About Us

 

 

Plezi’n Nap Pran

‘A Stress Release Formula’

 

History and Philosophy

 

In the spring of 2004, a group of friends started to meet every Friday simply to “hang out”, with no specific purpose. At times, they would watch music videos, sports, or discuss various topics ranging from family issues, acculturation, the US economy and its occurrences, to, inevitably, Haiti. The discussions about Haiti were positive in nature because the unplanned focus was “the good old days”, including the growing experiences and the many activities which constitute the fond memories that they and so many other Haitian-Americans keep within themselves as a treasure.

 

After Gregor Blaise dug up his 25 year-old High School Band saxophone out of his Miami home garage, jamming to Shleu Shleu and Les Fantaisistes old songs, it all started.  Carl Craig joined with his guitar, Eddy (Didy) Altiné brought in the groove and the guitar solos, Jean Kerby Baton added the needed bass, Edouard Leon and Patrick Louis took their roles as percussionists and all, they formed the group PNP-Plezi’n Nap Pran with Pantal Guilbaud and Philippe Carrie as vocalists.  PNP members then engaged in the interpretation of tunes from Tabou Combo, Skah Shah, Les Shleu Shleu, Les Fantaisistes, Les Ambassadeurs, Ibo Combo, Les Difficiles, Nemours Jean-Baptiste, Webert Sicot, Septentrional, and Pepe Bayard/Gary French. The purpose had then become self-explanatory: The weekly gathering was for the release of stress from work, family/children, bills, changes in the US, career uncertainties, deterioration of Haiti, etc.

 

On July 10th, 2004, PNP performed for the first time for about 100 guests at Greg Blaise’s house in Kendall. That performance led to many others during which we had professional guest musicians such as Georges Loubert Chancy, Ardouin Doudou Chancy, Dadou and Tico Pasquet, Gaguy Dépestre, Evens Latortue (Gogo), Yvon Kapi André, Fanfan Tibote, Serge Guerrier, Fungcap, Jean Michel St. Victor (Zouzoul), Joe Boisrond, Smith Jean-Baptiste, Roger Ti Yale Jean Baptiste, Ricot Mazarrin, José Tavernier, Michel Pressoir, Joe Trouillot, Arius Joseph, Alix Nozile, Gary French, Serge Breton, Renan Thybule, Eddy Philippe Borgela and Richard Duroseau, to name a few. Some of these musicians, due to their continued support to the band have become PNP’s Honorary Members.

 

In December 2006, Carlos Ramirez joined the group, bringing his beautiful style on the piano to the groove.

 

In December 2007, Pat Coby, all around percussionist and conga player extraordinaire joined in, followed by Pierre R. Ambroise on vocals, after two original members’ work schedule conflicted with the band's activities.  They quickly adjusted to PNP’s style and philosophy which is as follows:

 

·         PNP is a musical group that provides

             professional entertainment.

·         PNP plays upon request only.

·         PNP performs for three to four Charities every

             year for a reduced fee.

·         PNP, the Retro Master interprets Haitian and

             Spanish songs from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s

             and 80’s. 

·         PNP reserves the right to be selective.   

 

 

 

PNP Members are all professionals in different  disciplines.

 

Eddy Didy Altiné: Lead Guitarist-County Government

                         Administrator,

                         Teacher, TV and Radio host, writer.

                         Previous bands: Laklas, Creacion

                         Criolla, Shleu Shleu, Muzik Etc…

 

Jean Kerby Baton: Bass Guitarist- Retired airline

                          employee, Musicologist,  

                          Owner, Mini School Bus

                          Company.  

                          Previous bands:Young Boys,Take 5

                          with Victor Surpris, Lucky Pierre &

                          D’votion, Muzik Etc… 

 

Carlos Ramirez:     Keyboardist/Pianist- Medical

                           Technician, PA            

                           Previous bands: Ibo Lele, Pepe

                           Bayard/Gary French,Tropical

                           Sextet, Los Haitianos, Miami Hit.

 

Pantaleon Guilbaud:Vocalist- School Teacher, Actor

                            Previous bands: Les Corvingtons,

                            Difficiles de NY, Gypsies de

                            Queens, Tabou Combo, Ibo

                            Combo, Djet-X

 

Patrick Louis:          Drummer- Haiti Studio owner

                             Previous bands: Les Difficiles de

                             Petion Ville, Les Gypsies, Les

                             Shleuberts, Flashback

 

Patrick Coby:          Percussionist- Certified Court

                            Interpreter, Real Estate Broker,

                            Banker 27 yrs.

                            Previous bands:Pepe Bayard/

                            Gary French,Tropical Sextet,

                            Rhadames del Rio, Conexion

                            Latina, Los Haitianos

 

Gregor Blaise:          Saxophonist- CPA, Controller

                              Previous band: Jamaica High

                              School

 

Michel Corvington:  Guitarist- Digital Image

                            Retoucher, Graphic Artist

                            Previous bands:Les Corvingtons,

                            Pepe Bayard/Gary French,Tropical

                            Sextet,Los Haitianos,Miami Hit            

 

G. Loubert Chancy:  PNP Honorary and Active Member

                            Saxophonist-Certified Interpreter                              Accounting and Tax Advisor 

                            Previous bands:  Les Consuls,

                            Shleu Shleu,Skah Shah,Bazouka,

                            VIP,Nu Shah

 

Jean Michel St. Victor: PNP Honorary and Active

                                Member

                                International Vocalist- Shleu

                                Shleu,Skah Shah,Bazouka,Nu

                                Shah

 

Future Projects:       “PNP Scholarship Fund” to help

                              needy Hatian-American

                              students with their educational

                              careers.