Overview:
Paul Beaubrun delivered a strong efficiency at globalFEST, mixing conventional Haitian rhythms with fashionable aptitude to have a good time Haiti’s resilience.
By Invoice Farrington
The vitality within the room was electrical, pushed by Paul Beaubrun’s magnetic guitar enjoying. His lengthy locks appeared to graze the viewers as they crowded the stage, captivated by the pulsating rhythm. The music’s energy emanated from Beaubrun and his band: his uncle Daniel “Dadi” Beaubrun on bass, longtime collaborator Morgan Zwerlein on percussion, and Johnbern Thomad on drums. Collectively, they immediately linked with the group, lots of whom have been unfamiliar with Haitian music. But, the rhythms struck a deep chord, as if awakening one thing they didn’t know they wanted. By the top of the set, enthusiastic call-and-response vocals in Kreyol echoed by way of the area, a testomony to the music’s common enchantment.
The efficiency was a part of globalFEST, an annual showcase at Lincoln Heart’s David Geffen Corridor that highlights artists from around the globe, providing them a platform to attach with curators, producers, and performing arts professionals. Through the years, globalFEST has featured notable Haitian acts like Emeline Michel, BélO, RAM, and Moonlight Benjamin. This 12 months, Paul Beaubrun carried that torch with a efficiency mixing custom, resilience, and a imaginative and prescient for Haiti’s future.
“We’re going to give it our all,” Paul instructed The Haitian Instances throughout a rehearsal break earlier than the present. “I received’t take any minute of it without any consideration. It’s a giant stage. I’m one in every of 10 artists. However on the identical time, I do know my roots too. I do know the place I come from. I do know what I characterize.”
Coincidentally, the night time marked the fifteenth anniversary of the devastating 2010 earthquake in Port-au-Prince. Paul devoted his set to the victims.
“Should you have a look at the date I’m performing, you’ll be able to think about it turns into much more private for me,” Paul mentioned.
“The emotion goes to be there. I’m going to sing in reminiscence of all these folks. I’m going to sing in reminiscence of my tradition—the resilience, the wonder. I’m there to point out a optimistic facet of Haiti, not what the media portrays. We’re folks with dignity, with love, with a excessive spirit. That’s one thing I’m going to have a good time.”
As a part of his set, Paul carried out “Voye Jete,” a tune from his new album impressed by Boukman’s name for liberation in the course of the Haitian Revolution. “The explanation why I selected that tune is the deep message,” Paul defined.
“Boukman was speaking about understanding ourselves, embracing our tradition and our god, not the picture of the god that enslaved us. It’s about love, liberation, and throwing away the chains.”
Paul’s uncle, Daniel “Dadi” Beaubrun, stepped in for Chico Boyer, the bassist recovering from a critical sickness. The absence of Boyer weighed on Paul, however Dadi introduced the identical soulful depth to the efficiency. A profit live performance, “Selebrasyon Ginen: A Tribute to Musical Icon Maestro Chico Boyer,” will happen on January 25 at Anba Tonel in Brooklyn to help his restoration.
Beneath are photographs of Paul and his band on Jan. 12, 2024.
