Haitian musicians died at 70
Here are 2 famous musicians from Haiti died at 70:
Jean-Claude Garoute
Jean-Claude Garoute (December 9, 1935 Haiti-December 1, 2006) was a Haitian personality.
Jean-Claude Garoute, also known as "Tiga", was a renowned Haitian painter, sculptor, writer, and cultural activist. He is considered as one of the most important figures of the Haitian art movement known as "Naive Art".
Garoute was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and graduated from the Centre d'Art in 1955. Afterward, he traveled and studied throughout Europe and the United States, sharing his artistic talents and showcasing his work.
In addition to his artistic expertise, Garoute was an advocate for cultural preservation and took on many cultural roles in Haiti. He founded the National Bureau of Ethnology in Port-au-Prince and was involved in organizing cultural festivals and events.
Throughout his career, Garoute's artwork featured Haitian culture, Haitian history, and Haitian folklore. Many of his pieces are now part of collections at renowned museums and art institutions around the world.
Jean-Claude Garoute is remembered as a cultural pioneer in Haiti and a significant contributor to the Haitian art movement.
Following his studies and travels, Garoute returned to Haiti and continued to make an impact in the cultural sphere. He co-founded the famous art collective "Tam-Tam," which not only produced art but also organized cultural events and performances. Garoute was an active participant in the Vodou religion and his artwork often reflected Vodou themes and symbolism. He was also a passionate advocate for social justice and used his art to comment on political and social issues in Haiti. In 1986, Garoute was honored with the National Order of Honor and Merit, which is one of Haiti's highest distinctions. Today, his contributions to Haitian art and culture are celebrated through a foundation that was established in his name, The Jean-Claude Garoute Foundation for Haitian Art and Culture.
Garoute's impact on the Haitian art movement was significant, as he emerged during a time when Haitian artists were gaining international recognition. He was known for his vibrant and colorful depictions of Haitian life, using a mix of painting and sculpture techniques. His sculptures, in particular, were praised for their intricate detail and use of recycled materials.Garoute's involvement in preserving Haitian culture extended beyond his artwork. In 1963, he helped create the Musée d'Ethnographie du Peuple Haïtien (Museum of Ethnography of the Haitian People), which showcased artifacts and exhibits on Haitian culture and history.Garoute's legacy continues to inspire and influence artists and activists in Haiti and beyond. His work is still exhibited in museums and galleries around the world, and his contributions to Haitian culture are celebrated today through initiatives like the Garoute Foundation.
In addition to his artistic and cultural contributions, Jean-Claude Garoute was also a writer. He published works on Haitian art and folklore, Vodou religion, and social justice issues. One of his most famous books is "Le Ghetto," which explores the struggles of the Haitian people living in urban slums.
Garoute was also a mentor and teacher to many young Haitian artists, passing on his skills and knowledge to future generations. He believed in the power of art to inspire social change and used his platform to advocate for human rights and equality.
Despite facing numerous obstacles and challenges throughout his career, Garoute remained committed to promoting Haitian culture and empowering artists in his country. His dedication and passion continue to inspire generations of Haitian artists and cultural advocates.
Garoute's artwork was widely recognized and celebrated during his lifetime. His pieces were displayed in many prestigious museums and galleries, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art in Washington D.C., and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. He also exhibited his work in Haiti and throughout the Caribbean, Europe, and the United States.
In addition to his artistic and cultural contributions, Garoute was also actively involved in politics. He was a supporter of the Haitian resistance against the brutal dictatorship of François "Papa Doc" Duvalier in the 1960s and 1970s. He was also involved in the Lavalas movement led by Jean-Bertrand Aristide, which fought for social and economic justice in Haiti. Despite facing political persecution and repression, Garoute remained committed to advocating for political change and using his art as a tool for social justice.
Garoute's influence extended beyond his native Haiti. He was a beloved and respected figure in the Haitian diaspora and was often invited to speak and exhibit his work abroad. In the United States, he taught at the Albert Schweitzer Institute at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut and was a cultural ambassador for Haiti.
Through his art, activism, and cultural preservation work, Jean-Claude Garoute left a lasting impact on Haitian society and the world of art. His legacy continues to inspire artists, activists, and cultural advocates around the world.
Following his passing, many tributes were paid to Garoute's life and work. Haitian President René Préval praised Garoute as a "true ambassador of Haitian culture," and the Haitian Ministry of Culture described him as a "national treasure." The Tam-Tam collective also held a special commemorative ceremony in his honor.
In recent years, Garoute's work has gained renewed attention and interest, with several retrospectives and exhibitions focusing on his contributions to the Haitian art movement. In 2017, the National Museum of Haiti held a major exhibition of his artwork, featuring many of his sculptures, paintings, and drawings. The exhibition highlighted Garoute's unique blend of cultural, political, and religious themes, and celebrated his legacy as a cultural pioneer in Haiti.
Today, Garoute's contributions to Haitian art and culture continue to inspire a new generation of artists and cultural activists. The Jean-Claude Garoute Foundation for Haitian Art and Culture, established in his name, aims to promote and preserve Haitian cultural traditions and provide support for emerging artists. The foundation offers educational programs, arts workshops, and exhibitions, and holds an annual event to celebrate Garoute's life and work. Through these initiatives and others like them, Garoute's legacy lives on as a source of inspiration and hope for many Haitians and others around the world.
He died caused by cancer.
