Night Two: World Creole Music Festival 2024 in Dominica:

From classic Zouk and Reggae to the latest Bouyon, Dennery Segment, and Afrobeat sounds, fans were delighted at Windsor Park stadium in Roseau, Dominica. The second night of the festival (Saturday, October 26, 2024) included performances by Kassav, Wizkid, Stephen and Damian Marley, Ridge, Pudaz, Umpa, Subance, Asa Benton, and the Patriotic Dance group.

The legendary Martinique band Kassav performed a Tribute to Jacob Desvarieux on Saturday night, which for many in attendance was a focal highlight of the festival. The late singer and guitarist, known for his distinctively gritty (yet seductive) vocals, passed away on July 30, 2021. From that initial musical spark, the stadium roared to life, with music growing exponentially as the full Kassav band filed one-by-one onto the stage and each adding their instrument to the orchestrated mix filled with positive joy. It was a special night in Dominica as the band “came home”. Initially, four musicians set the tempo, including drum, bass, guitar and keys, each interlocking while accelerating the rhythm. All the time, images of Jacob Desvarieux projected onto the large stage screen, in images alongside Kassav band members past and present (some departed) - all projected in kaleidoscope fashion onto the giant screen above.  Combined with colorful lightning and strobes, it created a surreal effect in the large and filled stadium. Shortly after, the full horn section arrived on stage and joined in, followed by lead singers and also keyboardist and band leader Jean Claude Naimro. The band proceeded to sing an explosive opening Tribute to Jacob Desvarieux with a chorus that repeated “Adore… Adore”

This tribute allowed both the band and fans to honor the late Jacob Desvarieux. Additionally, during a post-concert interview, we were able to get a response to a question on all our minds. “Was this the final tribute by Kassav, or are they here to stay and continue on in the music biz with remaining band members?” We learned, to our delight and relief, that Kassav will boldly continue performing! The band leaders have added several key youthful musicians including at a senior level to keep the band fortified and strong for future generations. It is our conclusion, after hearing this latest iteration of Kassav, that the band and concept of Kassav can continue well into the future and respectfully honor Creole music and culture to the masses.

Kassav cycled through many of their “solid gold” hits including medleys which allowed the band to highlight the impact of Kassav and Creole music on the broader global music scene. In particularly, we witnessed a music showcase demonstrating how Creole rhythms from the Antilles were able to influence several notable African music styles. For example, there were strong guitar references to Cameroonian Makossa music during one of Kassav’s medleys, along with verbal references to “Douala” and “Yaoundé,” Central African metropolis where Kassav is immensely popular, alongside verbal references to Dominica, Martinique, St Lucia, and Guadeloupe. Another song featured Congolese Kiwazenza animations and Congolese rumbas guitars.

As Jocelyne Beroard told us during an interview following the performance, Kassav performed at the very first World Creole Music Festival and has returned repeatedly and consistently when invited, culminating in this headliner role at the 24th WCMF. The band was originally brought to the festival in order to demonstrate the international strength of Creole music at a burgeoning festival that was founded with the goal of preserving Creole music. Today, this same Festival, WCMF, is in its 24th iteration and is recognized as one of the world’s premier world music festivals, bar none.

We learned that band members of Kassav maintain a special place for Dominica in their collective hearts, as Beroard explained “(Dominica) is like performing at home… so we hope people are happy to see us"… as Dominica is centralized geographically “between Martinique and Guadeloupe… if we want to leave Martinique to go to Guadeloupe, we need to pass by Dominica.” It felt like this was both a physical, as well as spiritual, reference for the band.

Several founding members of Kassav still lead the band and were present at the Tribute to Jacob including Jocelyne Beroard, Jean-Claude Naimro and Georges Decimus.  Although it is challenging for band members to comment on Kassav without Jacob Desvarieux present, Beroard told us “there is not the voice of Jacob (anymore)… someone can play the guitar almost like him… but NO ONE can sing like him… and no one can create songs like him... This was a tribute to Jacob and we have to do more (tributes). We have to work harder, we love him so much that we have to (perform) as good or even better (than we performed before)”  It has set a very high collective bar for the band.

