Compas

Compas (French pronunciation: [kɔ̃pa]; Haitian Creole: konpa dirèk;[2] French: compas direct), also known as konpa or kompa, is a modern méringue dance music genre of Haiti.[1] The genre was popularized by Nemours Jean-Baptiste following the creation of Ensemble Aux Callebasses in 1955, which became Ensemble Nemours Jean-Baptiste in 1957. The frequent tours of the many Haitian bands have cemented the style in all the Caribbean. Therefore, compas is the main music of several countries such as Dominica and the French Antilles.[3] Whether it is called zouk, where French Antilles artists of Martinique and Guadeloupe have taken it, or konpa in places where Haitian artists have toured, this méringue style is influential in part of[4] the Caribbean, Portugal, Cape Verde, France, part of Canada, and South and North America.[5][6][7]

  1. ^ a b Hall, Michael R. (2012). Historical Dictionary of Haiti. Scarecrow Press. p. 69. ISBN 9780810878105. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  2. ^ Sam Bleakley; J. S. Callahan (2012). Surfing Tropical Beats. Alison Hodge Publishers. p. 149. ISBN 9780906720851.
  3. ^ All Music Guide 1997. World Music. French Antilles p901 Published by Backbeat Book CA. Caribbean Music Styles
  4. ^ Coupé Cloué and other Haitian bands touted the French Antilleans and have further exposed the Konpa Direct style
  5. ^ Manuel, Peter (2006). Caribbean Currents: Caribbean Music from Rumba to Reggae (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Temple University Press. ISBN 1-59213-463-7.
  6. ^ Gage Averill (1997). Caribbean Current: A day for the hunter. A day for the prey. Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press.
  7. ^ Peter Manuel (1988). Popular Musics of the Non-Western World. Oxford University Press. pp. 72–74.