Boukman Eksperyans

Boukman Eksperyans
Theodore Lolo Beabrun, Lead Singer
Background information
Origin	Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Genres	Mizik rasin
Years active	1978–present
Labels	Mango Records Island Records Tuff Gong International Converge Records
Members	Theodore "Lòlò" Beabrun, Lead Singer Mimerose "Manzè" Beaubrun, Lead Singer Gary Seney, Percusionist Henry Pierre Joseph, Percussionist Hans "Bwa Gris" Dominique, Percussionist Maquel Jean Baptiste, Guitar Jean Lourdy Coiscou, Keyboards Willy Calixte, Bass Guitar Raymond "Samba Drol" Lexis, Percussionist Ted Gabriel Beaubrun, Tanbou/Artistic Director Gerald Alfred, Guitar Michel Melthon Lynch, Bass guitar Natacha Massillon, Backup vocals Louis "Toto" Eliphète, Percussionist Moliere "Moali"Calice, Percussions/Drums Johanne Dejean, "Dancer" Johanne Colas, "Dancer"

Boukman Eksperyans (English: Boukman Experience) is a mizik rasin band from the city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Grammy nominated for their debut album Vodou Adjae. The band derives its name from Dutty Boukman, a vodou priest who led a religious ceremony in 1791 that is widely considered the start of the Haitian Revolution. The other half of the band's name, "Eksperyans", is the Kreyòl word for "experience", and was inspired by the band's appreciation of the music of Jimi Hendrix. The band was at the height of its popularity in 1991 when the presidency of Jean Bertrand Aristide was overthrown in a military coup d'etat. Like many other artists and performers, Boukman Eksperyans fled the country to live in exile. During their time abroad, the band performed and spoke out against the military dictatorship of Raoul Cédras. In 1994, after Aristide was restored to power, the band returned to Haiti, where they continued to play concerts, record albums, and perform at the Carnival celebrations.

Boukman Eksperyans was founded in 1978 by Theodore "Lolo" Beaubrun and his sister Marjorie 'Nola' Beabrun and Daniel 'Dadi' Beaubrun and Mimerose Beaubrun and members of various groups who launched the mizik rasin revolution in Haiti in the late 1970s. One of these groups was led by Fanfan Alexis, and included the future musicians of such groups as Group Sa, Foula, and Rara Machine. Beaubrun's father was a comedian and was often referred to as the Bill Cosby of Haiti.Theodore Beaubrun (Languichatte Debordus) While on tour in the United States, he brought back a James Brown LP which left a lasting impression on young Lolo. After his parents divorced, he followed his mother to Brooklyn, New York. In the United States, he studied two years of Business Administration.