Alan Lomax, Haiti, and Cosmpolitan Haitian Music

Interesting lecture featuring Averill discussing the background of Alan Lomax's field recordings in Haiti in the 1930s, similarities with New Orleans music, the variety of musical genres carrying influences from Cuban son, Trinidadian calypso, Vodou (Rara and ceremonies), and Zora Neale Hurston singing American folktunes of her youth. Check out the following:

1. "Deus Blues" 

2. "Valse A Elle"

3. "Instrumental Merengue"  

4. "Mèsi, Papa Vensan"

5. "Kamèn Sa Wa Fè?"

One can hear the influence of Cuban son, Haitian mereng, djaz, the Haitian version of the marimbula, and other sounds in Haitian music from this era. Praise songs, Vodou rituals, rara, urban music, and twoubadou all reveal the cosmopolitan nature of Haitian music in the 1930s. Indeed, enjoy this one about Trujillo!