T-Vice Mgt. Press Release on Cardoso tragedy

Fans, friends and family,

It is with a heavy heart that we send out this message. Many of you know that T-Vice is composed of a close knit family and when one member hurts we all hurt. On our way to the airport yesterday mid afternoon to board our flight to Santo Domingo for the FiestaPiscina Weekend, we lost one of our family members. In a terrible car accident James Cardoso lost his brother, Rocky. The shock has yet to wear off and we are still trying to understand why something like this could happen.



We ask our fans, friends and family to keep our brother in your prayers as well as his family. This is a hard loss to bear and we have decided to cancel our Santo Domingo tour. We do apologize to everyone and in this time of grief we ask that each of you take note of how precious life truly is. In a split second T-Vice can be on top of the world feeling amazing from an outstanding Kanaval 2012 in Aux Cayes and in one moment our joy, excitement and energy was taken from us as we lost one of our own.

Please keep James in your prayers for this is something none of the T-Vice crew ever expected to be going through today!

T-Vice Management
Feb. 25, 2012
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The RockMasters Entertainment team sends its sincere condolences to the Cordoso family and the T-Vice family. He is gone from sight, but never memories. Gone from your touch, but never your hearts. With deepest sympathy,

- RockMasters Entertainment

Kompa Guide & Creole TV-NYC Press Release on Kompa Legends Event Venue Incident

For  Immediate Release Please

 Probable Double Booked Venue Created Confusion at Kompa Legends Saturday October 22.

On behalf of Kompa Guide and Creole TV-NYC, we thank our media partners, the musicians of Tabou Combo, Skah Shah & System Band, the sound engineers, and the  fans who stayed to witness and dance at this historic event.   But we must apologize to those who were surprised by the change of venue to the Millennium Theater instead of the Ballroom and those who were not allowed to enter by Oceana's security.

On June 9, 2011, Kompa Guide & Creole TV-NYC signed a rental contract with Jamie Czerniawski (Oceana Event Coordinator) to use the Oceana Hall ballroom for the total sum of $3,000, gave a deposit of $600 and made the final payment on September 29, 2011. All payments were made by checks.  The contract covered use of the downstairs ballroom,  security guards, bartenders, bathroom attendants, valet parking, coat check, house light system.  The venue is well known for hosting events for over 1,500 patrons.

On Saturday October 15, a manager from Oceana Hall named Firma called Kompa Guide & Creole TV-NYC at 11am and offered them the theater to which the members rejected. In the afternoon members of Kompa Guide, Creole TV-NYC and Herman Nau of Tabou Combo (stage manager of Kompa Legends) arrived at the venue for a technical walkthrough of the ballroom to discuss the logistics for electricity, sound systems and lighting equipment.  Firma who was present during the inspection decided to show the theater to the staff who automatically rejected the offer to switch  and reiterated that the contract was for the ballroom for a dance.  Upon leaving the Oceana Hall, Kompa Guide sent a text to Jamie Czerniawski (rep who signed the contract on behalf of Oceana) to notify her that Firma was trying to persuade them to change the event to the theater and the decision was to keep the ballroom.

On Wednesday October 19 in the afternoon, Firma called several members of Kompa Guide & Creole TV-NYC giving them an ultimatum to switch the event to the theater.  By now Kompa Guide  realized that the ballroom must have been double-booked, contacted their attorney and faxed him a copy of  the fully paid contract. 

 Thursday morning October 20, Kompa Guide's attorney called  Oceana Hall to discuss the problem and is directed to their attorney Diana Bornstein who claimed it was rumored that  the event may reached over the capacity of the ballroom. Kompa Guide offered to limit the event to whatever capacity would satisfy them, but pointed out all  other events which attracts over 1,500 patrons at the Oceana regularly.  At 4:20pm that day, Jamie sent a text to Kompa Guide  "Contract is cancelled due to the fact Kompa Guide refused to move the event to the theater."

Kompa Guide immediately forwarded the text to their attorney, who notified Kompa that there was not enough time to file a court injunction which would force Oceana Hall to fulfill the contract, and since he was leaving town for the weekend, he  gave Kompa two choices: to either accept the cancellation and proceed with a lawsuit which could be a lengthy process, or work-out a solution to host the event that Saturday.

