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Strings Troubadour music is one of the basic Haitian folk
styles. "They are like
musicians who work on the streets and play music in the cafes. It's the typical Haitian music, with guitars and congas,
maracas and a bass called marimboula. (an instrumental like a wooden box
with tuned metal tines). The rhythm was fascinating to me, so we just
took this and then mixed it with the flamenco", says Jacky Ambroise. If the Caribbean had a heart, Haiti would be one of
the countries in the basin contending for it. The warmth of its people, the sun, the landscape and the
music all combine to make Haiti a legendary place. "Strings" was born there. At first
glance, this simple word might not mean very much to
those people who are not of this phenomenal trio of guitarists.
"Strings" is much more than a simple word, it is a
milestone in the history of contemporary instrumental music. Phillipe Augustin, and Jacky Ambroise (the
director) Ralph Blanchard decided to join their destinies in Haiti one
day in April 1996. From the
start, their artistic restlessness took them down the very paths they
are now traveling with the skill of those who are born to succeed.
Their point of departure is the folk music from Haiti, however,
the sensitive and melodious style of this trio of acoustic guitars
crosses boundaries of the other musical rhythms inspired by flamenco and
Latin America, with versatility and professionalism. As indicated by their name, "Strings" evoke pure feelings, in
the style of Haitian troubadours, rocked in the warm cradle of their
tropical climate and the Caribbean atmosphere, and influenced by their
French heritage and shaded of jazz, ensuring that their musical
interpretations are well received by all types of audiences. The members of "Strings" are no strangers to the
more demanding classics from all eras and in all styles, ranging from
Beethoven to the Beatles. Their
mastery of technique, harmony composition, arrangements and
interpretation of musical scores has made them, starting with their
first appearance in 1996, one of the favorite performers in the most
renowned concert hall in the world.
Wherever good music is the main dish, there is a place reserved
at the table for "Strings". For this reason, it is no wonder that at university
galas, embassies, consulates, cultural institutes, artists' café,
Olympic committees, and other international places of importance, the
formidable trio composed of, Phillipe Augustin Jacky Ambroise and Ralph
Blanchard is welcome. The examples of the growing reputation of this
group is esteemed invitation they received to perform at the Haitian
embassy in a country as far away as Japan.
This invitation can be added to the one of the group received to
participate as invited artists at the President's summit, which took
place in Chile. A recent
example of the group growing reputation includes a performance at the St
Lucia Jazz Festival. In fact, the releases from "Strings" on the Crossover label of
their compact discs "Tropical Mood" and "Flamenco
Tropical" which includes their own compositions and songs from
other composers, are destined to become international successes.
"Tropical Mood" is a delicious walk on the score sheet,
where in "Flamenco Tropical" even the pauses are richly
melodious and the notes are performed with such mastery that it is
difficult to choose a song without dismissing the others we enjoyed.
All of this is due in part to the popular feeling that although
contemporary music already existed before "Strings" was founded, from now on
it would be hard to conceive of a musical world which does not include
these magnificent performers. Fortunately,
everything leads us to believe that "Strings" is here to stay. The
Guitar Speaks "We let the guitar speak first" Ambroise
says. "We often make
the vocal follow the melody of the guitar, so in a sense the vocal
supports the guitar. With
no lyrics, because in Haiti we speak Creole and French, this is like an
international music and everybody can understand it. That was a trade that we've made in ourselves, and
I think that we're gonna definitely keep it that way". "My father was a musician," Ambroise
recalls, "and all my uncles play music, or they are writers or
painters, they are all in the arts.
When I was a kid, they used to have parties at my house, and I
used to sit and look at them play, there would be three, four guitars
and singing. And now, I'm playing for them, and they are so proud, because
they remember me as a small kid being there, and now I am playing my music for them". Evens
S. Monestime (New-Jersey) Haitiimpact.com
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