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| Skah
Shah live in New York | Skah
Shah #1 has been the central Konpa Direck group of Haiti in the 70's and 80's.
Their musical œuvre has been most vital to that generation's worldview that
grew up listening to Nemours Jean Baptiste, the founder of Konpa (or Compas) Direck,
Les Shleu Shleu, Les Amssadeurs, Jazz Des Jeunes, Tabou Comb, Septentrional, and
Tropicana etc. From
the perspective highlighted above, ShaK Shahsh emerges as one of the greatest
Haitian musical band of our time. Shah Shah #1 is idolized by millions of Haitians.
The band's contributions to knowledge base of konpa music and history are undeniable.
Too often we tend to gentrify and rip Haiti's musical history apart for what's
new and fashionable when both can have their places in our society. Skah Shah's
legacy extends beyond the realms of nostalgia to their followers.
If you grew up in Haiti in the late 80's during the emergence of the new generation
of Haitian music (listening to new wave bands like Zekle, Skandal, Zin, Zenglen),
you certainly have questioned why people make such a big deal about Skah Shah.
However, younger Haitian music fans may never realize that Skah Shah means more
than just a band to their loyal fans, Shak Shah is more like an established religion
with its own gospel--- the purest form of konpa music.
The
original Skah Shah lineup --- bassist Coko, Jean Elie telfor singer, Zouzoul,
Loubert Chancy sax player and guitarist Ti Fre, arserne apollon--- are poised
to start with the reunion tour that would take the band to Canada, Haiti, and
throughout major cities across the United States .
The group Skah Shah #1 began their reunion tour with a series of riveting performance
both in New York and Miami. More than 2,500 Haitian music fans attended the band's
first live performance in New York at Club Crystal Hall. According to Clifford
Sylvain, Skah Skahs's congas player, more than 2,800 tickets were sold for the
band performance on December 6, 2003 at Marriot Hotel in downtown, Miami.
In
the past we at heritagekonpa have attended special musical events in New York,
including Zin Vs Phantoms at Roseland's ballroom, Haiti Troubadour at Amazura
Night club and Tabou Combo's 35th anniversary party, but never before have we
seen such an event of this magnitude in New York.
 
Loyal Skah Shah's fans began to arrive at Club Crystal Hall in New York three
hours prior to the 11P.M starting time. At about 8:30 PM there was a line stretching
from Jamaica Avenue to Francis Lewis Boulevard. When the fans realized that they
would not be allowed to enter the club early, tension started to build. Nonetheless,
the well-dressed and mature crowd waited patiently until the security officers
allowed them to enter at exactly 10:30 p.m. Once inside, the crowd anxiously awaited
the presentation of Skah Shah's cast which was not done until 11:40. Subsequently
it was all love as Skah Shah performed their first song "Sentiment".
Despite
some technical glitches and brief interruptions, there was no evidence at any
time of reckless abandon for a band that has not performed together since 1993.
A member of heritagekonpa alluded to the well known phrase and rightly so, that
"good music is like fine wine; the older it is the better it gets".
Skah Shah's performance in New York and Miami certainly proved that and much more.
If you were a part of the elite crowd who attended both events, you felt a sense
of pride for being part of Haitian musical history. Skah Shah's long time fans,
including Edison Paul, Geronimo Raphale, Roselyn Jean, and Guy Evens Paul Moise
Moses among others, felt this was perhaps one of the greatest nights in Haitian
music History. At
Mario Hotel in Miami it was no different, even with their advance tickets music
fans waited on line for several hours to get a glance at the legendary Haitian
group Skah Shah #1. Who's Who in the Haitian music industry and/or community including
producers, promoters, musicians, and radio personnel were on hand to see the band.
Skah
Shah was presented with the key to the city of Miami by local government officials
and the commissioner. Each band member was also presented with a special plate
by Center For Toussaint Lourverture Award leadership. The plate read "Thank
you for inspiring our nation in being a model of leadership for all to follow
and congratulations for making history. Thank you Skah Shah for being #1 for all
those years "
Three weeks ago Skah Shah gave a great performance at Sobs Night Club in Manhattan.
Even though the turn out was low, but may people in the audience who saw Skah
Shah for the first time were very impressed with the band. Notably was the presence
of Dr. Gage Averill, the chairman of the music department at New York University,
he brought several students(see pictures below)with him to get a perspective on
Haitian music. According to some of the student we spoke to, this was a great
experience for them to get acquainted with a band new culture. Dr. Gage Averill
is a former Haitian music columnist for Beat Magazine, he wrote a book entitles
"A Day for the Hunter a Day for the Prey: Popular Music and Power in Haiti)"
in which he provides descriptive background information and in-depth knowledge
about the interaction of Haitian music with power. ( See article on "The
Haitian Music Industry")
 
Saturday,
December 20, 2003, the group Skah Shah played before an audience of 2000 fans
in Boston. Many more music fans were waiting outside to get a glance at the legendary
konpa band, Skah Shah.
In
all of their concerts, Skah Shah allowed their adoring fans to select and feast
on the band's in-depth musical library. Throughout the first four performances
on the tour, the band displayed an uncanny sense of unity, professionalism, and
dedication.
All
in all, Skah Shah #1 proved they are not a novelty act. The performances were
well-delivered and much appreciated by Haitian music fans.
Before
writing off the Skah Shah as yesterday's news, be sure to see the band in action
towards the end of the year and 2004
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