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A familiar voice rises from the quay of the Hôtel de la Collectivité territoriale. Equally familiar sounds and rhythms accompany it. "I heard the music from the other side of Gustavia and came," smiles one of the few spectators. On this late morning of Tuesday December 30, a handful of people have rushed to the stage the stage set up under the Collectivité's windows, irresistibly drawn by the music of a group that's instantly recognizable: that of the group Kassav'.
On stage, the artists revise their classics while the technicians make their adjustments. The laughter is infectious, and the pleasure and passion are palpable. Even during the most relaxed of rehearsals. And the famous voice that captivated the strollers was none other than that of Jocelyne Béroard. "The voice of zouk", says one admirer.
The rehearsal comes to an end. Jocelyne Béroard leaves the stage with a smile on her face. She's hungry (it's after 1 p.m.) but stops for a few minutes to pose with fans. But she never loses her smile. Settling into a cool spot, she sits down on a small sofa in the Collectivité hotel. We meet the woman who, for over forty years, has been "the voice of zouk".
Kassav' performed in Saint-Barth in 1996 and 2014, but have there been any other visits?
"I think we came before 1996. We'd just released Siwo, in December '86, so we must have come in '87. This is the fourth time we've come!"
What are your memories of the Saint-Barth crowd?
It's an extremely warm crowd. Every time, it's like the whole island is there! I think people are happy when bands come from outside the island. It's the same with us. When bands we like come, we're happy.
Is playing for a New Year's concert something special?
Yes. Initially, I said that I didn't want to do any more concerts on December 31st, that I'd be left alone and stay with my family! (Laughs) But since Saint-Barth is so close to home, we figured why not. Besides, it's a completely festive time of year. In fact, the sheer number of yachts here is impressive! Such extravagance! It's the first time we've been here for the festive season and it's a real discovery. We'd heard about it, but it's impressive to see.
Kassav' is a legendary group that still gets people singing and dancing all over the world. What keeps you going today?
I think what makes us want to get back on stage is the demand from the public. Kassav' has a kind of energy about it. Then there was Covid, and the death of Jacob (Desvarieux), so we went through a period of latency. When we got back on stage, we had such a desire to bring this music to life... For Jacob already, who is the central pillar of the group. So it was essential for us to come back with the same enthusiasm and the same love of music. And with young people too! There's a transmission, a passing on of the baton. As the elders of the group, we know very well that in two or three years' time, we'll be staying at home a bit more. No ? We'll see! (Laughs) The main thing is that we love being on stage. We like to share these moments with the audience, and they give us a lot back. In general, people are happy and tell us they've had a good time, and that's all we want. We need people to come together. There are so many problems of division and violence in the world, that these moments of sharing and love are necessary. In a way, that's what music is for. To bring people together and put a smile on their faces.
You'll be "sharing" the stage with Kalash, Gums and other artists. How do you approach an evening close to a festival?
We're used to festivals. These days, there are a lot of DJs everywhere, and they use our music a lot (small smile). You have to please everyone. When you see all the boats, you know they're not local people. So it gives us a wider range of music in the Caribbean. We're very small islands, but we have a musical strength that others shouldn't ignore. It makes you realize that the Caribbean is here too!
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The New Year's concert program
The line-up for the New Year's concert is extremely diverse. The Collectivité territoriale's culture commission has chosen to immerse the audience in a Caribbean atmosphere, whose presence on the island is dwindling. The program is as follows
- 8pm - Sinner G
- 9pm - Gums
- 10:30pm - Kassav'
- Midnight - Fireworks
- 00h30 - Kalash
- 01:30am - The Blondies
(Duo of DJ Hanna Machete and DJ Shawty)
The evening will be hosted by the energetic Guadeloupean presenter Himuss.
