Cuba - Haiti Music Video

Haitian descendants are Cuba's largest ethnic minority. This is exactly what creates the story of The Creole Choir of Cuba. The Creole Choir of Cuba is percussion and vocal group that is known for performing songs related to social change, faith and history in Caribbean. The group consists of four men and six women. The songs sung by this group are in tribute to the migrations made by their ancestors.

The Creole Choir Of Cuba: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Read more →  

Haitian-African folk singer, Altiery Dorival, is known as a twoubadou (troubadour) musician. He sings in a raspy tenor voice, accompanying himself on Haitian banjo, similar to the American banjo.

Dorival's image is as a man of the people, singing about the lives of Haiti's poor masses, living their lives of grinding poverty with grace and an unsinkable spirit. But he can also play the role of bon vivant, decked out in a white suit and Panama hat.

The twoubadou tradition, in which Altiery Dorival sings and plays, has existed in Haiti for over half a century. Brought to Haiti's shores from Cuba at the start of the 20th century, Haitians soon claimed the music as its own. Twoubadou music expresses the bitter sweetness of peasant life, rife with earthy and risqué themes. Twoubadou singers, such as Dorival, have been and still are the voice of the people.

Read more →  

What do you know about our Twoubadou Music?

Twoubadou music is a very popular form of guitar-based Haitian music which was brought back by Haitian migrant laborers who went to work on Cuban sugar plantations at the turn of the century. The music and its lyrics usually conjured up images of true love and lasting relationships.

Although it is considered as old style, today Twoubadou musicis are making a comeback among groups like Mizik Mizik, T-Vice, K-Dans, Zenglen, Sweet Micky, and others bands that are popular among the younger crowds.

Read more →