Friday October 21,  at 4:16pm Oceana Hall offered a new agreement to Kompa Guide via email to host the event at the Millennium Theater which has a legal capacity of 1,470 instead of the cancellation of the ballroom. Kompa Guide & Creole TV-NYC were given until 6pm  to accept the agreement.  The decision to accept was made for consideration of the many fans who traveled from overseas and out-of state, those who waited a life time to witness the Legends on the same stage, the musicians who made a pack of friendship to promote unity,  and the expenses that were made for the event. 

Saturday October 22, the day of the event, security allowed only 900 patrons and refused admission to everyone else who came after. Sound engineers did not receive the assistance that was agreed by Oceana to load the equipments.  The ballroom was being used by one of their regular promoters for a Rap Album Release party. (Shame).

Again Kompa Guide and Creole TV-NYC  thank everyone who supported the event and send their deepest apologies to those who were inconvenienced.  But rest assured, the public and the musicians have all requested to promote the Kompa Legends at another venue in the near future.  Stay tuned for further announcements!

A press conference will be held at Brasserie Creole on Friday October 28 at 7pm.  We urge you to attend in order to view all documents, contracts and payments.

Night of Passion Gala was a Great Success - By NJ Chapter of AMHE

The Night of Passion was a Success Sunday, June 12, 2011  by the NJ Chapter of AMHE

The older guests, aged between 76 and 106, gave up immediately after dinner, at around 11:00 p.m.  One hour of cocktail party, with Caribbean Splash, followed by two hours of a dinner-show were rich and intense enough; they turned breathless.    The middle-aged guests, 25 to 75, lasted until 2:00 a.m.; they navigated between two dance floors, and danced their hearts out.     The less-than-24 are still partying, at the time of this writing, at the Plaza. They count to continue partying non-stop until next year, until next year's CulturaGanza.   It was Saturday night, at the majestic Crowne Plaza Meadowlands Hotel, in Secaucus, New Jersey.  It was CulturaGanza 2011, an unrestrained display of class, performance, elegance and joie de vivre.  This annual rendez-vous, for all beautiful people, of all races and creeds, between the ages of 16 and 106, set by the NJ Chapter of the Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad (AMHE-NJ) has become the end-of-spring hallmark, the great event, for all souls in search of a good night out, a five-course dinner, a program and an ambiance found nowhere else. It is date night; it is family night.   The event of a capacity of 420 seats, sold its 402nd, the night before the party. The menacing rain did not discourage a single guest. Long lines at the Crystal Room's cocktail party and on the red carpet picture-taking station were proof thereof.   Caribbean Splash was clearly one cut above. They animated the early evening hour with a compendium of reggae, calypso, and soca. Lady Gaga, the impersonator, joined the party. It was a riot. A short one though, since at 9:00 p.m., the crowd had to move to the Imperial Ballroom. It was a relative swift move, on the red carpet. The guests were welcome by the singers and drum players of the Arc-en-Ciel Dance Company.   By 9:17, Dr. Reynald Altema had eloquently made sense of the event and given directions to the guests. He emphasized one of the pet projects of the AMHE-NJ Chapter, a new school geared toward preparing the leaders of tomorrow's Haiti. Shirley Crabbe, introduced by the master of ceremony, Dr. Pierre Ronald Leger, saluted the audience with an Aria song. Moving. Excellent. Dr. Margaret Olibrice Saint Fleur, in her well delivered State of the Chapter's Address, underlined the achievements of her first two years at the helm of the Chapter, and set her goals and novel hopes for her second term.   During dinner, the audience appreciated Lady Gaga (in Born this Way, etc,) Gia al Qamar, the belly dancer, and mostly the Arc-en-Ciel Dance Company, in a multi-part Afro-Caribbean folkloric performance.   Concomitantly, three awards were presented. Dr. Eddy Simon received the Physician of the Year Award. Ms. Yve-Car Monperousse was bestowed upon the Community Award. Dr. Judith Banks, who has done great work in Haiti, deserved the 2011 Solidarity Award.   In the lobby, all night, several vendors displayed their merchandises, along side the Passion photo-booth. At 1:00 a.m, the raffle for a trip for two, anywhere in the Caribbean or Central America, offered by Continental Airlines, took place, and made one happy winner among the Jamaican guests.   At 11:10, DJ Rudy invited the attendance to conquer the dance floor in a one-hour round of international dance party. At 12:10, the international dance party moved to the AMHE Metro Club outfitted in the Crystal Room, while Ti Kabzy, the smash compas band from Montreal, entertained the avid revelers, in the Imperial Ballroom, until 2:00 am. They close the night with the Auld Lang Syne (Ce N'est Qu'un Au Revoir).   Many guest were still in the lobby at 3:00 a.m., taking pictures, reconnecting with old friends.    By selling out the gala, and filling out all the pages of the Souvenir Ad Journal, the New Jersey Chapter of the AMHE has reached its fund-raising goals. The members of the Executive Committee melt in thanks to all of you who so wholeheartedly support their humanitarian causes, year in and year out. They thank you for your contribution, your presence, or both.   The next CulturaGanza is on June 9, 2012, at the Crowne Plaza Meadowlands in Secaucus. It will start at 8:00 p.m. sharp. Just be there!   AMHE- NJ Chapter Public Relations Visit Web Site: www.amhenj.org

