Eddy François
Eddy François is a Haitian musician.[1]
Early life
[edit]Eddy François was born in Cap-Haïtien.
Career
[edit]He began his music career as a guitarist and bassist in a choir, influenced by 80s music. In 1988, he joined the Kompa band Superstar Music Machine and that following year he cofounded the Boukman Eksperyans band combining traditional rhythms with rock and pop.[2] Their hits include ‘Kèm Pa Sote’, ‘Pwazon Rat’or and ‘Se Kreyol Nou Ye’.
In 1990, he left the band to front a new band, Boukan Ginen.[3] The band won the RFI ‘prix découverte’ in 1994 for Jou a Rive, and appeared on the cover of the New York Times following a performance in Central Park.
In 1992, François was awarded "Best singer in the Caribbean" by Rolling Stone magazine.[citation needed]
In the early 2000s, Eddy François started a solo career and released Zinga, fusing soul, blues and traditional music with thoughtful lyrics.[citation needed] He released a second album Djohu in 2008.[4]
Discography
[edit]- See Boukman Eksperyans 1985–1989
- See Boukan Ginen 1990–present
Solo albums:
- Zinga (2004)
- Djohu (2008)[5]
- Djohu
- Blakawout
- Koule
- Sou Do'm
- Zang Yo
- Afrikayiti
- Na woule
- Lakay
- Anacaona
- Tchaka Mizik
- Tande Kri A Yo
References
[edit]- ^ "Bélo". RFI Musique. July 2008. Archived from the original on 19 January 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
- Tequila Minsky, "MUSIC HAITI", Caribbean Life, 8 July 2012 - ^ Billboard, 11 July 1992, page 33 "Formed in the mid-'80s by Beaubrun, his wife Mimerose, and Eddy Francois, Boukman Eksperyans was named after ..."
- ^ Michael R. Hall, Historical Dictionary of Haiti ISBN 0810878100 page 45 "The 10-member group is headed by lead singer Eddy Francois, a former member of Boukman Eksperyans. Boukan Ginen's music is a blend of powerful rara rhythms and Voodoo-inspired group chanting. Boukan Ginen was awarded the prize of best song at the annual Kanaval celebration in 1991 for its rendition of “Pale Pale W” [talk]. ... The military dictatorship led by Raoul Cédras between 1991 and 1994 considered the group's music incendiary and prohibited radio stations from..."
- Peter Manuel, Kenneth Bilby, Michael Largey, Caribbean Currents: Caribbean Music from Rumba to Reggae (2012) ISBN 1592134645 "The group Boukan Ginen was formed by Eddy François when he left Boukman Eksperyans in 1990.
- Rhythm Music magazine (1995) volume 4, page 15 "Boukan Ginen came together in 1990 when Eddy Francois (lead vocals and musical director) Vladimir "Jimmy" Jean Felix (guitar), and percussionist Vladimir "Jimmy" Jean Felix (guitar), and percussionist Evens "Zilibo" Seney split off from Boukman Eksperyans. They recruited seven others on guitar, bass, keyboard, vocals, and lots of percussion, ranging from the steady kick-drum pulse of ..".
- Howard J. Blumenthal, The World Music CD Listener's Guide (1998) page 21. "Boukan Ginen In 1990, former Boukman Eksperyans members Eddy Francois (lead vocalist), Vladimy "Jimmy" Jean Felix (guitarist), and Evens Seney (one of several percussionists) formed a new group"
- Revue noire (1995) page 85 "Les puissants rythmes rara des tambours dirigent l'orchestre et portent très haut le chanteur Eddy François. Exubérante, la musique est ici un exutoire à la souffrance quotidienne et une interrogation sur l'avenir d'Haïti : Travay, An N Aie Wè. Pale Pale W (avec lequel Boukan Ginen a gagné le ..." - ^ Panoramag 23, page xxii "Quatre ans après «Zinga», Eddy François lance son deuxième album solo. Intitulé «Djohu» et produit par Solèy Sounds, le nouveau disque est lancé début décembre. Enregistré aux Etats-Unis, l'album est produit par Andy Barrow qui a aussi produit le collectif Alo Haiti, ainsi que des artistes tels que Bélo, Kia et Mika ..."
- ^ "Djohu".