Nemours Jean-Baptiste

Nemours Jean-Baptiste (February 2, 1918 – May 18, 1985) was a Haitian saxophonist, writer, and band leader.[1] He is credited with being the inventor of compas also known as compas direct, a style of Haitian music.[2]

Rivalry with Webert Sicot

During Jean-Baptiste's early career, he played in a band with fellow Haitian artist Webert Sicot called Conjunto International. Years after the band dissolved, Webert Sicot introduced a new dance rhythm that bore many similarities to Jean-Baptiste's compas. During the period of argument and controversy that followed, the two took lyrical jabs at each other in their songs. The competition between the two culminated in a soccer match between the two artists and their respective bands, which ended in a 1-1 tie.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Nemours Jean-Baptiste founder of Haitian compas." http://heritagekonpa.com/archives/nemourJnBaptiste.htm. Accessed 9 February 2012
  2. ↑ "Nemours Jean-Baptiste." http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=19714. Accessed 9 February 2012.
  3. ↑ "Nemours, Jean-Baptiste and Sicot, Wéber." http://www2.oxfordaasc.com/article/opr/t0002/e2880. Accessed 9 February 2012.