Konpa pioneer singer Julien Paul dies.
By Rene Devis, Heritagekonpa Magazine
NYC. Jan. 3 -- Julien Paul (1927-2005), singer and composer, passed away on December 29, 2005 in Haiti. Paul, founding member of Ensemble Aux Caballes and Emsemble Nemours Jean Baptistes, was the first Konpa Direk lead singer, the most popular music genre in Haiti.
Julien Paul has died under the watchful eyes of his wife due to complications of prostate cancer after returning to Haiti on December 6, according to his son Julien Paul Jr.
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The singer was one of the forgotten pioneers of the Konpa Direck movement back in the 50's and 60's. Julien Paul was best known for his rich, mellow voice, and charms as a musician. He spent nearly a decade playing with maestro Nemours Jean Baptiste before he migrated to United States in 1962, where he later founded his own group Julien Paul and his Combo in 1973. "My father was always lively and the happiest when he was playing music with his friends," said his son Julien.
Tributes from musicians and Haitian music fans poured in after his death was announced on the Radio in Haiti. His death was a huge loss for many in the Haitian music industry.
Back in July 2005, I had the privilege of interviewing Julien Paul for a Heritagekonpa Magazine story on the 50th Anniversary of Konpa Music. I was impressed with his great depth and knowledge of the history of Haitian music and Konpa Direk. At the time of this interview, Julien Paul was just recovering from prostate surgery, but was still full of life. He recalled vividly all the important moments that took place in the history of the music. I would like to share with you some interesting commentary and concerns about the history of Konpa Music that Julien Paul shared with me.
One of Julien's proudest and greatest moments in life was the humble origin of Konpa music in 1955. "On July 25 1955, a group of long-standing friends, and musical accomplices gathered in the backyard of Leon Volcy (the father of Mario Devolcy, ex-drummer of Bossa Combo) near "Place Saint Anne" to sip some Creole cocktail ( serize trempe) and exchange stories. From that point on, a national movement was launched, the creation of Konpa Direk. Their fusion of African, Cuban, and Dominican music brought them fame across Haiti, French Caribbean and Europe.
The first formation of Konpa Direk was known as Coronto International before changing their name to Ensemble Aux Calebasses. At that time "Ensemble Aux Calebasses, comprising the talents of Nemours Jean Baptiste, Weber Sicot, Julien Paul, and Duroseau brothers, were already long-time veterans of local music scene.
"In 1958 Weber Sicot resigned from "Ensemble Aux Calebasses" due to a physical altercation with some members of the group. Nemours became the maestro of Coronto International, and changed the structure of the group which gave rise to popular notion of Konpa Direk. At the same time, Weber Sicot launched Cadence Rampa and established himself as a potential rival to Nemours Jean Baptistes, the reigning king of Haitian youth music. This rivalry triggered a magical period in the development of Haitian music throughout the 60's and 70's right before Nemours lost his sight," said Julien Paul.
In this final interview, Julien also reminded up and coming Haitian artists to "…educate themselves; to know what is Konpa Direk. You cannot say you are playing Konpa if you don't know exactly what Konpa Direk is." He remarked, "I don't like what I see today. The young musicians say anything in a song, and everything is programmed in a keyboard or a machine. Outside of System band and Tabou Combo, there are very few Haitian bands playing Konpa Direk."
In the upcoming weeks, you can read and listen to sound bites from the in-dept interview I conducted with Julien Paul.
Julien Paul was one of the very best examples of a class act Konpa Direk musician. His career may have slowed in the past decades, but his contributions to Haitian music will never die.
Julien Paul's Funeral service is scheduled to take place in Haiti on Saturday, January 7, 2006.
