Drum Machine

Think of Gaston “Bonga” Jean-Baptiste as the Fela Kuti of Haitian percussion, and you may start to understand how much this artist means to mizik rasin, Haiti’s traditional roots music. The master percussionist is known all over this planet for his wizard-like merging of Vodou rhythms with ceremonial drummers, singers,...

By Steve Jansen

August 12, 2010

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Think of Gaston “Bonga” Jean-Baptiste as the Fela Kuti of Haitian percussion, and you may start to understand how much this artist means to mizik rasin, Haiti’s traditional roots music. The master percussionist is known all over this planet for his wizard-like merging of Vodou rhythms with ceremonial drummers, singers, and dancers. And since Vodou is also used in the country’s vibrant cultural practices and religious proceedings, Jean-Baptiste’s music listens like a bonafide sonic representation of the country’s spiritual core.

Check out the heavy-hitting drummer and his ensemble during the Bonga and Vodou Drums of Haiti gig at the Musical Instrument Museum with a pre-concert talk at 7 preceding each performance.

Thu., Aug. 12, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., Aug. 13, 7:30 p.m., 2010

Steve Jansen

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