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Shleu Shleu Saxophonist Tony Moise, a Death too Soon

October 24, 2014 8:43 AM

Tony Moise, a Haitian musical giant, succumbed to his death due to heart problems on August 30, 2013. In the mid-sixties, Haiti was ready for a new direction in music as the youth coming up were searching for a fresh way to express themselves. They were grounded in the music beats of the day: compas direct, cadence rampa, ballad, traditional, ambatonel, raboday, and Ibo, among many. The results of their experimentation created Manfoubins, which Moise was an early member of.

He began as a guitarist but eventually turned to the saxophone, which he mastered quickly, perfecting the laid-back and sensual style he became noted for. It took five years for the members of Manfoubins to win over the hearts of music lovers with the new genre, mini-jazz. In a later incarnation the band played under the name of Shleu-Shleu, today known as Ska-Shah.

Music Video:
Shleu Shleu Ke Map Kimbe Tony, Edouard, Bebe, Peddy, Leon, Renan

While band members in Manfoubins came and went, Moise remained an admired and respected musician, who had become the face of the new music, mini-jazz. Mini-jazz groups were so-called because they were composed of far fewer musicians than old-school groups, a minimum of 15 members.

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