Jean-Claude Naimro

The Caribbean-rooted keyboard playing and vocals of French West Indies-born and Paris-based Jean-Claude Naimro have anchored the dance-inspiring sound of Zouk pioneers Kassav since 1981. Together with Guadeloupe-born bassist and bandleader Pierre-Edouard Decimus, guitar wiz Jacob F. Desvarieux, and an 11-piece percussion section, Naimro has brought international acclaim for the Paris-based group. Naimro’s two solo albums — En Balate, released in 1985, and Digital Dread, released in 1996 — have featured a similar fusion of African and Caribbean influences. ~ Craig Harris