Kompa is a popular form of jazz-based dance music that originated in Haiti during the mid-twentieth century. Kompa is derived from méringue de salon, a string-based style of Haitian dance music inspired by contra dance, a dance style from Europe. The popularity of Kompa has inspired many Caribbean music forms, including the Antillean zouk and cadence-lypso, from the Dominican Republic.

The traditional Kompa sound features the brass instruments associated with big band, like the saxophone, trumpet, and trombone, and the slower rhythms of méringue de salon, set to the pulsating beats of tanbou, a barrel drum from Haiti. Modern kompa, or compas nouvelle génération, replaces many traditional kompa instruments with electronic equipment, such as synthesizers and drum machines, and adds elements of hip-hop and reggae to appeal to club and dancehall audiences.

We will have a class led by the incredible Robenson Mathurin to show you some Kompa dance steps. Afterwards you will have the evening to practice and have fun! You should bring a partner to dance with as Kompa is best danced as a couple, but if not, we will pair you with someone here. You can sign up from our website or purchase on eventbrite below.