Popular on TelAve
- People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos Announces New Board Leadership & Corporate Partnership Initiative - 165
- Electives Appoints DraftKings' CPO Linda Aiello to Board Amid Record Quarter - 160
- Mensa identifies best board games of 2025 - 134
- Village Vapes and Cooking 4 Autism Announce Inaugural Partnership at MEGA 420 EVENT
- Is Billboard Advertising Still Effective in 2025?
- Portland Hosts Mensa's 2025 Mind Games®
- Total Communication Solutions Joins Zoom's Partner Delivery Program for Contact Center
- T&S and US Conec Ink Global Licensing Deal on MDC Technology to Advance High-Density Optical Interconnects
- Local Leap Marketing Wins Creative Excellence Award for Healthcare Web Design
- "May the Fourth Be With You" Epic Star Wars Day Run/Walk in Alexandria, Va
Similar on TelAve
- Adster Techologies awarded US Patent for breakthrough innovation in reducing latency in Ad Serving
- The Tide Project Opens at Biennale Architettura 2025 in Venice Amplifying Youth Voices
- $4.3 Million Patent Application Waiver Fee Granted by FDA on New Drug Application Fee for Treatment Addressing Suicidal Depression & PTSD: NRX Pharma
- "Stop scrolling and start watching" - Beloved film recommendation site Criticker gets a major makeover
- Tampa-Based Digital Marketing Agency Launches New Website to Help Local Businesses Grow Online
- Is Billboard Advertising Still Effective in 2025?
- $4.3 Million Waiver Exemption Granted by FDA on New Drug Application Fee for Treatment Addressing Suicidal Depression, PTSD: NRx: Stock Symbol: NRXP
- Seecoin Expands Beyond Gaming: A Web3 (r)evolution for All Content Creators
- Boston Industrial Solutions, Inc. Unveils Natron® 504N UV LED Inks Designed for EPSON Printheads
- Mensa identifies best board games of 2025
Obed Calvaire's Album is Empowered Equally by Haiti's People, Past and Present
TelAve News/10832025
Renowned jazz drummer pairs Haitian history with revolutionary music
NEW YORK & PHILADELPHIA - TelAve -- 150 Million Gold Francs.
It's 1804. Haitians are the first African Republic population to obtain independence. After a revolution lasting more than 12 years, Haiti declared independence from colonial rule and enslavement for all its people.
If only emancipation was that simple.
Being the first country founded by former slaves, Haiti won its independence from France. 20 years later, King Charles X sent warships to Haiti. Their mission: return with a whole lot of money or start a new war. The demand: Haitians were to pay those who once enslaved them 150 million francs (which happened to be made of gold). The people of Haiti won their independence via trauma, battle and death. They secured their freedom with cash money.
Charles X claimed to be the freer of enslaved Haitians. What was called the Haitian Revolution affected life around the world: while the transatlantic slave trade ended, one could argue that France's sale of its land in North America to the US (taught as the Louisiana Purchase) enabled slavery's expansion into the southern territory.
And Haiti? Were its citizens enjoying an abundant, financially stable life post-enslavement? Far from it: the 150 million francs led to an immeasurable debt, which led to poverty, mismanagement of resources, and destruction of property. Haiti remains the first, and only, country where generations of enslaved people's descendants paid the families of their former masters.
150 Million Gold Francs.
Today. Besides being the impetus for ongoing strife in Haiti, it is the name given by prominent, Haitian-American jazz drummer Obed Calvaire to his first album. Its seven songs recognize, celebrate, and honor the Haitian people. Released on April 12, 2024 by RopeADope, the record presents the rhythms, tones, and vernacular of Haiti while simultaneously sharing the country's turmoil, and broadcasting music that galvanizes.
More on TelAve News
150 Million Gold Francs begins with a childhood song. As it was then, on the album it is sung by his mother, Gerda Calvaire. "Sa Pa Fem Anyen" (Haitian creole for "It doesn't bother me") is a church hymn whose comforting, empowering message is delivered stronger by Mrs. Calvaire. Because when "a child hears their mother's voice," they feel comforted and safe. For an album as personal as this one is to its creator, its first song sets the tone for every sound the follows.
When listening to "Sa Pa Fem Anyen," look at the album's cover, powerfully photographed by Jasmin Ortiz. You'll witness Obed standing shirtless, eyes closed, wrists encapsulated b manacles. That the shackles are drawn doesn't diminish the impact of seeing a Black man in bondage. The photo is part of Obed's intention to empower and instruct his community and their allies to "get their s--- together."
Among those whose s--- is together are the musicians playing with Obed on this album. This coterie of Haitian and Haitian-American musicians includes Godwin Louis (alto saxophone), Harold St. Louis (keyboards), Sullivan Fortner (piano), Dener Ceide (guitar), Addi Lafosse (electric bass), and on "Sa Nou Fa Nap Peye," the group is joined by Jonathan Michel (bass). These players – some of whom have been performing together since youth – paint musically what would be impossible for those who only know about Haiti. These men know Haiti, and that inherent awareness fuses and fuels the rhythms, tones, analog and electronic sounds. You'll hear this in every song, and in most heartfelt ways in "Just Friends," where Obed "is playing with [his] close friends who have Haiti in common with [him]."