CLICK HERE TO SEE  PORTRAITS FROM THE RED CARPET

Lisa Drouillard, Miss Teen NY, to Compete for Miss Teen USA

She's the pride of Flatbush - and could be the first Miss Teen USA to hail from New York in nearly 30 years.

Lisa Drouillard, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, was crowned Miss Teen New York in November and is hoping to be crowned national beauty champ in July.

"I feel like I've been living my dream every day," said Drouillard, 19, a St. Francis of Assisi High School grad.

"I feel like I haven't gotten there yet but I do know that I inspire every child in my neighborhood."

Drouillard - the daughter of a public school teacher and a nutritionist - grew up in the same house on Winthrop St. where she lives today with her parents and three older brothers.

Since winning the New York title in November, she has become the talk of the neighborhood - and a point of pride for Haitian immigrants desperate for good news after last year's earthquake.

"The earthquake traumatized everyone, whether they are living in Haiti or New York," said City Councilman Mathieu Eugene (D-Flatbush).

"To see that young lady succeed and become who she is is a remarkable thing and it's a very strong and powerful message for the young Haitian people."

A freshman at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Drouillard has been speaking at local schools and preparing for the national competition in the Bahamas.

"I have a sense of pride being Haitian," said Drouillard, whose mother came to New York as a child and whose father arrived in 1985.

"I'm proud of myself because I'm going to college, I'm being successful...and that's very touching to me."

Drouillard's dad, Gene, and her mom, Yolanda, said they couldn't be prouder of their only daughter, who has been modeling and entering pageants since she was 14.

"I told her to go for it, to follow her heart," said Gene, 55, a Kings County Hospital employee who enrolled his daughter in the Barbizon School of Modeling in Manhattan.

Some immigrant parents, he said, "want you to be a lawyer, a doctor or stuff like that, but we just want our kids to be happy."

Yolanda, 51, a sixth-grade teacher at Public School 189, said her students - who are mostly Haitian - ask about her daughter every day.

"All my teacher friends do, too," she said. "They say, 'She's going to make it! She's going to make it!'"

To rank Drouillard's Miss Teen New York profile, visit

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Nu System Grand Premiere - Sat. Nov. 20, 2010

This past Saturday, we were invited to attend the grand premiere of  Nu-System. Practically, a system band formed by most of the original System band musicians. What we saw was practically a revamped System band without their long time star Isnard Doubie. Explanation from the management of Nu-System to be provided below.

The Event was well organised and attended. The banquet room at the Adria hotel was close to full seating capacity. The $60 admission price included a Cocktail hour, Complete Buffet dinner and Open bar.

The Band made its grand entrance at 11:30 pm, as RockMaster was called upon to make the initial introduction. It was a pretty grandiose entrance as the band dressed in matching outfit entered the room to standing ovation by the public. Then the formal introduction by Roupie before the Band performance started. Two things were unique with the Nu-System presentation. The event started on time with the cocktail hour then the band was on stage as scheduled. Also the appearance of the band with white silk Shirts during the 1st half and returning with red & white (Compas Direct colors) after the break looked impressive. As one guest commented it looked like a Tropicana/Septen style of appearance. Something which can only seen as a compliment.

From comments that  I could hear by konpa critics in attendance and the public in general, there was a universal satisfaction of the bands performance. "Jaz la te sonnin bien".

