INFORMATION
| Artist Birtday : | 03/11/1940(Age 85) |
| Born In : | Haiti/Long Island New York |
| Genres : | Konpa |
Richard Duroseau didn’t just stumble into music, he was born into it. A child of a legendary Haitian musical dynasty, Richard arrived on the scene with talent so natural it felt inherited. His father, Emmanuel Duroseau, was the elder brother of the renowned Lyncée Duroseau, as well as Fabre and Arthur, the latter being the father of the virtuoso Jacky. Emmanuel himself was no ordinary musician. In addition to his skills on the keyboard, he crafted pianos, violins, and double basses by hand, supplying Haiti’s musicians at a time when importing instruments was banned by U.S. occupation authorities.
Raised in this environment, Richard was surrounded by music from the earliest age. His brothers, Mozart and Kreutzer, were young prodigies who played in the Orchester des Casernes Dessalines, a military band formed under General Paul Magloire. It was through these brothers that little Richard first encountered the accordion, a bond so strong that when Mozart once forgot to bring it home from rehearsals, the boy reportedly burst into uncontrollable tears until it was returned to him.
That incident was more than just a childhood tantrum. It was a glimpse of a prodigy in the making. Nemours Jean-Baptiste, creator of the konpa genre, took notice. After Mozart left the band due to a dispute with Webert Sicot, Nemours considered replacing him with young Richard, who had already impressed him. What started as a bold suggestion turned into reality. Richard joined the Ensemble Nemours Jean-Baptiste while still in his teens, becoming a sensation on the accordion and a key figure in the rise of konpa dirèk.
Dubbed one of the “Three Dangers” alongside Nemours and Raymond Gaspard, Richard brought an orchestral elegance to the accordion, playing with a blend of agility, simplicity, and emotion. His improvisational flair and ability to seamlessly change tempos made him a standout keyboardist and soloist. But he was as unpredictable as he was brilliant. Though immensely talented, his rebellious nature often caused headaches for his bandmates. It all came to a head when he publicly cursed Madame Marini, the owner of the legendary Cabane Choucoune, forcing even Nemours to reconsider the value of his star player. After tense negotiations, Richard was reinstated, but the relationship never fully recovered. Eventually, the inevitable happened—he left the group.
Following his departure, Richard found his way into several bands, including the “Sublime” group of Carrefour-Feuilles, replacing maestro F. Massac. He later moved to the French Antilles, where he became a sensation in Martinique and Guadeloupe. Despite being adored and offered celebrity status, nostalgia pulled him back. With guidance from fellow musician Michel Desgrottes, he returned to New York.
There, he collaborated with Raymond Sicot and helped form the “Duroseau Brothers,” a pioneering Haitian group in New York that featured family members Kreutzer, Tilou, Mozart, Frank, and others. Latin bands also sought him out, remembering his unforgettable performances during tours with Nemours. He played at venues like Casa Borinquen and Casa Caribe, where he had once wowed audiences as a teenager.
Though his journey took him through various short-lived musical ventures, including a stint with Jazz des Jeunes in New York, life eventually called him to a more stable path. With a young family to support, he worked for Steinway, the famed piano manufacturer, as a tuner. But the job didn’t suit his spirit. He left the factory and returned to performing, forming a small combo that played in restaurants around Brooklyn and Queens. He later became a member of Mini All Stars and served as the pianist for Ska-Shah #1.
Over time, his contributions were recognized. In 1999, Pipo Lavelanet’s “Antilles Mizik” honored him at the “Konpa Fèt” festival at Brooklyn College. In 2007, the Françoise Canez Auguste Foundation in Haiti paid tribute to him as well. For many in the diaspora and at home, Richard Duroseau is not just a musician but a living monument.
Now in the twilight of his career, weakened by illness and age, Richard is still revered. He remains in demand for his deep musical knowledge, sharp arranging skills, and the signature touch that helped define an era of Haitian music. His story is one of brilliance, resilience, and a bit of chaos—but above all, it’s a story of legacy. Richard Duroseau didn’t just inherit a musical name, he lived it, expanded it, and forever etched it into Haiti’s cultural memory.
