biguine

A style of music that originated in Martinique in the 19th century, combining the traditional bélé music with the polka.

The band had three contrasting lead singers: Mr. Desvarieux, who was gruff and smoky; Mr. Marthely, a buoyant tenor; and Ms. Beroard, whose voice can be bright and poppy or sweetly affectionate. Mr. Naimro’s keyboards could sound like zinging dance-club synthesizers, an accordion, a steel drum or the clarinet used in old Martinican biguine music. Mr. Desvarieux’s guitar sometimes hinted at blues-rock or the intertwining lines of African rock before slipping back into the rhythm section.

A musical composition in this style.

A dance performed to this music.