Immense is the melancholy that gnaws the hearts of fans of Shupa-Shupa and Fantaisistes de Carrefour when they learn of the departure of their venerated Gatien Désir a few days after the death knell has sounded for Carmin Bichotte. It seems that each time an artist of our generation leaves us for the afterlife, a little of us goes with him.
According to word-of-mouth, after his primary studies at the Darius Denis school, Gatien continued his secondary studies at the Lycée Anténor Firmin. Indeed, it was in high school that he became acquainted with Carmin Bichotte, a classmate and Ansy Derose, a drawing and Spanish teacher. Over the years, we have seen that the relationship between the teacher and the students reached its peak so that in 1970-1971, they performed together in Guadeloupe and Martinique where they recorded several records. Subsequently, he lived in the United States in Spring Valley NY, Valley Cottage, NY and Port Saint Lucie, Miami where he breathed his last; he had four children.
Gatien is with Fresnel Louis the original singers of Shupa Shupa, a musical group founded in 1969 under the direction of Lionel Dorlette, saxophonist, maestro. In 1970, the young mini-jazz released his first record titled ‘Surboum Vacances En Haiti’, a record in which Gatien did better than usual. With hits like ‘Epoque Chaleur, Yanick, Pardon Uncertain, Haiti, Mama, Gatien became a rising star. When Rico Mazarin left for the United States, Carmin sent him for a training session. Thus, at the end of 1970, Gatien played on stage with Sergo on bass guitar, Weber Toussaint, second guitar, Schiller Louis, solo guitar, Yves Fils (Yvon Pointu) on drum, Emile Romain, timpani, Peru, percussions and Carmin Bichotte, saxophonist, maestro. Gatien really liked ‘Les Fantaisistes’.
Partial Discography Of Gatien Désir
Disc Name ouCD Label Reference Number Release Date
Surboum Vacances En Haiti IBO LP 148 1969
Les Fantaisistes D’Haiti RGG LP 10001 1970
Les Fantaisistes De Carrefour CELINI LP 112 1970
Les Fantaisistes De Carrefour Mini Records MRSD-1235 1999
Les Fantaisistes De Carrefour Mini Records MRSD 1236 1999
Les Fantaisistes D’Haiti Unknown Unknown 2000
During his journey with “Les Fantaisistes”, he remained a faithful friend of the maestro and displayed a sincere and courageous solidarity. Success, he had quite a few. In addition, Pardon Uncertain, Époque Chaleur, Yanick with Shupa Shupa and Lydia, Baby, Souvenir D’Enfance, Yolène with “Les Fantaisistes” are legendary songs. During his career, he aroused the enthusiasm and admiration of several generations.
