For years, the piece of music Fiesta has been in the Hit Parede, recorded in 1986 by the Tabou Combo, a Haitian orchestra that caused a sensation in Panama in the 80s, but it is not until 1988 that Fiesta is among the most listened to pieces in Panama, Costa Rica, Curacao, USA, Europe and other countries.
Perhaps it is important to know that the author and singer of that famous piece is a Panamanian and a native of One Mile, Admiral, Bocas del Toro. I mention this so that it does not happen what happened with another bocatoreño, who remained anonymous, who excelled in the Jazz with his Big Band and who, after winning the lottery in Colón in 1920, moved to the US. where he finally arrives in New Orleans, land of Jazz, beginning his career, where he alternates with the greats, like Louis Armstrong, who is discussed if Armstrong joined the Russell Orchestra or vice versa, and it was not until the late 90’s that a new generation, including Panamanians of advanced age, knew of the existence of that artist, named Luis Carl Russell, a native of Carenero, Bocas del Toro, when his figure was rescued in Panama.
In the case of Alfredo Payne [1953], who lives in New York and is part of a family of musicians – his father Bill Payne was trumpeter and conductor in Colon, Puerto Armuelles, Almirante and Limón in Costa Rica, and especially his group Bill Payne and his Ambassadors- formed part of what was called at the time and today is known as the National Combos, well remembered in Panama, such as the Dynamic Exciters, The Beachers, The Silverstone, The Happy Sound, The Mozambiques, Soul Fantastic, The Superiors, The Joyous Brunette, The Persuaders, The Strangers, Sui Generis, The Goombays, The Lyrics Combo, PanaSwing, just to mention a few.
Payne was the creator in 1967 of the famous HB of Bocas de Toro at the age of 14, of pleasant remembrance for that generation that enjoyed his pieces and danced with his melodious music, together with a Pleiad of young bocatoreños, namely Alonso Francis, Carlos Harbar Rodolfo Wright. By the time of the creation of the HB, one year before, the Beachers were created, and other combos were created in Bocas del Toro, such as Los Ases del Ritmo, Los Gaystars, Los Rivales, Los Hermanos Cotes, Tito y sus Soneros
It is worth clarifying that HB has nothing to do with the famous beer of the same name, because, it means Honorable Boys [Honorable Boys]. Payne recorded his first album in 1970 at the age of 17, where the songs Come Back To Me, Do not Hate Me, Rain Over Wet, Hey Rumbero and Solo with my Sadness are under the label of Discos Tamayo. In 1974 this group moves to David; Chiriqui, giving a firm start to Payne’s career.
In 1976, at the age of 23, Alfredito moved to Costa Rica to work with the Peace Makers of Siquirres under the direction of Ernesto Mulgrave in the province of Limón. After fulfilling these commitments, Alfredito decided to stay in New York to be part of the Professionals of Panama. With them he shared stages with artists such as Camilo Azuquita, Celia Cruz, Ismael Rivera, Tito Puente, Luis “Perico” Ortiz, Tito Nieves, Mark Anthony Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez, Oscar D’Leon, Puerto Rican Power, to name a few artists .
After this great experience, Alfredito forms Alfredito Payne and his Orchestra, integrated by Wilfredo “Pilony” Dixon, conga and timbales, Ralph Roper, Congas, both bocatoreños and others. In 1986 he joined the Tabou Combo, on the recommendation of Ricardo Bermúdez, former director of the Silvertones de Colón. There he composed the piece Fiesta, touring countries and cities such as Canada, Costa Rica, France, Panama, Haiti, Martinique, Chicago, Miami, Boston, New Jersey and California. In November 2008, the Facundo Rivero Performing Arts Foundation of the City of Miami awarded him the Estrella 2007 Music Award for the song “Fiesta” and his long career in the art of music.
He recently recorded a theme for the carnival entitled “Let’s enjoy” with the participation of the New York reggaeton Peter Pana and Idania Dowman -The lady of Jazz- and Colaquito Cortez on the accordion and violin.
Alfredito and the Tabou Combo had a great reunion of Panama and Haiti on Monday of Carnival, where the bocatoreños had the opportunity to see this Panamanian pride and, in passing, see Admiral Boy live, who triumphs in the US. What better gift than this tribute to Tabou Combo de Alfredito and to see and hear them personally in Isla Colón.