More on TelAve News
"Haiti's Journey," where the bright, twangy opening segues into a dark and distorted tone and a jolting, unsettled tempo. Obed wrote this with the intention to conjure the time when François "Papa Doc" Duvalier was Haiti's president. This ruthless dictator, among other things, decided affranchis (mulattos), descendants of slave masters, should be killed. Duvalier wanted to "take his country back." In his sick mind, eliminating light-skinned people would provide him with complete control over Haiti.
The bitter truth: most of these murdered people were wealthy, thanks to money inherited from their white ancestors, and they owned broadcast media networks and schools. Following their assassinations, the structures they owned – which employed, informed, and educated most of the nation's residents, disintegrated. With those who made what was possible gone, it did not take long for media, education, and property ownership to go sideways.
Haiti's current political-economic struggle is imbued in "Sa Nou Fe Nap Peye," whose translation is "we're paying for what we've done." In 1825, Haitians paid financially. Since then, they have been paying experientially, psychologically, and emotionally. Addi's and Jonathan's string sounds have been manipulated so they sound not alien, not different, and still unexpected. Obed declared, "This particular number represents how the people who comprised the first African-American republic to win its independence, and its progeny, will always be an example. As Haitians, we as a people are not healed from this."
Flashing forward to the album's final song (preceded by "150 Million Gold Francs" and "Gaya Ko W"), whose English translation is "There isn't a mountain that love can't break," Obed wraps the record with a call to action. "Nan Pwen Miray Lanmou Pap Kraze" beckons and encourages the listener. No accident here: Obed told me, "Since the beginning of time, wars have been fought over religion and land. What brings us together is love. When we love people, there's nothing we can't do."
Fact.
150 Million Gold Francs, the album, can be purchased on Bandcamp. Keep up with Obed on his website, which is the exclusive location of his discography, videos, and performance schedule.
It's 1804. Haitians are the first African Republic population to obtain independence. After a revolution lasting more than 12 years, Haiti declared independence from colonial rule and enslavement for all its people.
If only emancipation was that simple.
Being the first country founded by former slaves, Haiti won its independence from France. 20 years later, King Charles X sent warships to Haiti. Their mission: return with a whole lot of money or start a new war. The demand: Haitians were to pay those who once enslaved them 150 million francs (which happened to be made of gold). The people of Haiti won their independence via trauma, battle and death. They secured their freedom with cash money.
Charles X claimed to be the freer of enslaved Haitians. What was called the Haitian Revolution affected life around the world: while the transatlantic slave trade ended, one could argue that France's sale of its land in North America to the US (taught as the Louisiana Purchase) enabled slavery's expansion into the southern territory.
And Haiti? Were its citizens enjoying an abundant, financially stable life post-enslavement? Far from it: the 150 million francs led to an immeasurable debt, which led to poverty, mismanagement of resources, and destruction of property. Haiti remains the first, and only, country where generations of enslaved people's descendants paid the families of their former masters.
150 Million Gold Francs.
Today. Besides being the impetus for ongoing strife in Haiti, it is the name given by prominent, Haitian-American jazz drummer Obed Calvaire to his first album. Its seven songs recognize, celebrate, and honor the Haitian people. Released on April 12, 2024 by RopeADope, the record presents the rhythms, tones, and vernacular of Haiti while simultaneously sharing the country's turmoil, and broadcasting music that galvanizes.
More on TelAve News
- Pathways to Adulthood Conference May 17 at Melville Marriott Honoring NYS Assembly Member Jodi Giglio, Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa
- Adster Techologies awarded US Patent for breakthrough innovation in reducing latency in Ad Serving
- Robert Fabbio Inducted into the Austin Technology Council Hall of Fame
- Cybersecurity is Protecting Your Personal Information and Your Portfolio
- L2 Aviation Celebrates Grand Opening of New Facility at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
150 Million Gold Francs begins with a childhood song. As it was then, on the album it is sung by his mother, Gerda Calvaire. "Sa Pa Fem Anyen" (Haitian creole for "It doesn't bother me") is a church hymn whose comforting, empowering message is delivered stronger by Mrs. Calvaire. Because when "a child hears their mother's voice," they feel comforted and safe. For an album as personal as this one is to its creator, its first song sets the tone for every sound the follows.
When listening to "Sa Pa Fem Anyen," look at the album's cover, powerfully photographed by Jasmin Ortiz. You'll witness Obed standing shirtless, eyes closed, wrists encapsulated b manacles. That the shackles are drawn doesn't diminish the impact of seeing a Black man in bondage. The photo is part of Obed's intention to empower and instruct his community and their allies to "get their s--- together."