Additionally, Kassav leadership has broadened the band membership to include more youthful talent in order to prolonge the band’s longevity. One key example is the addition of senior new band member, Jean Jacques Seba, a multi-talented musician and singer who is the son of Cameroonian musician George Seba, who was given a seat to represent the band at the press conference. This was quite a statement! Seba and his farther, George Seba, recorded as session musicians at Paris recording studios for major Antilles and Cameroonian albums productions alongside Kassav members including Jean-Claude Naimro… this took place for decades during the golden era of Zouk and Makossa music in Africa and the Diaspora. Jean Jacques Seba explained “It’s a big honor… Jacob (Desvarieux) taught me a lot of things: to be simple, to be humble and to be give everything that I have in my heart.”

Kassav continues to focus on continuity and delivering a positive, musically intricate message to worldwide audiences. When asked about future plans, it is evident that the Kassav band does not plan to slow down. If audiences want them, they are “open to being booked by promoters to continue to spread their positive message worldwide.” When we asked Kassav about upcoming touring plans, including a potential performance in New York, we learned some promising news. Beroard explained “Crossing fingers, we are working on (a New York performance), probably after May, or by beginning of June at the latest we should be there.”  For context, a planned mega show for the band’s 40th Anniversary had been planned in New York and had to be cancelled due to the Covid pandemic.  “So we have to do it still, and we need to go there for the Tribute to Jacob.” 

The Marley brothers brought their one step Reggae rhythms to Dominica, a country full of Jamaican music fans and additionally an island whose artists often infuse Reggae rhythms and messages into Bouyon and Cadence Lypso music styles. Damian and Stephen Marley, both sons of Bob Marley and worldwide Reggae stars in their own right, have been touring together this Fall throughout the USA accompanied by a superb and tight reggae backing band. The band is able to “bring to life” their original compositions as well as Bob Marley classics and rarities. At moments, Stephen’s vocals bore an uncanny resemblance to his late father, Bob Marley’s singing. This was particularly evident as he sang Punky Reggae Party which can be viewed below (see video example).

The two hour + setlist was filled to the brim with Bob Marley hits including “So Much Trouble”, “Pimper’s Paradise”, “Exodus”, “Jamming”, “I Want To Love You”, and “Heathen”.  Damian and Stephen took turns showcasing their original songs  such as “Welcome to Jamrock” and “Songs from Revelation” respectively; each performing their solo works while their brother joined on stage in accompaniment. Stephen added his rhythm electric guitar for certain numbers and Damian toasted dancehall style while he bounced and jumped across the stage to the thrill of the audience. It was very solid and very good music. The Marley Brothers enthralled the audience , the stadium joined together in unity to sing along to songs of righteousness, protest and positive vibes.

It important to note that Reggae music is very popular in Dominica. Traveling across the island, you cannot escape Reggae music and Rasta messages, both in the city and in the hillside, and local young musical artists including AbiYah Ysrael represent this. Paradise Pier is a restaurant/reggae club on the water in Newtown (just a short drive along the water from Roseau) in Dominica. Owner Mike says Reggae is the primary music he presents at the club.

Traditional dance and music opened each evenings performance, saturday the Patriotic Dance group performed Bele. The group is from Grand Bay, founded in 2015 by Adriana Henderson.

Wizkid made his Dominican debut at the 2024 World Creole Music Festival and it is safe to say he will be welcomed back. Arriving from Lagos, Nigeria with a full live band and performing a scorching concert set list, Wizkid firmly asserted to the audience that he is a leader and confirmed why he is billed as one of the top contemporary music acts on the African continent and a King of Nigeria Afrobeats.

