Description: This playlist is dedicated to the artist Julio Racine, focusing on his influences and artists with similar styles. Julio Racine, a conductor and composer, was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He is renowned for his contributions to Haitian classical and folkloric music, blending traditional Haitian rhythms and melodies with classical music forms. Additionally, he is a skilled flutist and has worked diligently to preserve and promote Haiti’s musical heritage through his compositions and performances. Julio Racine received his musical education at the National Conservatory of Haiti and the University of Louisville School of Music. He later served as the director and conductor of the Holy Trinity Philharmonic Orchestra from 1963 to 2008. This orchestra is affiliated with the École de Musique Saint Trinité, Haiti's leading music school, which was unfortunately destroyed in 2010 by an earthquake.
Playlist
Our first track is third movement of Julio Racine's "Voodoo Jazz Sonata for Flute and Piano," titled "Avec Allure," was published in 2004. In this sonata, the flute delivers expressive melodies, transitioning between smooth and jazzy phrases, while the piano provides rhythmic support and rich harmonies. Racine combines traditional Vodou beats with syncopated jazz rhythms, resulting in a lively and energetic atmosphere. The music is characterized by its vitality and grace, which align with its title, meaning "With Style." It showcases a unique blend of cultural and musical influences.
Our next track is "And the Glory of the Lord (Messiah, HWV 56)" performed by the Holy Trinity Philharmonic Orchestra along with the Les Petit Chanteurs (the little singers) during a Christmas event. This track was added to the playlist because Racine was once a conductor for this orchestra, though he isn't the conductor for this particular performance. "And the Glory of the Lord" from Handel’s Messiah is an energetic chorus filled with rich harmonies. It features bold, ascending melodies and rhythms that convey a sense of majesty. The choir sings in a straightforward style, highlighting the text about divine glory with dynamic contrasts.
Our third track is the Les Petit Chateurs from the École de Musique Saint Trinité performing 'Mesi Bon Dye' (Thank You, Good God) . I chose this track because the music school is closely associated with the Holy Trinity Philharmonic Orchestra. Additionally, this particular song holds significance in Haitian culture and is often performed at religious gatherings and celebrations. The choir comprises children aged between 8-15, and their impressive performance highlights why École de Musique Saint Trinité is considered Haiti's top music school.
The fourth track on our playlist is "Offrandes Vodouesques" by Werner Jaegerhuber, a classical piece inspired by Haitian Vodou rituals. It features lively, syncopated rhythms that mimic ceremonial drumming, creating a spiritual and rhythmic energy. The melodies are drawn from Haitian folk music, using traditional scales and chants, while the harmonies blend Western classical and Haitian styles. Jaegerhuber's style is very similar to Racine's, as they both took inspiration from the same sources and . The wonderful singer is Changal Levine and the piano is being played by David Bontemps.
Our fifth track is called "Legba Nan Baye" by Paul Austerlitz. Paul Austerlitz is an ethnomusicologist who has written several books on understanding, celebrating, and preserving music from different cultures. One of his books, "Jazz Consciousness: Music, Race, and Humanity," mentions Racine as an inspiration to him. The song draws heavily on Haitian rhythmic patterns associated with Vodou rites, especially those connected to Legba, the loa (spirit) who serves as the gatekeeper between the spiritual and earthly realms. Austerlitz’s bass clarinet leads with improvisational flair, while traditional drums and percussion deepen the spiritual connection. The music evokes a ceremonial atmosphere, gradually intensifying as it captures the ritualistic and improvisational elements of both Vodou and jazz traditions.
Our final track is "Papa Legba" by M. Nerval. This song is a traditional vodou song that also references the deity Legba. I included this song because I wanted everyone to experience the sounds of classic vodou and Haitian music that inspired Racine. The song prominently features the tanbou drums, which provide the rhythmic backbone of the piece. Accompanying these are rattle instruments like the asson (Haitian Rattle) and possibly cymbals, creating a complex rhythm that evokes the spirit of Vodou rituals. The song also features call-and-response vocals.
Bibliography
Julio Racine. Crossing Borders Music. (n.d.). https://crossingbordersmusic.org/explore-the-music/haiti/julio-racine/#:~:text=Julio%20Racine%20is%20a%20flutist,of%20Louisville%20School%20of%20Music
LeGrand, C.G. C. (2019). Tour de Force: A Musical Journey of the Caribbean. Sound Caribbean. https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9789769624900.
Paul Austerlitz ~ about Paul Austerlitz. (n.d.). https://www.paulausterlitz.org/About.shtml
Wikimedia Foundation. (2024a, April 27). Werner Jaegerhuber. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_Jaegerhuber
Wikimedia Foundation. (2024b, September 7). Papa Legba. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papa_Legba
Wikimedia Foundation. (2024c, October 5). Haitian Vodou. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haitian_Vodou
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