Here are a few pictures and video from the grand premiere. Comments about the reasons behind the birth of Nu System will be posted below.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Comments from Nu-System management

Now for the reason that there is the split among the founders of the band after 34 years-
I will be fully reporting the statements of Defacto, who is part of the new management of the band. But his initial comments over the phone were as follow:

The musicians of the band had a meeting and taken a vote to dismiss the previous manager of the band. They were not happy with his performance as their manager recently. Supposedly Maestro Isnard Doubie did not attend the meeting and when he was informed of the decisions of the band members, he mentioned that he was not aware of the meeting did not agree with the decision. According to Defacto, the band members wanted him on their side.  But his decision was to side with the prior manager. Supposedly the musicians were disappointed and felt that Doubie was letting them down, so they decided to go ahead without him with the new name for the band "Nu-System".

Again this is from a short phone conversation I had with Defacto. I will get more details and also bring you Maestro Doubie's side of the story.

You are welcomed to leave  comments below. Just use a unique name when commenting.

U-Turn Rehearsal Session - Band ready for comeback?

U-TURN Band seems to be TURNing a new corner with this rehearsal session that they posted on a forum. Check out the video. The bands looks strong with the addition of new singer. U-turn has gone thru many changes, but this time it looks like they got the right chemistry. If this rehearsal session is a preview of what their live performances will be. Then the band may have a solid future.

Zin Delivered Big Time at Zouk'N Zin Friday S- Martine Marseille was a big hit.

Last Friday April 30, 2010 was the grand premiere of Zouk'N Zin Fridays. 
A new Concept in weekly event mixing the popularity of Zouk with Live Kompa.


That day was the comeback of Zin after a period of inactivity in the NY scene. Many wondered if Zin would  be able to motivate the crowd like the old days with the absence of many of its original members, mainly Alan Cave. Would Polo, the most recent singer be able to rise up to the occasion as the only singer on the front line? Will there be some Surprise female singer? etc.

The answer is that Zin did it big time. Even though the repertoire was mostly made of the traditional Zin songs, the delivery was different and new flavors were added to the old recepies. Polo was at his best and delivered brillantly, maybe his best performance so far. One can see that the band rehearsed seriously to deliver this performance. Polo expressed  his respect for Alan Cave, whom Polo said he learned a lot from and was proud to follow in his footstep. He then performed one the trademark song of Alan Cave to standing ovation.


The public responded big time to the calling. The traditional Zin Ladies were present in full force looking their best and showing that the love is still there for the band traditionaly known as the Hit music Factory. We're still waiting for Zin to release their new compositions to the public, but we are confident that it willl happen soon at Zouk'N Zin Fridays.

The Guest artist for the night was a relatively new and unknown vocalist named Martine Marseille. RockMasters Ent. had a chance to see her perform brillantly at Ayiti Deploge. So we invited her to be the guest artist for the grand premiere of Zouk'N Zin Fridays. She was a little nervous about the offer to stand in front of the demanding Zin public, where divas like Georgie, Nia, Sandra, etc. have made a name for themselves.  Actually I learned from talking to her the next morning that it was her first performance in front of a band.
Well, you could not tell  that from waching her deliver. From the moment she started singing, she took full control of the stage and the public. Little by little people were leaving their seats  to stand in front of the stage to watch, listen and applaud. Extremely good vocal and stage presence. Real sexy looking to. Congratulations Martine.

Half time performance was by the one and only master of the Zouk, DJ Stakz of Hi-Profyle Ent. Nothing needs to be said about DJ Stakz. If you do not know what I am talking about, just be at Zouk'N Zin next Friday May 7. DJ Stakz on the Zouk will open the night.

For next Friday, we have another big show for you. This time we bring you the famous "Spoken Word" groups out of Haiti named 'TPS'. If you have not seen these youngsters before, then you're in for the shock of your life. I've seen them bring the house down twice at Ayit Deploge. So get ready for the TPS experience 


- SO FELLOWS COME ON; TREAT THE BEAUTIFUL ZOUK'N ZIN LADIES WITH CLASS, DRINKS AND DANCES.


UPDATE: (TPS HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED AND WILL APPEAR ON JUNE 11)


Pictures of TPS at Ayiti Deploge - Catch them Live on Zouk'N Zin