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The Haitian musical world mourns the loss of Richard Duroseau, an iconic accordionist and conga virtuoso, who passed away yesterday at the age of 85. Known for his dazzling technique, improvisational brilliance, and significant contributions to kompa music, Duroseau’s legacy spans over six decades.
Born around 1940 into the renowned Duroseau family of Port-au-Prince, Richard was immersed in music from an early age. His father Emmanuel was not only a talented keyboardist and teacher but also a skilled luthier, crafting pianos, violins, and double basses during a time when importing instruments into Haiti was restricted. This early exposure helped shape Richard’s deep understanding of sound and musical structure
A teenage prodigy, Richard joined the Ensemble Nemours Jean-Baptiste, the groundbreaking band led by the creator of konpa dirèk. Alongside maestros like Nemours and saxophonist Raymond Gaspard, he quickly earned a reputation as one of the “Three Dangers” in the band, admired for his wild improvisations and the richness of his accordion playing.
Richard’s style helped elevate the accordion to orchestral prominence in kompa, enriching the genre with elegant solos and sophisticated harmonies. He later performed in groups throughout the French West Indies and in the United States, including forming the Duroseau Brothers ensemble in New York and playing with Latin bands in Brooklyn’s vibrant scene.
Beyond performance, Richard was revered as a mentor and arranger, shaping the soundscape of Haitian urban music. He continued to inspire audiences into the 21st century, honored at events like the 1999 “Konpa Fèt” festival in Brooklyn and recognized by organizations such as the Françoise Canez Auguste Foundation in 2007 .
He is survived by his extended musical family and countless peers who remember his vibrant improvisations, his fearless spirit, and his ability to bridge tradition and innovation. His passing marks the end of a remarkable era in Haitian music, yet his influence remains deeply embedded in every ba konpa rhythm that calls accordion lines to life.
Richard Duroseau’s artistry, his bold solos, his orchestral flair, and his heartfelt dedication, will forever resonate across Haiti and its diaspora.
Mond mizik ayisyen an nan lapenn apre lanmò Richard Duroseau, yon akòdyonis lejandè ak gwo mesye tanbou conga, ki mouri yè a a laj 85 an. Duroseau te konnen pou teknik briyan li, kapasite enpwovizasyon li ki te san parèy, ak gwo kontribisyon li bay mizik konpa. Eritaj li gaye sou plis pase 60 ane karyè.
Li te fèt anviwon ane 1940, nan fanmi Duroseau ki renome nan Pòtoprens. Depi li te piti, Richard te benyen nan mizik. Papa li, Emmanuel, pa t sèlman yon klavye mizisyen ak pwofesè talan, men li te tou yon bòs atizan ki t ap konstwi pyano, vyolon, ak kontra bas nan epòk kote te gen entèdiksyon sou enpòtasyon enstriman mizik ann Ayiti. Eksperyans sa a depi nan timoun te ede fòme konpreyansyon Richard sou son ak estrikti mizikal.
Kòm yon jèn ki te gen talan natirèl, Richard te antre nan “Ensemble Nemours Jean-Baptiste,” gwoup istorik ki te dirije pa kreyatè konpa dirèk la. Avèk mèt mizisyen tankou Nemours ak saksofonis Raymond Gaspard, li te vin rapidman rekonèt kòm youn nan “Twa Danje” gwoup la, gras a jan li te konn enpwovize epi jan li te jwe akòdyon an ak anpil richès.
Estil Richard la te mete akòdyon an sou yon nivo òkestral nan konpa, li te anrichi jan mizik la ak solo rafine ak amoni ki sofistike. Li te jwe apre sa ak plizyè gwoup nan zile fransè yo nan Karayib la ak Ozetazini, kote li te mete ansanm gwoup “Frè Duroseau” nan New York epi li te jwe ak bann latin nan Brooklyn ki te gen yon sèn mizikal vibran.
Anplis kapasite li kòm pèfòmè, Richard te respekte anpil kòm yon mentor ak yon aranjè, li te ede bay mizik ayisyen vil la fòm li genyen jodi a. Li te kontinye enspire piblik la pandan tout kòmansman 21yèm syèk la. Li te onore nan festival “Konpa Fèt” nan Brooklyn an 1999, epi Fondasyon Françoise Canez Auguste te bay li yon rekonpans ann Ayiti an 2007.
Li kite dèyè yon fanmi mizikal elaji ak anpil kòlèg ki pa janm bliye enpwovizasyon vivan li yo, lespri san pè li, ak jan li te konn mare tradisyon ak inovasyon. Lanmò li make fen yon epòk ekstraòdinè nan mizik ayisyen, men enfliyans li rete vivan nan chak ritm ba konpa kote akòdyon an gen plas pa li.
Atizay Richard Duroseau, solo odasye li yo, manyen òkestral li, ak devouman li mete nan chak nòt, ap toujou rezone nan kè Ayiti ak dyaspora li.