Wizkid channelled the R&B and pop elements of contemporary and classic artists including Prince and Sade, while incorporating his own smooth singing style on top of a steady live band Afrobeats rhythm. What struck us was his visually smooth demeanor, confidence on stage and pitch perfect vocals. Wizkid has some serious vocal pipes and he demonstrated that he is one of the better singers of his generation. Additionally, he was backed up by a superbly tight band.

The stage setup was ultra-modern with multiple tiers and levels all with LED screens that pulsated with visual hues and moods.  Flames, streams of steam shot up from below (perhaps a nod to the Wizard of Oz) while confetti shot up over the audience from mortars and then floated down across the stadium. During his set, the sun started to rise, adding a surreal effect over the stadium. All the while, Wizkid stood on a suspended platform high above the stage, allowing him to walk and prance the stage as a catwalk and engage with audience and his live musicians. To stage left was a band featuring two guitarists, bass and drums and vocals. To stage right were keyboards and additional backing vocalists. Wizkid seemed to thoroughly enjoy his role as master of ceremonies  presiding over the spectacle. The reception was welcoming and triumphant.

The audience, familiar with many of Wizkid’s hit songs, sang along and eagerly anticipated each new hit as it was performed on stage. Wizkid’s level of professionalism, the depth of sonic clarity and the super backing band, and modern visuals resulted on a musical concert production that was on a level above most of the other acts, outside of Kassav. 

We were excited to discover several artists we had been hearing  a lot about would be performing Saturday. Ridge, Pudaz, Subance and Umpa are changing the climate of Caribbean music making faster, louder, harder, and rawer beats and rhymes that have been taking the region by storm.

The distinctive rhythm of Dominican Bouyon is heard thumping, seemingly, from every passing vehicle, outdoor gathering, and open restaurant window in Roseau. Ridge and Pudaz are frequent collaborators and two of the biggest stars of this pulsating soundscape. Ridge operating out of Cross D Bridge Studio has released numerous cuts since 2018 among them "Nasty Business". "Nasty Business" Ridge told media after his performance, is meant to "Shock the region and the world to force them to listen to Bouyon music". The plan of action is working.

Ridge, also emphasized working together with his bandmates, professional musicians from various backgrounds, a group "years in the making". He said they prepared for months rehearsing everyday for this performance. It was a powerful musical statement, The pulsating beat created by interaction between electronic and percussive instruments propelled Pudaz' highly personal, racy and raunchy lyrics.

The pairing has captivated listeners. As “Dirty Dawg” Pudaz delivered the lyrics to B.D.Y.M.M., a tune that reveals a vulnerability and narcissism felt in relationships gonne sour: "Bitch Do Ya Miss Me, I'm sitting on my toilet drinking whiskey, Don't call my phone man I'm sorry, Leave me alone I've got no worries, Yea, bitch you miss me". The lines flow nicely and the irony of the image makes for one greatest breakup lines we can recall. It felt like a moment many in the audience were waiting to express out loud along with the artist.

Like Bouyon, Dennery Segment is characterized by breakneck electronically generated beats that can be traced to St Lucian traditions giving the music a distinctive sound and local flavor. Umpa and Subance mixed digitalized and live instrumentation, drums, keyboard and bass guitar, behind the vocalists, and the lyrics likewise feartured repeated phrases rather than developing narrative.

It was high energy music, Umpa took the stage first, followed by Subance who was in perpetual motion, bouncing across the stage, leaping and doing backflips, to the delight of the audience, while his gruff voice shouted into the microphone exhorting the flag waving audience. Umpa who has had a string of hits since bursting on to the scene, his vocal style embracing soca and dancehall phrasing in both Creole and English. Despite touring worldwide he said it was his first time in Dominica.

The Dennery Segment music style is named after the community from which it originated in St. Lucia. St Lucia hadn’t been known for cutting-edge music in the previous decade when musicians such as Jahim Etienne began experimenting, mixing electronics and traditional elements, inspired by Angolan Kuduro beats. For that reason, the style burst onto the Caribbean music scene making an immediate impact.