean-Jean Laraque died of unknown causes, and Joel Widmaier took his place. When CS decided the band needed more vocal dimension, they added Lionel Benjamin's vocals to Boulou Valcourt's. Tinkering with the group's lineup finally brought them the success they'd hungered for since their founding days as IC. The mulatto elite named CS one of the top Haitian bands of the eighties.

A partial run-down of the last lineup includes: pianist Réginald Policard, compared to Antonio Carlos Jobim; saxophonist Gaguy Depestre, who runs music classes for underprivileged musicians; lead guitarist Philippe Laraque, who has replaced deceased brother Jean-Jean; trumpet player Jacques Fatier, now dead of injuries from an anto accident; and bassist Alix Covington, one of the founding members of IC/CS.

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