By Bob Simon

Tropigroove is a dynamic group founded in 2000. The band essentially consists of Haitian artists. Among them are Dr. Yves Morency, an extraordinary Caribbean saxophonist well-known in the Tampa Bay area, and his longtime friend Frantz Dimanche, a well-experienced vocalist.

Tropigroove used to perform at every Caribbean Festival in the Tampa Bay area. Among their most excellent appearances, their fans remembered the remarkable show on May 26, 2016, at the Hilton Hotel. They also made a great performance at the Karybbean Cruise Music in 2017. WMNF 88.5 hosts this festival every year and Tropigroove has become a critical band for this event. So they amazed the Karybbean Cruise Music audience with a few nice pieces of Compa since 2016.

Tropigroove creates a harmony of classic jazz mixed with modern merengue – usually described as the parent, in terms of the music genre, of the Haitian Compa. This genre is produced with instruments similar to jazz music.

In their instrument list, there is the tambour. This percussion instrument adds the zest to complete the Compa’s recipe. Morency’s saxophone emphasized the Compa genre like any other style, creating Tropigroove’s brand. The soft sine wave of Morency’s saxophone is the icing on the cake.

While performing for the ears, Tropigroove transformed tenseness into euphoria with its powerful melody led by the Saxo’s vibe.

With a wide variety of songs reflecting Caribbean culture, their music catalog is made of Zouk, Compa, and Reggae styles. They also played and interpreted songs on request.

These artists usually add polyrhythms and improvisation. Tropicgroove’s adventure officially started when Morency retired from medical practice in 2017 and decided to stick to his passion—playing instrumental music at friends’ and community parties around St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay. “From 2010, I used to perform for private events just to stay active,” said Morency.

He started practicing with his first saxophone in 1977 and waited until 2012 to launch the band. Today, the group has a playlist of 24 songs on two separate discs.

Morency’s first CD, titled Tropical Flavor, was released in 2001. Five years later, he released the second CD, titled Therapeutic Vibe.

With Tropigroove, Morency has delivered dozens of live performances in Florida, Boston, and New York.

They play for all events privately or live in public. The variety of genres of their composition allows them to play for all occasions.

Whether you have that upcoming private party, want your guests to enjoy some beautiful classic jazz seasoned with a Caribbean groove, or have a crowded festival ahead, you will need a great saxophonist. Reach Tropigroove today on the official Facebook page: Tropigroove.