Dominica News Online can confirm that Patrick St Eloi of Kassav band died after a long illness last night.
Kassav performed at the 2009 World Creole Music Fest.
Kassav’ (Antillean Creole for a local dish made from cassava root) is a Francophone zouk band formed in Paris in 1979.
The core members of the band are Jocelyne Béroard, Jacob Desvarieux, Jean-Philippe Marthély, St. Eloi, Jean-Claude Naimro, Claude Vamur and Georges Décimus (who left the band to form Volte Face, before returning to Kassav’).
Kassav’ have issued over 20 albums, with a further 12 solo albums by band members. (Source: Wikipedia)
Patrick St. Eloi is the second legendary Caribbean artiste to have died for the week. On Wednesday morning, Arrow – born Alphonsus Celestine Edmund Cassell – died in his native Montserrat from brain cancer.
Arrow, who is renowned for his globally acclaimed soca hit Hot Hot Hot, was 55.
I am one of Patrick’s biggest fans. My heart is so broken that I cannot stop crying. I wish Patrick were around for a long time to continue to bless us with his beautiful melodies. I am completely sad. I have spend all day listerning to his music and crying when I heard this sad news. May your soul rest in peace Patrick and thank you for your music.
Patrick God be with you. All Angolans will miss you.
Love Love absolutely love kassav! I am haitian and we haitian people love zouk and respect the each and everyone of the band members for creating such beautiful music. Patrick definitely will be a missing link. We will not forget him. His music and memory will live on. May god bless your soul. Rest in Peace!
I worked with this man , mixing his Live in Paris album…. One of the nicess guys of the business R.I.P. Long live his music….
His music will always remain in my heart. I saw him perform in Dominica at the WCMF in 2006, a memory I will FOREVER cherish. Rest in peace Patrick, you are one of the GREAT ones! I will miss you. We Haitians will miss you, thanks for sharing your talent will us.
St Lucia loves you Patrick and Arrow
Heaven’s orchestra has now got two caribbean artists added to its chorale of angel voices in one week. Jesus does not fool around, when your number is called and he requires you, you will go to fulfil your fate and get rewarded for your glorifying him on earth.
I met Patrick as a child in Douala-Cameroon many years ago. He signed an autograph for me. he also recorded a video clip in Yaounde-Cameroon. Patrick, you made wonderful music. Thank you, rest in peace and may God Give fortitude to your family and Kassav.
thats my boy i love his music i really felt sad when i heard the news his memory lives on
R I P
THANKS FOR THE GOOD DAYS
I’m here reading this tearfully. This man is like the Micheal Jackson of zouk. He will surely be missed and is a great loss indeed.
Mwen ké manché musik li
will be missed
Oh Oh, well he made beautiful music. He will be missed. Strenght and Courage to the remaining band members.
R.I.P. Love his voice! Been singing(to myself) ‘ma ma creole’ for the past few months now! Was one of the sweetest singing voice in music! He will be missed, but his music(songs) will live on.
I am one of those music who have seen this great musical icon(Patrick) at most performances in Da. New york and the Boston carnival and this great voice will surely leave a void in the creole musical bands
Patrick you were one of the best. I loved you and the music you and your sidekicks produced for our pleasure. Rest in peace because you fulfilled your destiny.
@Kanpeche:
Kanpech, Thanks for sharing that wonderful song. I had never heard it before. First saw Kassav in Concert in 1991 when they first came to Dominica, and several other times when they performed at the World Creole Music Festival. That voice of Patrick, and his peaceful and simple style of delivery were some of the hallmarks of Kassav.
At least his voice and pix wil be with us through his music. RIP bro. You have gone to the place of the zetwal
I LOOKING AT THE CARNAVAL LIVE IN FRANCE ALL NOW, MAKE MUSIC IN HEAVEN RIP
R.I.P,This great voice will be missed.
A true professional in the music business I had the first hand experience seeing him practice and all I have to say he is a Class Act
You will stay alive in my Heart. Thanks for you great musical compositions. RIP Patrick.
Oh my I am shocked, I can’t believe ….my favorite singer…Lord Bless him
may your soul rest in peace Patrick,u will always be rememberd.
RIP MY BROTHER, I REMEMBER LISTEN TO KASSAV YOU WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE. RIP PATRICK ST.ELOI DEATH IS THE OPPOSITE OF LIFE. THE BIBLE SHOWS THIS AT ECCLESIASTES 9:5.
OH MY MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PEACE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE ON THROUGH YOUR SWEET MUSIC
May his soul rest in peace.. Been to several kassav concerts in DA and they hve always put on a great show..Im sure his fellow bandmates will miss him..
may his soul rest in peace he was sick for a while and things was not getting better my sympathy to the family but we all have to go there one day one way or the other something has to take us there
@Kanpeche:
Thanks for the songs!
RIP Patrick. I have the distinct of honor of attending two Kassav concerts live. They are still the best performances that I’ve seen live.
Great talent never lasts long…wonder why??….May you rest in peace St Eloi…
oh my patrick i can’t belive….. i had to call and come on here, to see for myself… mennn am in shock my heart is still beating so fast, mennning I will miss you,, you always had good things to say to me….. AM SO SO SAD AT THIS MOMENT…
gone too soon RIP..
Like many, I had the chance to see kassav in concert a few times. They never failed to uplist my inner caribbean spirit, an take me to a wonderful place of nostalgic bliss. Good music does that to one’s soul. Patrick uplifted the heart, and made the feet dance even when they didn’t want to. Thanks for contributing to our world. Here is one of my favorite Patrick songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejvx7dNTMew
oh boy that is so sad may u rest in peace .
oh no. n i was so looking for the DFC to replace d UB40 man with kassav. or Patrick St Eloi at least. he was a legend in d music world n will be terribly missed. RIP Patrick
Am Dominican liveing in gwada and i can tell you that the hole island is very sad about this great passing! even we new he was sick for some time but we did not belive he would live us so fast! may he RIP!
but wait ahile to me eveything that associated with the WCMF something happening bad.
thank u for great music u gave us rip