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Philippe Thoby-Marcelin
Philippe Thoby-Marcelin (December 11, 1904 Port-au-Prince-August 13, 1975 Syracuse) also known as Philippe Marcelin was a Haitian personality.
He was a renowned writer, journalist, and political figure who championed democracy, social justice, and freedom of the press in Haiti during a period marked by political turmoil and dictatorship. He co-founded the weekly newspaper "Le Nouvelliste" in 1898, which became one of the most influential Haitian newspapers. In addition to his newspaper work, he was also a prolific writer and author of several critically acclaimed novels, including "D'Une Prison A L'Autre" and "La Vierge aux Bandits." Throughout his career, Thoby-Marcelin was a vocal advocate of Haitian nationalism and culture and worked to promote the rich history and traditions of Haiti both nationally and internationally. Despite facing significant political persecution and censorship, he remained committed to his ideals and continued to speak out against oppression and injustice until his passing.
Thoby-Marcelin was born into a prominent Haitian family and received a high-quality education from some of the best schools in the country. He originally wanted to become a lawyer but soon discovered his passion for journalism, which led him to co-found "Le Nouvelliste" with Luckner Cambronne. Thoby-Marcelin believed that journalism was essential for informing the public and holding those in power accountable.
In addition to his work with "Le Nouvelliste," Thoby-Marcelin worked as a professor of literature and philosophy at the secondary school level. He was also a member of the Haitian Senate and served as the Minister of Education and Agriculture under the government of President Lescot.
Thoby-Marcelin's commitment to social justice led him to join the Haitian Democratic Unity Party (PUDH) in the 1940s. The party's primary goal was to promote democracy in Haiti, which was often marred by political corruption and authoritarian rule. Thoby-Marcelin advocated for a government that was more responsive to the needs of the Haitian people and that respected their basic rights.
Throughout his life, Thoby-Marcelin remained committed to his ideals, even when they put him at great personal risk. Despite facing censorship and persecution from the government, he continued to speak out against oppression and injustice. His legacy as a champion of Haitian democracy and culture continues to inspire generations of Haitians to this day.
Thoby-Marcelin's literary contributions were vital in enriching the Haitian literary scene. He contributed to the development of the Kreyol language as a legitimate literary language, a language that was disparaged and considered inadequate at the time. Thoby-Marcelin wrote extensively in Kreyol and was a prominent figure in the Kreyol language movement that sought to promote the language's use in literature, politics, and education. His works in Kreyol are still widely read and celebrated in Haiti today.
Thoby-Marcelin also played a crucial role in the founding of the Caribbean Writers Association, an organization that aimed to promote and support literature across the Caribbean. He strongly believed that Caribbean literature should be celebrated as a unique, vibrant, and essential part of the world's literary canon.
Despite his work in the political and literary spheres, Thoby-Marcelin remained a humble man. He was regarded as a warm and compassionate person who used his influence and success to empower his fellow Haitians. His passing in Syracuse, New York, was felt deeply across Haiti and the wider Caribbean region.
In recognition of his immense contributions to Haitian literature, journalism, and politics, several awards and prizes have been named in Thoby-Marcelin's honor. These include the Thoby-Marcelin Prize for Literature, which is awarded annually to Haitian writers, and the Philippe Thoby-Marcelin Award, which recognizes achievements in journalism in Haiti.
Thoby-Marcelin was married to another prominent Haitian writer, Marie Vieux-Chauvet, who was also known for her contributions to Haitian literature. The couple had a daughter together, named Pascale Thoby-Marcelin, who would go on to become a prominent feminist activist in Haiti. Thoby-Marcelin's legacy as a political and cultural leader has extended beyond Haiti's borders, with his contributions being recognized by organizations such as UNESCO and the Organization of American States. His life's work serves as a testament to the importance of using one's talents and voice to advocate for justice, equality, and freedom.
In addition to his contributions to journalism, literature, and politics, Thoby-Marcelin was also an accomplished musician. He played the piano, and his love for music was evident in his writing, where it often featured as a central theme. Thoby-Marcelin also co-founded the National Conservatory of Music in Haiti, which became one of the country's most respected music schools. Through his passion for music, Thoby-Marcelin sought to promote the importance of the arts, not just in Haiti but across the Caribbean region as a whole.
Despite facing political persecution and censorship throughout his career, Thoby-Marcelin remained committed to his ideals, and his works continue to inspire Haitians today. His contributions to Haitian literature, journalism, and politics have cemented his place in Haitian history as a champion of democracy and freedom of expression. His legacy serves as a reminder of the power of words and the importance of using them to advocate for social justice and equality.
Thoby-Marcelin's dedication to promoting Haitian culture and history extended beyond his work in journalism and politics. In the 1950s, he co-founded the Haitian Ethnographic Society, an organization that aimed to study and document Haitian folklore, music, and dance. Through this organization, Thoby-Marcelin sought to preserve the country's rich cultural heritage and promote its value to the wider world. His efforts helped to establish Haiti as a cultural center of the Caribbean, and today, the country is renowned for its vibrant arts scene and rich heritage.
Thoby-Marcelin's impact on Haitian society continues to be felt today, more than four decades after his passing. He was a vocal advocate for social justice and equality, and his tireless efforts to promote democracy, freedom of the press, and human rights have inspired generations of Haitians to follow in his footsteps. His legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity, and his contributions to Haiti's cultural and literary scenes continue to enrich the lives of people around the world.
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