From the Streets of Petion-Ville to the Global Stage: The Legendary Conga Player Who Brought Haitian Music to the World
In the heart of Petion-Ville, Haiti, a young boy named Reynald Valme grew up with dreams larger than life. Living next door to the iconic drummer and founder of Tabou Combo, Herman Nau, Reynald was captivated by the sound and spirit of music from an early age. What began as admiration quickly became a lifelong rhythm, discipline, and legendary performance journey.
Valme’s early education took him through Les Frères de l’Instruction Chrétienne (FIC) and Gregoire Eugene’s boarding school in Bois-Palatte, and he later attended Lycée de Petion-Ville for high school. But it was during his boarding school days that his musical career truly began, first with a group called Les Playboys, then with Les Ziganes of Ruelle Chrétien. These early bands laid the foundation for his unmistakable groove and unmatched passion for percussion—especially the conga.
Reynald’s talent didn’t go unnoticed. He was introduced to the esteemed band Dipi Express by fellow conga player Ti Pierrot Kersaint. For three years, Reynald performed with Dipi under the leadership of Edy Woolley alongside vocal powerhouse Hervé Bleus. It was a time of musical growth, but his journey was far from over.
The legendary guitarist Ti Claude Marcelin, impressed by Reynald’s skill, brought him into the orbit of Reginald Policard and Toto Laraque. The duo personally invited Reynald to rehearse with their band, the Caribbean Sextet, at the Dinggaling Club in Delmas. Already a fan of the group, Reynald showed up—and never looked back. From 1979 to 1981, he played with the Caribbean Sextet and contributed to their memorable album “En Gala,” including the hit song “Chatte Fifi” with Toto Laraque on lead vocals.
Then came a defining moment: in July 1981, Tabou Combo returned to Haiti, and Yves Joseph extended an invitation to Reynald to join the band in New York. That invitation marked the beginning of a lifelong legacy. As a member of Tabou Combo, Reynald Valme became more than a conga player—he became a rhythmic force, helping to carry the band’s reputation as Haiti’s most legendary musical export.
Yet his story didn’t end there.
In 1996, during a Tabou Combo performance at Cleveland’s Progressive Field, fate struck again. The band was opening for none other than Jimmy Buffett, the American rock legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. Reynald’s electrifying performance caught the attention of Jimmy Buffett; Tom Mitchell, Buffett’s saxophonist, who was also performing with Tabou Combo, then personally introduced him to Jimmy after the show. Moved by Reynald’s skill and energy, Buffett invited him to tour with his band.
From 1996 to 1998, Reynald Valme toured the world with Jimmy Buffett, performing at high-profile venues such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Hollywood Bowl, Chicago, Morocco, and many more international amphitheaters. He was part of a musical fusion that bridged Caribbean rhythm with American rock, a rare honor for any Haitian musician.
His time with Buffett concluded in 1998 when original percussionist Ralph MacDonald rejoined the band. But Reynald’s legacy continued with Tabou Combo, where he remains a vital force to this day. He stands as the only Haitian conga player from a major Haitian band to have toured with an international icon like Jimmy Buffett.
Beyond his musical genius, Reynald Valme is known among his peers as a disciplined musician, a generous bandmate, and a kindhearted soul. A fitness enthusiast and coach, he continues to defy age, keeping his mind sharp and his body agile.
For his extraordinary contributions to Haitian music, his dedication to the craft of percussion, and his historic international achievements, Reynald Valme earns his rightful place in the HMI Magazine Hall of Fame. He is not just a conga player—he is a living legend, a rhythmic ambassador, and a timeless symbol of Haiti’s musical brilliance.
