Menelas, Ernst

Artist/Band/Group Birthday :	24/12/2021(Age 73)
Born In/Current Location :	Port de Paix, Haiti
Occupation(s) :	Saxophonist, Guitarist, Composer
Genres :	Konpa Direk
Solo/Band/Group :	Les Ambassadeurs

Ernst Ménélas, the fifth of a family of six, was born in Port de Paix, Haiti, on December 24, 1944. He did his primary and secondary studies in Port-au-Prince where he grew up. Ernst had four brothers and a sister. They are: Roger, Georges, Henry Robert (Bob), Claude and Bleuette. It’s been almost a decade since Bob left. Ernst was a member of the Lycée Alexandre Pétion Band, playing the alto sax. At the age of 19, he was already fulfilling the role of maestro in Fontana, a small orchestra that he had founded with Arsène Durosel on solo guitar, a friend from the neighborhood named “Nènèsse, the grageur” who sometimes sang and his brothers Bob and Claude. One year after the birth of Fontana, Hans Félix replaced Arsène Durosel. In 1966, the group changed its name and was baptized ‘Les Ambassadeurs’ on July 23. In less than the blink of an eye, the new group ‘Les Ambassadeurs’ ventured into the carnival parade of 1967 under the direction of maestro Ernst Ménélas. On the float, we could see during the three fat days, Bob and Claude Ménélas, Georges Jose, Essud Fung Cap, Nènèsse the grageur, Toto Robergeau, Ricardo Frank and Martial Thèlrice. Throughout the carnival course, the enthusiasm, the participation and the inclination of the public were meager. However, the second fat day, the creativity of Essud Fung Cap, follower of Joe Trouillot, singer of the brand new musical group, had allowed him to modify the rhythmic, melodic approach and the phraseology of Cizo; a melody sung by Joe Trouillot and Dodof Legro. After the performance of Shrove Monday in 1967, the group was known to all the public who participated.

In 1969, the group darted its first first LP and the rest is well known (google adrienberthaud.com and click on special edition “Les Ambassadeurs”.)

Son of luthier Arnold Ménélas and Madeleine Noel, Ernst married Raymonde Nelson who unfortunately died in Boston on October 28, 2014. From this union, he had two children, Patricia and Soukaina. Cantor of the soil, he ingeniously handles the guitar, the alto sax, the organ and sings wonderfully. How many times he had lit the Ambassadors’ audience at ballroom balls, festivals at the Rex Theater and in other theaters by exhibiting himself on several instruments. He was melodically rich and has a beautiful feather. In 1983, his brother Henry Robert and Don Fred designed with some of his writings and sound suites an album titled ‘Ernst Ménélas Des Ambassadeurs (JD. 1839-1 A). On this disc is imprinted Koutem Koutem byen, Fini, Toi, Je sais, Ko w telman dous (lyrics and texts by Ernst Ménélas) and Faux Oath by Michel Desgrottes, I can’t stop loving you by Don Gibson. He has also written other songs, such as Maille, Retour, Gran moun lontan, Jamais, Sim Tombe, Mission espesyal etc. La Ballade Dominicale by Denis Lefranc paid tribute to maestro Ernst Ménélas alongside Ti Plume, le Jovial, Ricardo Frank and Claude Ménélas for his contribution to the development of Haitian music and to the love he swelled through his texts, his graceful and sublime melodies in which he invited us to drown our teenage setbacks by thinking with much more optimism about the future. Never, Sim Tombe, Mission espesyal etc. La Ballade Dominicale by Denis Lefranc paid tribute to maestro Ernst Ménélas alongside Ti Plume, le Jovial, Ricardo Frank and Claude Ménélas for his contribution to the development of Haitian music and to the love he swelled through his texts, his graceful and sublime melodies in which he invited us to drown our teenage setbacks by thinking with much more optimism about the future. Never, Sim Tombe, Mission espesyal etc. La Ballade Dominicale by Denis Lefranc paid tribute to maestro Ernst Ménélas alongside Ti Plume, le Jovial, Ricardo Frank and Claude Ménélas for his contribution to the development of Haitian music and to the love he swelled through his texts, his graceful and sublime melodies in which he invited us to drown our teenage setbacks by thinking with much more optimism about the future.

Having become diabetic, while suffering from prostate and bone cancer, Maestro Ernst Ménélas splashed around in the fold in his private residence on June 5 around half past four in the afternoon. When he felt the end coming, he left the land of snow and chose Haiti where he died. The maestro made his wishes come true. Before he died he wanted to ‘see the streets where he ran barefoot when he was barely ten years old “(I want text and melody by Ernst Ménélas JD 1839-1A 1983)”. What a lesson in pride of love and patriotism! Condolences to the bereaved families and to his brother musicians. Goodbye maestro, it’s not all really over. It’s only a good bye.

Adrien B, Berthaud
June 2018

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