Biography
Nemours Jean-Baptise originated the konpa genre by reducing the tempo of merengue rhythms and streamlining its melodic lines, thereby bringing Haitian music forward into the contemporary era. Dancers remained active across the late 1950s and 1960s thanks to the direct beat of this style, driven forward by bass drum, snare drum, hi-hat, and cowbells. Nemours, who frequently appeared at events hosted by dictator Francois Duvalier, vied with Les Jazz De Jeune and saxophonist Webert Scott's Super Ensemble Compas Direct to claim the status of "most successful band in Haiti."
Albums