Among those whose s--- is together are the musicians playing with Obed on this album. This coterie of Haitian and Haitian-American musicians includes Godwin Louis (alto saxophone), Harold St. Louis (keyboards), Sullivan Fortner (piano), Dener Ceide (guitar), Addi Lafosse (electric bass), and on "Sa Nou Fa Nap Peye," the group is joined by Jonathan Michel (bass). These players – some of whom have been performing together since youth – paint musically what would be impossible for those who only know about Haiti. These men know Haiti, and that inherent awareness fuses and fuels the rhythms, tones, analog and electronic sounds. You'll hear this in every song, and in most heartfelt ways in "Just Friends," where Obed "is playing with [his] close friends who have Haiti in common with [him]."
More on TelAve News
- Managing Summer Staffing Surges with Confidence: Why Name Badges Are a Must for Seasonal Success
- Visa Named Title Sponsor of Ascending Athletes' Business Owners Summits for NFL Entrepreneurs
- The Paris Court of International Arbitration Elects Dr. John J. Maalouf as its New President
- Whistleblower Seeks SEC and Shareholder Review of Cogent Communications' 2003 Acquisition of FNSI
- $56.7 Million Announced in Q1 2025 with Revenue Growth and Progress Toward NASDAQ Uplisting for AI Marketing Company: IQSTEL, Inc. Stock Symbol: IQSTD
"Haiti's Journey," where the bright, twangy opening segues into a dark and distorted tone and a jolting, unsettled tempo. Obed wrote this with the intention to conjure the time when François "Papa Doc" Duvalier was Haiti's president. This ruthless dictator, among other things, decided affranchis (mulattos), descendants of slave masters, should be killed. Duvalier wanted to "take his country back." In his sick mind, eliminating light-skinned people would provide him with complete control over Haiti.
The bitter truth: most of these murdered people were wealthy, thanks to money inherited from their white ancestors, and they owned broadcast media networks and schools. Following their assassinations, the structures they owned – which employed, informed, and educated most of the nation's residents, disintegrated. With those who made what was possible gone, it did not take long for media, education, and property ownership to go sideways.
Haiti's current political-economic struggle is imbued in "Sa Nou Fe Nap Peye," whose translation is "we're paying for what we've done." In 1825, Haitians paid financially. Since then, they have been paying experientially, psychologically, and emotionally. Addi's and Jonathan's string sounds have been manipulated so they sound not alien, not different, and still unexpected. Obed declared, "This particular number represents how the people who comprised the first African-American republic to win its independence, and its progeny, will always be an example. As Haitians, we as a people are not healed from this."
Flashing forward to the album's final song (preceded by "150 Million Gold Francs" and "Gaya Ko W"), whose English translation is "There isn't a mountain that love can't break," Obed wraps the record with a call to action. "Nan Pwen Miray Lanmou Pap Kraze" beckons and encourages the listener. No accident here: Obed told me, "Since the beginning of time, wars have been fought over religion and land. What brings us together is love. When we love people, there's nothing we can't do."
Fact.
150 Million Gold Francs, the album, can be purchased on Bandcamp. Keep up with Obed on his website, which is the exclusive location of his discography, videos, and performance schedule.
Source: Kate Harvie
0 Comments
Latest on TelAve News
- Cogent Communications Faces Federal Scrutiny Over Fraudulent Acquisition and 22-Year Corporate Cover-Up
- Austin Keen Joins WakeFX RopePal as Official Brand Ambassador
- Bonelli Systems Expands Managed IT Services Nationwide, Leveraging Microsoft Azure Expertise
- $4.3 Million Patent Application Waiver Fee Granted by FDA on New Drug Application Fee for Treatment Addressing Suicidal Depression & PTSD: NRX Pharma
- Whistleblower Claims Dental Patient Deaths Likely Due to Book Ban
- xREnergy up as much as +3,094,634% on first day listed on the XRP Ledger. Ticker : $XRE
- Psychiatry's Legacy of Racism and Coercion Highlighted in Restraint Deaths
- New Book 'Cybersecurity Leadership' Guides SME Leaders to Make Smart, Strategic Security Decisions
- "Stop scrolling and start watching" - Beloved film recommendation site Criticker gets a major makeover
- Green Energy Solar Expands with New Offices in Port St. Lucie, West Palm Beach, and Orlando
- Transportation and Communications Sector SG&A Benchmarks 2025 edition released
- Events by Dubsdread Expands Services to The Venue at Lake Lily
- London Gala Emphasizes Trade, FDI and Ongoing Cooperation
- Sahit Muja Launches Trillion-Dollar Green Revolution with 10 Groundbreaking Cryptos
- Free and Low-Cost Dental Care Now Available in London Through the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
- Garden State Gay Socials Turns One: 1st Birthday Celebration for Gay Men Who Want Real Connection
- Sea Fox® 368X "Extreme Edition" by Black Label Marine Group Celebrates 5 Years of the Commander Legacy
- CCHR Florida: Mental Health Awareness Month Open House
- Introducing LĪNA Universal Balm: A Luxury Multi-Use, Plant-Powered Solution for Skin & Hair
- UIFCA Revolutionizes Financial Education with Elite Team of Investment Experts