![Boukman Eksperyans](https://media.bandsintown.com/150x150/7322231.jpg)
Boukman Eksperyans Tour Dates and Upcoming Concerts
Welcome to the official artist page for Boukman Eksperyans – your premier destination for
the latest concert tickets, tour announcements, and exclusive shows near you. Dive into
the music, explore the artist’s reviews and photos, and never miss another concert
moment. Stay updated, stay connected, and be the first to grab tickets for an
unforgettable musical experience.
On tour
No
Followers
2,441
Category
Roots, Folk
Similar Artists On Tour
About Boukman Eksperyans
Boukman Eksperyans is a a mizik rasin band from the city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The band derives its name from Dutty Boukman, a vodou priest who led a religious ceremony in 1791 that is widely considered the start of the Haitian Revolution. The other half of the band's name, "Eksperyans", is the Kréyòl word for "experience", and was inspired by the band's appreciation of the music of Jimi Hendrix. The band was at the height of its popularity in 1991 when the presidency of Jean Bertrand Aristide was overthrown in a military coup d'etat. Like many other artists and performers, Boukman Eksperyans fled the country to live in exile. During their time abroad, the band performed and spoke out against the military dictatorship of Raoul Cédras. In 1994, after Aristide was restored to power, the band returned to Haiti, where they continued to play concerts, record albums, and perform at the Carnival celebrations.
Boukman Eksperyans was founded by Lolo Beaubrun and his wife Mimerose. Beaubrun's father was a comedian and was often referred to as the Bill Cosby of Haiti. While on tour in the United States, he brought back a James Brown LP which left a lasting impression on young Lolo. After his parents divorced, he followed his mother to Brooklyn, New York. In the United States, he studied two years of Business Administration.
Lolo returned to Haiti in 1978, and there were bands playing music known as minidjaz as part of the first "roots" music movement. To Lolo, they seemed to pay no attention to song lyrics that dealt with reality. They were even accused of standing too close to the Duvaliers. When Lolo and Mimrose began to seek their musical goals, they felt a strong desire to incorporate the African element in Haiti's culture into their music. They decided to combine roots music with vodou religious and musical traditions. The greater vision was to use their music to combine the structures found in common throughout world religions with Haitian vodou.
Lolo's grandfather was deeply involved in vodou, but his parents never made this available to him. Lolo and Mimrose entered their first vodou lakou-s, a Haitian spiritual community, where they met musicians and singers. They also got their first real glance at the African culture of Haiti in the form it was handed down from members of various tribes. They founded a group to study vodou music, gave it the name of Moun Ife ("People of the Abode of the Deities"). Lolo stated that Bob Marley, another important musical inspiration, made him think. When he heard the Jamaican legend in 1976, he thought he could create something similar in Haiti with vodou. Lolo and Mimerose began to perform as a live act in the 1980s.
The traditional roots instruments were replaced by electric instruments, like the bass guitar and two guitars played by members Eddy François and Daniel 'Daby' Beaubrun, Lolo's brother and the band's chief arranger. To honor both the 18th century vodou priest and the "high priest of rock music", Jimi Hendrix, the band chose the name Boukman Eksperyans. Since the beginning, starting with the first encounters made by the Beaubruns with deep African roots, Boukman Eksperyans has remained steadfastly linked to the Ginen ("Guinea") vodou line. The band calls it vodou adjaye after a vodou ceremonial dance. This was also the title of their first album, released in 1991.
Boukman Eksperyan first became famous in 1990 when they presented their song "Ke'm Pa Sote" at the Carnival celebration in Port-au-Prince. The song included the refrain "My heart doesn't leap, I'm not afraid". This song was a protest against the living conditions under the post-Duvalier interim military government of General Prosper Avril. After a young girl was shot dead by a soldier, this song became an out-and-out battle hymn admonishing the government. The band continued to write and perform rebellious songs. The band members were never directly threatened, but were advised 'never go out at night'. When the military junta overthrew president Jean-Bertran Aristide in 1991, the band decided to leave the country for their own safety.
Follow on Bandsintown
Genres
Roots, Folk
Band members
Louis "Toto" Eliphète - Percussionist, Moliere "Moali" Calice - PercussionDrums, Jean Lourdy Coiscou - Keyboard, Johanne Dejean - Dancer, Guerline Edouard - Dancer, Geffrard Clervaux - Guitarist, Johanne Colas - Dancer, Henry Pierre Joseph - Percussionist, Ted Gabriel "T'dòz" Beaubrun - Artistic Director Natacha Massillon - Backup vocals, Mimerose "Manzè" P. Beaubrun - Lead Singer, Gary Seney - Percussionist, Raymond "Samba Dwòl" Lexis - Percussionist, Hans "Bwagri"Dominique - Percussionist, Theodore "Lòlò"Beaubrun - Lead Singer, Willy Calixte - Bass Guitar, Gerald "Toto"Alfred - Guitarist
Frequently Asked Questions About Boukman Eksperyans
Concerts & Tour Date Information
Is Boukman Eksperyans on tour?
No, Boukman Eksperyans is not currently on tour and doesn’t have any tour dates scheduled for
2024-2025. Browse related artists and follow Boukman Eksperyans for the latest updates on
upcoming concert tours.