Death of Patrick Saint-Elie, former percussionist of the group Kassav'

Percussionist Patrick Saint-Elie, known for having been a member of the group Kassav' for around twenty years, died on Wednesday December 11, reports Radio Caribbean International (RCI). The Martinican musician died of a long illness at the age of 63.

« Yesterday afternoon he bowed out and flew into this world where we all must one day pass », declared Josélita Germany, guardian of the tradition of Chouval Bwa (a Martinican musical genre) with RCIwho met the artist in the 1980s. We started out together. And really, after that, he flew away. He continued his musical career with big groups. And after his return, we were very touched to know that his health had deteriorated. We are very affected and during all these last weeks, we accompanied him and we did not have much hope. We could already see the face a little from the other side. I said to Claude Germany, my husband: will he last until Christmas? “, she added.

« For me, he was someone who had incredible talent and who didn't go to great schools, but it was in his genes, in fact. It was in him. And that, I believe that Martinique is losing a pillar of this strike and especially in the area of ​​this tradition, this chouval bwa rhythm “, she remembers. Guadeloupean bassist Thierry Fanfant also paid tribute to him. “ My dear Patrick, I keep beautiful things from you. When we first met, in the 90s, you impressed me a lot in the studio, in Martinique, with your playing, your culture, your groove and your precision. I was also blessed by your wisdom, your calm and your kindness. When I joined Kassav on a tour of Africa, we got to know each other even better “, he wrote on Facebook.

Figure of the zouk

Born on November 7, 1961 in Fort-de-France, Patrick Saint-Elie began playing percussion at the age of 3. At eleven years old, he joined the “ Baby Boys », within the Adventist local of Rosière. Then he co-founded the Toumpak group in the 1970s. But it was in 1995 that his career exploded, joining the Kassav', fifteen years after its formation, to replace César Durcin, recalls FranceTV. Made up of Pierre-Edouard Decimus, Freddy Marshall, Jacob Desvarieux and Jocelyne Béroard, the group is characterized by its gwo ka style, Guadeloupean music which uses drums, indicates BFM. Patrick Saint-Elie became a central and much appreciated figure of Kassav', before leaving the group in 2015.

He has worked with many artists such as Hugh Charlec, Marcé and Palaviré. His talents allowed him to contribute to the international growth of zouk. But the artist also found himself at the forefront of the theater scene, having participated in No to Apartheid by Josy Michalon and Mari-Whale. In 2020, a tribute concert was organized at the Grand Carbet du Parc Floral on the occasion of his birthday. This was also broadcast live on Martinique La 1ère.