Haitian music legend Herby Widmaier, a singer-composer who started his musical career in the late 1950s died on April 27 at his house in Port-au-Prince. Considered a music legend by many for his contributions not only to Haitian music, but to Haitian broadcasting, Widmaier was born in Port-au-Prince in the 1930s. At thirteen, he had built his first radio. He was a popular star at El Rancho, and performed there regularly at the beginning of his career.

He was part of Issa El Saieh’s band, and sung lead on several records. Among his recordings was the jazz-inflected “Woman in Love”.

Mushi and Joel, two of Widmaier’s sons went on to follow his musical footsteps and formed a band called Zekle in the early 1980s.

Widmaier’s father Ricardo Widmaier owned a radio station, and with this exposure, he learned about technical aspects of radio. He later created his own radio station Radio Metropole, which is still operated by Richard, one of his sons.

The deceased’s funeral will be held at a church in Petionville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince. He was 84.

Condolences and sympathies to his family and other loved ones.

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Haiti declared a state of nation of mourning for one-time leader Rene Preval, who is being buried today in his hometown Marmelade, a small town miles away from Haiti’s capital. Preval served an initial term in 1996 in the Caribbean nation, and served a second term in the 2000s. According to news reports, he is survived by two daughters and his widow Elizabeth Preval. The one-time leader of Haiti studied agricultural science at a university in Belgium, and also had a stint at the University of Pisa, Italy.

Haiti’s current president Jovenel Moise and the First Lady of Haiti Martine Moise are expected at his funeral this morning, as well as a host of officials. Michaelle Jean, the former Governor General of Canada, is set to pay tribute.

According to information that has been released in the media, the former head of state’s funeral will start in Port-au-Prince, and a procession will travel to his hometown. The body was displayed for public viewing the day before. Today, several representatives from various organizations will pay their respect. Haiti’s national police force will march during the funeral procession, and a musical orchestra from the former president’s hometown is expected to perform.

Haiti former leader Preval was 74. Various news outlets indicate that in the early 2000s he was treated for prostrate cancer. Most news outlets have yet to reveal his cause of death. Miami Herald reporter Jacqueline Charles who interviewed some of his friends indicated that it may have been due to heart-related issues. Results of an autopsy are pending.

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