The maestro of the Klass Group, Jean Herard Richard (Richie), reveals himself, contrary to his habit, on “Top Groove”, a program hosted by cultural journalist, Evens Jean.
During this program, Richie came back on his relationship with Dener Céide and his group Zafem. He also reported on
activities related to the preparation of the tenth anniversary of his musical band.
One of the Haitian musicians who have most marked the last two decades in the Haitian music industry, Jean Herard Richard has also announced the release of the new album of Klass next April, which will coincide with the 10th anniversary of this musical formation.
“10 sou 10” should be the title of the album which will contain ten songs.
Jean Herard Richard expects that Klass fans will be satisfied.
In addition, he reported on the last tour of Klass in the Dominican Republic where the group was finally able to perform in front of its audience, following the abortion of its two previous performances, due to health measures related to covid-19 and the passage of the earthquake last August 14 in Haiti. *Herman Nau, ex-drummer of Tabou Combo, and the two behemoths of Cap-Haitian, in this case, the Tropicana and the Septentrional, are the models of Ritchie in the absolute, according to the latter.
Jean Hérard Richard thinks that he is a disciple of the former drummer of Tabou Combo. In this regard, the host of the program “Top Groove”, Evens Jean, who is close to the Tabou Combo, revealed to him that the famous drummer (who died in July 2021) spoke of him in glowing terms and considered him the best drummer of the new generation.
Ritchie admits that he was not only impressed by Herman Nau’s dexterity, but also by the way he managed the band off stage. Jean Hérard Richard says he was even inspired to better organize the management of Klass: “We’d like to follow in the footsteps of Tabou Combo, in that sense,” according to his words.
Richie also praised the sense of organization and discipline that continues to prevail in the Septentrional and Tropicana orchestras.
*Ritchie and Zafèm”
Despite persistent rumors about the alleged involvement of certain musical groups in the difficulties preventing the emergence of “Zafèm” on the music scene, Ritchie believes that the blockage is in no way musical, because according to him, the first two musical proposals of this group (Savalou and “Ala de ka”) are of very high quality.