A Tribute to A Haitian legend Antoine Rosini Jean Bapstiste " Timanno"
by Rene Devis, Heritagekonpa Magazine
Listen to Best of Timanno ( free mp3)
Antoine
Rosini Jean Baptiste's aka Timanno musical career has spanned over 15 years. Timanno
began his professional musical career with " Les Diables du rythme de Saint-Marc, Les Jouvenceau, and Astro
" in the early 1970's; he left the group to become part of Massachusetts' most
successful Haitian band, Volovo De Boston. He was featured as one of the lead
vocalists on Volovo's first album "Rivie Si Malo". The hit songs "Rivièm Simato"
and "Regrets" helped him to gain national recognitions.
After experiencing success with the group Volovo, Timanno returned home in 1978 where he later joined the dynamic group D.P Express De Petion Ville. It was there that Timanno made his mark as a serious song writer and composer. By the time DP Express released the hit album David (the title of album referred to hurricane David's impact on Haiti in 1979). The album was considered as one of the greatest konpa album of all time, the smash hit songs "David", "Corrige", "E, E, E, E", and "Ansanm Ansanm" dominated the airwaves. Timanno's vocal talent and magnetism as a performer propelled him into national stardom.
So popular did he become after the success of David that at the end of 1981 Timanno left D.P Express to form his own group "Gemini All Stars". With the help of the talented keyboardist, Ansito Mercier, now a member of the group Kreyol La, Timanno established his successful solo career. During the summer of 1982, the group released the album entitles "Largent" one of the best and fastest-selling albums in the 80's. The infectious lyrics and enthusiasm of the group's performance captured the public's imagination and propelled the record to number one on the Haiti's music charts.
Under pressure from the Duvalier Regine, Timanno relocated in the United Sated as his popularity was at its peak. He recorded several albums where he addressed many social issues affecting Haitians both at home and abroad. All of his songs were inspirational and meant something to those of us who grew listening to his music in the mid 1980s.
One of my personal favorites from Timanno's rich archive is the song entitles "Canter (The boat) ". The lyrics in the song warned "rural Haitian peasant" (fleeing economic regression and a fragile and brutal political system) about the dangerous and sometimes tragic journey by the sea to reach the shores of South of Florida. "Taking a wooden boat is a great danger; you sold everything you have to pay for the trip, while you left your family in distress. The trip often claimed many lives; those who made it to the refugee camps still faced struggle, racism, and hardships in their quest for economic freedom. You must stop cutting the tree to build boat; and invest in agriculture. With GOD grace, you will survive and send your kids to school.You need to work land and improving your life", depicted one of the many Timanno's powerful messages.
Timanno was Haiti's most engaging singer and composer; he was well respected and loved by the people of Haiti. Timanno was often referred to as "The Haitian Bob Marley" by many of his fans. Although no others artists really compare to Bob Marley's mystic and influence on world music, Timanno was nonetheless a musical prophet, and a legend in his own right in the eyes of many Haitians
Two year before his death Timanno paid a compelling tribute to one of his favorite artists, Bob Marley, arguably one of the greatest figures in World music. "If a genius has one generation, Bob Marley is still with us. From his reggae music he has left for us a musical heritage, which cannot be forgotten . He (Bob Marley) did not work just for himself, unlike the others he works (ed) for freedom, progress, and respect of all Black People", wrote Timanno in his song "Hommage A Bob Marley ( listen to the mp3)". The same can be said about Timanno's legacy
Timanno's memory and legacy will never be forgotten. . prevoius page 1
