Les Ambassadeurs Classic Kompa and Mini-Jazz Band of the Caribbean

Updated December 31, 2012 6:30 PM

Les Ambassadeurs (LA) have been among a group of pioneer bands that began the Mini- Jazz music style in Haiti. Mini-Jazz evolved between 1964-1969, basing itself on the simple stylings of rock and roll bands from 1960-1964, before Britain's Beatles revolutionized the genré.

The new-style Kompa bands comprised an electric-lead and -rhythm guitars, electric bass, and polyrhythmic percussion instruments, defining Mini-Jazz. Frequently, the inclusion of a saxophone held down the melodic line. The Mini-Jazz movement took root in Port-au-Prince and its surrounding neighborhoods, led by innovative musician Shleu Shleu. The most noteworthy neighborhood bands, which grew to prominence along with LA, included Les Loups Noirs, Les Fantaisistes de Carrefour, Tabou Combo, Fréres Dé Jean, Les Difficiles, and Bossa Combo. They led the Mini-Jazz movement and other Caribbean countries soon followed suit.

Between 1970-1975, Antillean Kompa bands took the Mini-Jazz movement one step further, with the addition of a horn section. Bands les Aiglons, Grammacks, and Exile One stayed ahead of the curve, adding synthesizers. Competition among the bands grew fierce and led to some name changes. Les Difficiles re-named themselves D.P. Express, and Les Gypsies, Scorpio Universel.

But in spite of the competition and posturing, LA remains the Kompa band most popular in the Caribbean. Two of their best-selling albums, Les Meileurs Boleros D'Haiti and Sous Le Ciel D'Haiti still sell well, especially online, where LA downloads are in high demand, cementing their reputation as a classic Kompa and Mini-Jazz band.

Les Embassadeurs Music Video

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