What began as an experimental collaboration in 1978 between Guadeloupe-born musicians in Paris turned out to be the French Antilles' first pop supergroup, Kassav', and zouk music's most popular, pioneering and enduring bands. The group features guitarist Jacob Desvarieux and brothers George and Pierre-Eduard Decimus on bass and percussion, along with Jean Claude Naimro on keys, Claude Vamur on percussion and singers Jocelyn Beroard, Jean Philippe Marthely and Patrick Saint-Eloi.
Kassav' fused native Antillean rhythms such as gwa-ko, kadans and biguine with Western elements such as rock guitar and a funk horn section as well as West African guitar and percussion styles. The band's live show is a spectacular, colorful and animated, with dancers Catherine Laupa and Marie-José Gibon featured as integral members of the band.
Panamanian flute master Mauricio Smith, who was known for his bold, kicking and rolling horn arrangements, produced some of Kassav's most important recordings, including 1989's Majestik Zouk. The band remained in the forefront of the music scene in France and the Caribbean through the 1980s and well into the '90s. The group also launched solo projects, such as singer Jocelyne Beroard's notable album Siwo and her own band, Zouk Machine.
Based in Paris but equally at home in the islands, Kassav' continued to absorb elements from the international pop scene, and in return made its mark on contemporary dance music throughout the African diaspora. The group's influence can be heard in the work of singers such as Edith Lefel and Dédé Saint Prix, whose softer pop stylings helped forge the "zouk-love" that is currently in vogue among the region's musical artists.
Kassav' received the Martinique Music Award in 2000 for its anniversary concert, and Patrick Saint Eloi won the SACEM award for best artist from Guadeloupe. Kassav' continues to perform throughout the world to capacity crowds. —Neva Wartell
