The Martinican Roger François, organizer of balls and owner of the “Terpsichora”, has died

The artistic world is in mourning following the disappearance of the evening organizer, Sainte-Luce François, last Saturday November 23. Nicknamed “Roger”, he was also the owner of the famous “Terpsichora” dance hall.

This large ballroom located between Lamentin and Robert has seen a parade of great Caribbean and West Indian artists. Among them, Martinican singer Ralph Thamar.

Roger François was a tireless defender from the 70 glorious years of the idea that Martinique absolutely had to be of this migan regenerating throughout the Caribbean and the Antilles (small and large). He put all his energy, his will and his skills at the service of this idea. He was of this breed of entrepreneurs like Brival, Nicole and others. I remember his “Terpsichora” where I did my constructive and enriching “humanities” and benefited from lectures given by distinguished professors from all over the region (El Gran Combo, Tommy Olivencia, Nemours Jean-Baptiste, Sparrow, Johnny Pacheco, etc.).

I cannot forget the stage open to the students that we were in groups whose names are now part of history… Perfecta, Gentleman, Malavoi… in front of an audience that was always large, enthusiastic and well behaved. Only one thing needs to be said: respect and thanks to Roger. I am forever grateful.

Ralph Thamar

(singer of the group Malavoi)

For the trombonist, author, composer, singer and conductor, Guy Vadeleux, it is “a great man who is leaving”.

He was very kind. I knew him at the time of Pierre Blain's Haitian group with which I played and he was the impresario manager. He is someone I have always admired for his simplicity and kindness. For the record, it was he who first gave me a steering wheel to hold to learn to drive. May God keep you and have a good trip Roger.

Roger François began his professional career in the automotive industry. He was first a taxi driver, then a salesman in a large dealership, before occupying the position of sales director.

Thanks to his natural charisma, he was later approached by a major German brand for the same position. Roger François will even be received at the head office from the manufacturer in Germany.

And then there is music, of which he was a linchpin by organizing balls, first in a small hut called “Wikiki”, before the creation of the famous “Terpsichora” which became a temple of music, with up to 45 employees.

In collaboration with other producers of evenings and shows such as Michel Nicole, Mico du New Land in Guadeloupe and Danny Play in Guyana, Roger and these entrepreneurs succeeded in creating a “circuit” which allowed the groups of the time to produce on long tours in the Antilles-Guyana.

The Terpsichora

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©Miguel Octave

And then Roger François was also the father of a no less well-known musician, who at a very young age was immersed in this artistic atmosphere, which he greatly absorbed before launching his career. This is Jean-Michel Cabrimol.

I had the chance to see the epic “Terpsichora”, with Oscar D'León, Chéo Feliciano, the Ryco Jazz, Marius Cultier, la Perfecta, the Léopards, Malavoi, E+, Steel Jazz, Puissance 8, the brothers Déjean, Tabou Combo, Magnum Band… This vision of my father allowed me to have roots, to see, to listen and to know the problems of orchestras. It was a legendary place. (…). My father also loved geopolitics. He was friends with Jacques Chirac. He paid the price, moreover, since he was forced to close his establishment at one point, a disappointment which marked him until his death. The entire family has lost someone remarkable. My father was human and close to people.

Jean Michel Cabrimol,

(author, composer, drummer and leader of the La Mafia orchestra)

The singer of the leopards and the Mafia Michel Thimon knew Roger François

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©Daniel BETIS

The funeral of Roger François will be celebrated this Tuesday, November 26 at the Bellevue church in Fort-de-Fance, before his burial in the Lorrain cemetery.