Culture of Haiti - Music

Music

Haitian Compas (sometimes written as Compas Direct, konpa direk, konpa, or kompa) is a musical genre, as well as a dance that originates from Haïti. It was named «Compas Direct» by Nemours Jean-Baptiste, on a recording released in 1955. The name derives from compas, the Spanish word meaning rhythm or tones. It involves mostly medium-to-fast tempo beats with an emphasis on electric guitars, synthesizers, and either a solo alto saxophone, a horn section or the synthesizer equivalent. Unlike zouk (which derives from compas of the French Antilles), the lyrics are mostly in Haitian Creole.

Read more about this topic:  Culture Of Haiti

Famous quotes containing the word music:

    O I shall hear skull skull,
    Hear your lame music,
    Believe music rejects undertaking,
    Limps back.
    Owen Dodson (b. 1914)

    Now the rich stream of Music winds along
    Deep, majestic, smooth, and strong,
    Thomas Gray (1716–1771)

    The music of an unhappy people, of the children of disappointment; they tell of death and suffering and unvoiced longing toward a truer world, of misty wanderings and hidden ways.
    —W.E.B. (William Edward Burghardt)