BIOGRAPHY
Petion-Ville native, Yvon ‘Kapi’ Andre -co-owner and one of the musicians of the legendary band, Tabou Combo. Today, not only is Kapi a multidimensional artist, he is also a percussionist, a singer, a song writer pianist and a father of three children.
Kapi was the youngest in a family of seven children. He recalls that love and respect for your parents were paramount in his young life. For him there was a sense of security, deep love, and compassion among his brothers and sisters. Yvon Andre attended the Les Freres de L'Instruction Chretienne from five to eleven years old and attended Lycee de Petion-Ville for high school. He gained his instruction in music by studying with some of the greatest jazz pianists at the Manhattan School of Music, the Muse in Brooklyn, and The Jazz Mobile in Harlem. Mr. Andre recalls the Henry Street Settlement for music composition and arrangement extensive private piano lessons with P. Jacobs who used to teach music at Brooklyn College.
H was about fifteen, when Albert Chancy a childhood friend saw him substitute for the Diplomates de Petion-Ville’s percussionist.
Yvon ‘Kapi’ Andre
Since he was playing with the Diplomates and they were much older than himself, Chancy thought he was an accomplished musician. The next Monday in class, Chancy asked him to join Los Incognitos which was Tabou's name at the very beginning. Albert Chancy is the original founder of Tabou Combo. There is a drive within the artist, Yvon Andre. It is heard in his voice and we asked him, where did all that come from? Kapi responded, “I am a Jazz fan who studied with famous Jazz artists, therefore it is normal that my compositions are geared toward nice chord progressions and beautiful melodies. As far as voice is concerned, my inspiration comes from many great singers such as; Johnny Hartman, Tony Bennett, Andre Romain, Herby Widmaier, Guy Durosier, Nat King Cole, Mel Torme etc...”
Music is at the forefront of Haitian life these days. For most, a chance at living the good life comes through music or through politics and Kapi wanted to leave the younger generation with some words of advice for longevity in the arts:
“Study their craft. A lot of these youngsters are more concerned of being"Stars'' than Musicians. If one opts to become a musician one should study and have a professional attitude toward the "Metier de Musicien".
Also it is imperative that they become a member of organizations such SACEM or ASCAP. However, since Haitian music is being played mostly in the French Antilles and in France, it is strongly recommended that any one who writes music either as an author or a composer becomes affiliated with SACEM. Making money in this business is not only from "playing bal" but as an author/composer you get paid for your work by SACEM providing that your music is being played on the radio in these territories. You're getting paid also for live gigs, once you submit the list of your compositions being performed to the SACEM representative.
