Dadou Pasquet, legendary Haitian musician and Konpa champion, dies at 72

PORT-AU-PRINCE — André “Dadou” Pasquet, a renowned Haitian guitarist, singer and founder of Magnum Band, died in Miami, Florida, on Nov. 23 after a long battle with illness, his family said. He was 72. 

“Today we share news that breaks our hearts: Dadou has taken his final bow and entered the Lord’s eternal embrace,” the family posted on social media.

“To the world, he was a musical icon, a legendary guitarist whose work defined generations; to us, he was a cherished relative whose humility matched his talent. He was a husband, a father, a friend, and a beacon of Haitian culture whose art touched countless lives,” the post continued.

Born on Aug. 19, 1953, Pasquet was a virtuoso guitarist, arranger, and composer. He was one of the most influential figures in Konpa, known for his central role in shaping the country’s musical landscape. Pasquet grew up surrounded by musicians and started playing guitar at a young age, inspired by the artists in his family. As a teenager, he moved to New York, where he began performing professionally with a band called Tropicale.

In the early 1970s, he joined the legendary Tabou Combo, one of Haiti’s most influential Konpa groups. In 1976, he and his brother, Claude “Tico” Pasquet, founded Magnum Band in Miami. Under his leadership, the group developed a distinctive style—a smooth blend of Konpa, jazz, funk, and pop—that set them apart throughout the Caribbean and beyond.

His most popular songs include Experience, Jehovah, Paka Pala, Pike Devan, Liberty, Se Vérité—featuring Guadeloupean singer Tanaya Saint-Val, among others.

The Pasquet family did not disclose the illnesses the artist had suffered until his final days. However, a close source confirmed that the Haitian music legend was fighting leukemia.

Across Haiti and the diaspora, musicians and fans are mourning the loss of the artist whose bold yet refined style helped reshape modern konpa and inspired countless performers.

Ralph Condé, one of Haiti’s well-known guitarists and singers, paid tribute to Pasquet, whose musical legacy deeply inspired him. On Facebook, Condé wrote, “Dadou’s touch, his soul, and his brilliance on the guitar have left a mark that will never fade.”

“A legend has left us. While we celebrate our country’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup, this sad news has reached us,” also said poet John Wesley Delva in a post on his page. “One of the greatest guitarists—if not the best—our country has ever seen—has left us.”

The Office of Prime Minister Alix Fils-Aimé quickly issued a message of sympathy, noting that while the country has lost a giant, his influence will continue to shape the nation’s music for generations.

“Legendary figure of Konpa, Dadou was a rare musician whose humility matched his virtuosity,” said the Office of the Prime Minister. “Passionate, elegant, and deeply devoted to his art as well as to his people, he leaves a void that nothing will ever fill.”

Pasquet’s musical legacy extends over five decades, blending the core elements of Konpa with jazz, funk and global influences. Among his most notable albums include “Cherché La Vie” by Magnum Band (1980), which helped shape the group’s musical identity, and “Afrika” (1986), a tribute to African heritage that combines Haitian rhythms with pan-African themes.

He also released “Live at Berklee” in 1992, an album capturing the band’s energetic performance in Boston and showcasing Dadou’s remarkable improvisational style. Les Archives Vol. I & II (1998) offer a retrospective of more than 30 years of his musical journey.

Just days before his death, the family released a statement explaining Pasquet’s temporary step back from public life as he focused on recovery. They thanked supporters for their encouragement and asked for continued privacy.

“He is currently going through a serious health challenge that prevents him from performing or interacting with you as he would like,” the family said in a Facebook post. “Although Dadou cannot communicate personally at the moment, your messages and prayers are reaching him and are deeply appreciated.”

Fans, friends and music lovers worldwide are invited to join the Pasket family in Miami on Saturday, Nov. 29, to celebrate and honor the life of the Haitian music icon.

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