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Daniel Beaubrun

Daniel “Dadi” Beaubrun is a brilliant, composer, songwriter, producer, multi- instrumentist and engineer. His unique musical style blends traditional Haitian Vodou rhythms with rock, pop and blues which is know as Racine (roots) music. This distinct Racine sound is evident in the three albums Daniel Beaubrun produced for Boukman Eksperyans: “Vodou Adjae,” which was nominated for a Grammy Awards for “World Music Album of the Year” in 1992 “Kalfou Danjere,” and “Libète Pran Pou Pran l.” Boukman Eksperyans is a musical band that was founded by Daniel, with his brother Theodore Beaubrun Jr. & his wife Mimerose Beaubrun and sister Marjorie Beaubrun in Port-au-Prince. After the band’s first hit (Wet Chenn) on the radio in 1988, Boukman Eksperyans became internationally acclaimed for its work in preserving the traditional Haitian Vodou music in an innovative style developed by Daniel Beaubrun. Today, Daniel's unique sound and inventive bass playing has earned its own distinctive niche in World Music for Haiti just as the Reggae freedom songs of Bob Marley have done for Jamaica. From 1989-1996 Daniel was the band leader (maestro) of Boukman Eksperyans. He wrote, produced and arranged a number of memorable hits for the band. He has toured worldwide with the group.

Since his extensive career with the Boukman Eksperyans, Daniel has performed with recognized artists such as Peter Gabriel, Yossou N’Dour (Senegalese singer) Ismael Lo, Jimmy Cliff, Michael Shrives (Carlos Santana’s former drummer) Mary J. Blidge, Joan Wasser and Nigerian singer Asa. He also produced and composed for platinum Columbia recording artist, Fugees. Moreover, Daniel was commissioned by Grammy Awards and internationally recognized solo artist Wyclef Jean as writer/composer for his Columbia recorded album, The Ecleftic -tracks Diallo and Thug Angel and on Wyclef’s 2004 release Kreyol 101 - track Marasa. He also played bass and guitar on several other tracks.

Daniel has also worked untiringly with applauded artists within the Haitian community producing songs and albums for the likes of acclaimed Emeline Michel Racine Kreyòl, Reine de Coeur, Jepthé Guillaume Voyage of Dreams, Eddy Francois Zinga, Kilti Chok Kilti Chòk, Steve Brunache’s Chimen Limyè and Tinès Salvant.

EARLY LIFE Daniel is from a family of artists. The son of Haiti’s greatest comedian Theodore Beaubrun “Languichatte” and dancer/ actress Luce Ameris Beaubrun. Since the age of seven Daniel knew he would be a musician. He first love was for the guitar. Being an autodidact, Dadi started to learn how to play drum which didn’t last long due to the level of noise. Since guitar was his first love, he switched to guitar by trying to play his favorite Carlos Santana songs. A friend of the family who created a band stored his equipment at the Beaubrun’s house that was then Dadi found an electric bass and started to play at night by mimicking the sound of the late night “bann Rara” (a traditional street walking percussive band). His brother Theodore Jr. introduced Daniel to the traditional Vodou music of Lakou Souvenans and Lakou Soukri. That was the turning point in Daniel’s musical journey. At the age of 14 Daniel moved to New York where he started High School. He was reunited with an original member of Boukman Eksperyans named Fanfan Alexis who was Dadi’s mentor. Daniel’s father gave him an acoustic guitar as a gift that was when he developed the habit of practicing 6 to 8 hours daily. During his sophomore year, Daniel was playing bass and guitar and starting wrote his first song called “Verite”. Since that time, he was working toward developing a new sound. In 1983 after graduating from high school, Daniel went to Queensborough C. College and enrolled in the new experimental program Music Electronic. As a music student, Daniel caught the attention of all his professors who were fascinated by his musical approach. A music theory professor was so impressed by Daniel’s composition that he asked Daniel to grant him permission to keep one of his composition as an example for future theory class students and gave Daniel a full access pass to the school’s piano lab. Daniel spent all of his off class hours practicing piano. Teaching himself how to play bass and guitar, Daniel developed a unique technic for the bass which influenced most if not all Haitian Racine bass players. It took Daniel about 11 years to create and established what was known as the “Boukman” sound. It was so distinct that it caught the attention of Island Records’ executive who signed Boukman Eksperyans under their World Music sub label Island Mango for three albums. Daniel is now the CEO of his indie label & production company Dadisound Productions. He and his wife Katiana are doing researches on traditional Haitian dance and music in danger of extinction. They are also conducting workshops on artistic development with talented under privileged artists.

Name: Jean Daniel Beaubrun Artist Name: Dadi DOB: October 14th Place: Port-au-Prince, Haiti Parents: Theodore Beaubrun & Luce Ameris Beaubrun Wife: Katiana Children: Amalissa, Ariel Sarah, Daniel Occupation: Musician, producer, composer/songwriter. Singer, bass, guitar player, arranger

Awards received

American Airlines Music Award: 1989 “Song of the Year” Artist: Boukman Eksperyans                Song: Wet chenn Caribbean Music Award: 1993 “Best World Album” Artist: Boukman Eksperyans                Album: Kalfou Danjere Caribbean Music Award: 1993 “Best Creole Album” Artist: Boukman Eksperyans                   Album: Kalfou Danger

ALBUMS Vodou Adjae- Boukman Eksperyans

Kalfou Danjere- Boukman Eksperyans

Libète Pran Pou Pran l- Boukman Eksperyans

Chimen Limyè- Steve Brunache

Kè m Chavire- Tinès Salvant

Vierge Kreyòl- Tinès Salvant

Kilti Chòk- Kilti Chòk

Tou Manbre- Lataye

HIT SONGS Wet Chenn Nou Pap Sa Bliye Pwazon Rat Kè m Pa Sote Tribilasyon Bay Bondye Glwa Jou Nou Revolte Zanset Nou Yo Kalfou Danjere Ganga Konbit Zaka Devan Bawon Zili Kuoman Sa Ta Ye Rara Ticelia Sayila Edike Marinèt Thug Angel Diallo Nonm Sa a