Music
The Personality of Tabou Combo's Yvon 'Kapi' Andre
- Wednesday, September 07, 2011 7:04 PM
Petion-Ville native, Yvon ‘Kapi’ Andre -co-owner and one of the musicians of the legendary band, Tabou Combo. Today, not only is Kapi a multidimensional artist, he is also a percussionist, a singer, a song writer pianist and a father of three children.
Kapi was the youngest in a family of seven children. He recalls that love and respect for your parents were paramount in his young life. For him there was a sense of security, deep love, and compassion among his brothers and sisters.
Yvon Andre attended the Les Freres de L'Instruction Chretienne from five to eleven years old and attended Lycee de Petion-Ville for high school. He gained his instruction in music by studying with some of the greatest jazz pianists at the Manhattan School of Music, the Muse in Brooklyn, and The Jazz Mobile in Harlem. Mr. Andre recalls the Henry Street Settlement for music composition and arrangement extensive private piano lessons with P. Jacobs who used to teach music at Brooklyn College.
When asked about Kapi’s big break into music he told us he was about fifteen, when Albert Chancy a childhood friend saw him substitute for the Diplomates de Petion-Ville’s percussionist. Since he was playing with the Diplomates and they were much older than himself, Chancy thought he was an accomplished musician. The next Monday in class, Chancy asked him to join Los Incognitos which was Tabou's name at the very beginning. Albert Chancy is the original founder of Tabou Combo.
There is a drive within the artist, Yvon Andre. It is heard in his voice and we asked him, where did all that come from? Kapi responded, “I am a Jazz fan who studied with famous Jazz artists, therefore it is normal that my compositions are geared toward nice chord progressions and beautiful melodies. As far as voice is concerned, my inspiration comes from many great singers such as; Johnny Hartman, Tony Bennett, Andre Romain, Herby Widmaier, Guy Durosier, Nat King Cole, Mel Torme etc...”
Music is at the forefront of Haitian life these days. For most, a chance at living the good life comes through music or through politics and Kapi wanted to leave the younger generation with some words of advice for longevity in the arts:
“Study their craft. A lot of these youngsters are more concerned of being"Stars'' than Musicians. If one opts to become a musician one should study and have a professional attitude toward the "Metier de Musicien".
Also it is imperative that they become a member of organizations such SACEM or ASCAP. However, since Haitian music is being played mostly in the French Antilles and in France, it is strongly recommended that any one who writes music either as an author or a composer becomes affiliated with SACEM.
Making money in this business is not only from "playing bal" but as an author/composer you get paid for your work by SACEM providing that your music is being played on the radio in these territories. You're getting paid also for live gigs, once you submit the list of your compositions being performed to the SACEM representative.
We wanted to get to know the personality of this musician, part of the legendary band Tabou Combo, Yvon 'Kapi' Andre. In an effort to do so we put him to a Proust Questionnaire.
What is your favorite virtue?
Outspoken, straight forward, although lately I've become a little more diplomatic.
Your favorite qualities in a man.
Being your own man
Your favorite qualities in a woman.
Honesty, fidelity
Your chief characteristic.
Focus, I put 100 percent in anything I do.
What you appreciate the most in your friends.
Not being hypocrites
Your main fault.
Impatience, anxiety.
Your favorite daily occupation.
Playing piano, writing new materials or arranging old 1950's and 60's classics for my "Afro Caribbean Project" concept which is to revive these tunes in order to keep alive the rich repertoire inherited by the pioneers.
Your idea of happiness.
Being in my pool or my backyard having a drink and a good cigar with friends.
Your idea of ultimate misery.
Homeless people especially children and January 12, 2010.
If not yourself, who would you be?
Never thought of that...
Where would you like to live?
Kenscoff, is one my favorite places but I love being in Florida for the time being.
Your favorite color, flower (plant) and animal?
Blue, Bougainvillea, ____
Your favorite author and your favorite book.
"Remembrance" by Jerry Gilles and Yvrose Gilles
Your favorite poet and your favorite poem.
Prosper Sylvain Jr "You don't look Haitian" I wrote a beautiful piece of music for this poem. I also like "Ode to Jean Nicolas" by Karen Bogat
Your favorite fictional hero and heroine.
Columbo
Your favorite actor and actress.
Al Pacino, Peter O'Toole, Richard Dreifuss
Your favorite leader in exercise.
I think the work done by Fabrice Rouzier on the Haitian Twoubadou project was the work of a genius.
Your favorite artist, favorite musical artist.
Michel Legrand, Guy Durosier, Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, John Coltrane
Your hero and heroine in real life.
My parents were my real life heroes.
What characters in history do you most dislike?
Haiti being invaded and occupied by foreign troops is disgusting and a severe blow to our pride of being Haitians.
Your favorite food and drink.
Grilled goat, rhum and Coke
Your favorite names for people.
Christina ( My daughter's name)
What you hate most in/about life.
People misjudging people and pedophiles.
The military event or social act or political event that you most admire.
January 1st 1804.
The reform in the world that you most admire.
The end of apartheid . "L'abolition de l'esclavage"
The reform you wish would be made for Haiti.
Opportunity for every Haitian to go to school, to have decent living conditions and a more acute sense of patriotism.
The natural talent you wish you had.
Speak more languages.
How do you wish to die?
Never thought of that...
What is your present state of mind for your personal life?
Busy working on volume 3 of "Afro Caribbean Project" which is my own way to pay tribute to the pioneers who have paid the way for a new generation of musicians including myself; heroes such as: Nono Lamy, Guy Durosier, Dodof Legros, Ti Paris, Issah El Saieh, Raoul Guillaume, Antalcidas Murat, Alfred Moise, Webert Sicot, Ti Roro etc... who were playing music when musicians were considered as "Nothing" or Vagabonds but yet they chose to go on with their music and took pride playing it.
What is your present state of mind for Haiti, on political, economical or cultural issues?
Haiti needs to regain its pride, lately we have been ridiculed by the international press, and everybody else. We let these people come to our country go to the filthiest places and show it on Television. And that's the image projected to someone who has no idea where Haiti is. We need a vast promotion campaign to rebuilt our image. We need to teach young Haitians about our Culture and wearing your pants down to your knees are certainly Not part of Haitian Culture.
For what fault have you most toleration, for what fault have you least toleration?
I tolerate Haitians who can't read and write because it's not their fault. They grew up in a society where these opportunities were not given to them. But I strongly dislike those who make fun of these people and block their way to educate themselves. Those who treat their fellow Haitian as slaves.
Are you connected and how?
By the magic of the Internet.
Your favorite newspaper, periodical, radio, website or television.
Defend.ht, Jeune Afrique, TMC ( The Movie Channel )
Your news addiction, in regards to Haiti? What kind of stories do you have a need to follow?
I follow what's going on in Haiti on a daily basis. Anything concerning Haiti concerns me.
Your favorite language.
Creole, English.
Do you believe in God?
Sure do.
Your motto in life.
Don't wait until tomorrow to do what needs to be done today.
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