Kanaval: Haitian Rhythms and the music of New Orleans

• Fred Vigeant
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  Fred Vigeant is WITF's Director of Programming and Promotions for TV and Radio. Fred manages the schedules for our radio and television platforms. He also analyzes audience research and manages the public affairs program Smart Talk. Previously, Fred was at WRVO in Oswego, NY for 12 years serving in various roles including Program Director and before that Operations Manager. Fred graduated from the State University of New York College at Oswego with a B.A. in Mass Communications and Broadcasting.

For Black History Month, WITF presents Kanaval: Haitian Rhythms and the Music of New Orleans, a musical and cultural three-part special from WXPN in Philadelphia.

Much of what distinguishes New Orleans today from other American cities can be traced back to deep French and African influences from the Caribbean Island now called Haiti.

NOLA’s Haitian cultural influence began two hundred years ago when 10,000 free and enslaved people fled the uprising in the French colony of Saint Domingue.

The city’s multi-cultural DNA is what has made New Orleans famous and is reflected in the food, architecture, art, and most notably, its music.

Kanaval: Haitian Rhythms and the Music of New Orleans, hosted by Grammy Award winning musician Leyla McCalla, explores the history and the continuing impact of this Haiti on the Crescent City.

Listen for Kanaval Sunday at 8:00pm and Tuesday at 2:00pm beginning February 14 on WITF. Catch the program on-demand here…

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