Comedian - Haiti Observer Blog

Maurice Alfrédo Sixto, one of the biggest names in Haitian literature, was the son of an engineer Maurice Alfredo Sixto (father and son bears the same name) was born on 23 May 1919 in Gonaives, Haiti. He was a man of many colors-- a professor, ambassador, translator, tour guide, reporter are some of them to name a few. He will be remembered for his immense contribution in Haitian Creole language that took Haitian culture to a glorious stature. His father was a rich man.

In his childhood, Maurice Sixto attended the most prestigious school (Saint Louis de Gonzague), after completing high school lessons, he studied at Haitian Military Academy for a couple of months and joined for law courses. While studying his law course, he worked as a news reporter and a radio presenter. Thereafter his career took new turns and he worked as an English teacher in Republic of Congo. He left Congo in 1969 and decided to settle in Paris and work as Haitian diplomat in France.

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Haitian stand-up comedian Lamour E. Laguerre gained his popularity under Tom Male and Manmi Prela

who goes by the stage name of Tom Male, is a beloved figure in Haitian comedy, not only by his fans, but also his colleagues. Born with a funny-bone, Laguerre incited his family and friends to fits of laughter whenever he was around. He was, not surprisingly, named the funniest boy in his class at school.

TOM MALE IN BRASSERIE CREOLE:

After high-school Tom Male began working the comedy circuit, amassing legions of fans and attracting the attention of Boston entertainment manager and record producer, Marc Sam Dalzon. Dalzon saw Laguerre's potential and became his agent. With Dalzon's support, Laguerre began auditioning for TV comedy roles, achieving success, and building a resume of TV, film, recording, and commercial vice-over credits. Dalzon, who owns a record company, marketed Laguerre aggressively. He made several original recordings, a release of cover material, compilations, and a best-of CD.

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Jean-Claude Joseph, aka Papa Pye, is considered a member of the few that make up "Original Kings of Comedy". A native of Petion-Ville, he lived in Bas-Peu-Chose and Carrefour also. As a foster child, he was fathered by an educated man, who taught at Toussaint and Pere Adrien colleges, where Joseph went to class with former Haitian President Paul E. Magloire.

Jean-Claude Joseph, aka Papa Pye became popular in the 1980s when he starred in the comedy series "La Vie Nan Bouk La", modeled on the U.S. comedy series "Sanford and Son". When he left the series, his comic absence was mourned by viewers. He went onto a successful film career, starring in the horror movie "Fly People" and two dozen other starring vehicles.

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Daniel Fils-Aimé, aka Tonton Bicha, was born in 1973 in the town of Cap-Haitien. As a boy, he joined Young Catholic Patriots Company where he developed his comedic timing. A handsome, young, and refined man of 32 offstage, he is a human cannonball onstage. His character, Tonton Bicha, is a 72 year-old farmer, who dresses in natty peasant attire, and sports white bushy eyebrows and a mustache.

He walks onstage spouting his trademark lines in Créole. A born clown, he is kinetic and juvenile, his jokes side-splitting. The audience's roaring laughter eggs him on with more ridiculous behavior that has people nearly falling out of their seats. In one bit, he strips down to his shorts and struts and poses like he is the sexiest man alive. He easily outshines other comedians on the bill. But it is hard to resent him when they are doubled-over with laughter.

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Fernel "Jesifra" Valcourt is a Haitian-comedian legend. Born in Cap-Haitien, he began training in the performing arts at an early age, and recognition for his theatre work catapulted him to national prominence soon. He has been so revered for his natural talents, Tonton Bicha regards him as a motivating force that drove him to seek a career in comedy.

Valcourt's humor strikes a universal chord, and has made him a celebrated figure among the Haitian Diaspora and younger people as well. His comedy is slapstick-based, and he engages in sly risqué jokes that have audiences laughing knowingly. He uses his stage persona, Jesifra, to delight and take jabs at authority figures like President Martelly. His trademark sound bites have the audience laughing before he even gets to the punchline.

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Kako Bourjolly is one of Haiti's top comedians, whose show, Kako's Bingo Night, is one of the most popular acts on the comedy-club scene. People think he is an overnight sensation, but he has been performing as a comic for the last 20 years.

In the beginning, he founded a comedy troupe with three other comedians and experienced his first taste of success. Every single show they performed at sold out. The demand to see Kako grew so strong; a second show had to be added. He recalls the only reason he didn't become well-known in the States was because he only performed part-time, too busy with his day job to devote more time. Kako though finally decided to take the leap into comedy full-time. And he has succeeded beyond his wildest dreams, Kako's Bingo Night being the proof.

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