Klass is synonymous with clean arrangements, deep pocket, and elegant live shows. In this Maestro Richie Interview, drummer, composer, and bandleader Jean Hérard “Richie” Richard shares the craft behind that consistency, why percussion still rules konpa, and how discipline—not hype—keeps a band at the top.
A Living Architect of Groove
In the Maestro Richie Interview, Richie describes himself as a “necessary instrument”—never “indispensable.” He identifies his gift, accepts the responsibility that comes with it, and shares it with bandmates and audiences. That mindset shapes every rehearsal, arrangement, and show.
Roots in Port-au-Prince, Ears on the Canon
Born in Port-au-Prince on October 4, 1969, Richie came up studying the giants. He cites Nemours Jean-Baptiste, Septentrional, Dadou & Tico Pasquet, André Dejean, Daniel Larrivière, Guy Durosier, and Alex Jacques (Kolé Kolé Band’s “Symphonie Inachevée”) as pillars.
Bandwise, he shouts out Magnum, Caribbean Sextet, Zeklè (as a bridge to a new generation), Skandal, Papash, Top Vice, D’Jah, Skah Shah—an ecosystem that taught him melody, form, and how groove carries meaning.
Spirituality, Drums, and Cultural Connection
Richie frames spirituality as connection more than doctrine. In the Maestro Richie Interview he notes how Vodou’s drums and rhythms “connect” him. That cultural bond illuminates why he treats percussion as the foundation, not ornamentation.
Percussion Comes First in Konpa
In classic konpa, tanbou and gong came before the modern drum kit. Richie explains that bass and drums are best friends, while the gong often plays a counter-rhythm that gives the dance its swing. Try to mute tanbou and gong, and the feel collapses. That’s why Klass never abandons core percussion, even as arrangements modernize.
Why Klass Isn’t a Jam Session
“Architecture over improvisation” could be Klass’s motto. Each song has patterns: where motifs sit, when the solo arrives, how the ending resolves. This prevents repetition and drift.
In the Maestro Richie Interview, Richie stresses that structure makes the set flow and keeps the audience locked in. You hear it in songs like “FKD” and “Enmen m an jwe”—solos appear where they belong, and transitions land cleanly.
Chemistry You Can Hear
Chemistry is time, habits, and relationships. Richie and bassist Nixon Mesidor grew up musically together, and it shows: the pocket is unshakable. Rehearsals are conducted at room-appropriate volume so players can hear details and fix them. It’s not about being loud; it’s about being right.
Consistency + Discipline = Longevity
Crowds cheer today and critique tomorrow. Richie accepts both. His counter is consistency and discipline. Do the work, protect your focus, and deliver. He avoids chasing social-media noise; instead he doubles down on process. In the Maestro Richie Interview, he calls consistency after discipline the surest path to longevity.
Leadership Without Ego
Richie doesn’t posture as a tyrant. If he sets call time, he’s there too. The band agrees on a working “chart” of standards, then holds each other to it. Respect—not fear—keeps Klass aligned. It’s a professional culture where everyone believes in the music first.
Fair Play and Professional Conditions
Klass plays with anyone who operates with respect and proper logistics. The guideline is simple: clear conditions, proper timing, and a show that wraps at the agreed hour. The Maestro Richie Interview makes plain that boundaries protect performance quality.
Management That Lets Musicians Be Musicians
Hervé manages Klass. He books the band and handles contracts so musicians can focus on the music. If a complex clause appears, Richie gives input—but day to day, management manages. The result is fewer distractions and better shows.
Credits, Collaborations, and Curating Material
From Klass’s first album, outside writers have contributed. “Lajan sere” and “You Don’t Want Me” are by Dener (music/lyrics), produced for Klass. Great bands curate; they don’t let ego block excellent songs. The Maestro Richie Interview underscores that selecting the best material—wherever it comes from—is part of the job.
On Critiques and “5 ti chen”
Richie’s stance on criticism is steady: people interpret lyrics through their own lens. He doesn’t name names. If someone feels targeted, that’s their interpretation. He also admits Klass can “have fun” and respond playfully. The deeper point is composure—focus on the music and keep standards high.
Arrangements That Dance, Not Drag
You’ve seen bands get “stuck” in a vamp, unsure how to exit. Klass designs exits. Endings are rehearsed like beginnings. In the Maestro Richie Interview, Richie explains that defined patterns keep the dancefloor energized and the band synchronized.
A Modern Visual Language: “Ou tou la”
Richie praises director Robenson “Roby” Lovince for the “Ou tou la” video: sharp script, effective color design, and angles that flatter performance. It’s a case study in how to translate konpa’s feel into cinematic images without losing musical clarity.
Lessons for Rising Bands
Know the canon. Study Nemours and the schools of direct konpa.
Keep percussion central. Bass, drums, tanbou, and gong are the engine.
Design your set. Place solos, nail transitions, rehearse endings.
Rehearse smart. Volume that lets you hear mistakes is how you fix them.
Lead by example. Show up, be prepared, and respect the chart.
Protect focus. Consistency beats commentary.
Fan Notes and Fun Details
Even with a reputation for precision, Richie calls himself a “soft boy,” not a “bad boy.” The edge you hear is commitment, not attitude. He’s also a lifelong foodie for rice with black bean sauce and seafood—proof that great groove still runs on great fuel.
Why This All Still Matters
Konpa is living music. It evolves. But as the Maestro Richie Interview shows, evolution doesn’t mean erasing roots. It means honoring percussion, arranging with intent, and treating chemistry like the fragile asset it is. Klass’s staying power is no accident—it’s the daily practice of standards.
Conclusion: Keep the Standard, Keep the Swing
The Maestro Richie Interview reads like a manual for sustainable excellence. Respect percussion. Build patterns. Rehearse with ears. Lead with discipline. Do that, and your sound grows bigger, tighter, and more irresistible—show after show.
Call to Action
If you learned something from this Maestro Richie Interview, share it with a musician friend. Spin Klass’s catalog tonight and listen for the patterns, the counter-rhythms, and the endings that land. Then take those lessons to your next rehearsal and raise your standard.
