Biguine

Biguine is a style of music that originated in Martinique in the 19th century.

By combining the traditional bélé music with the polka, the black musicians of Martinique created the biguine, which comprises three distinct styles, the "biguine de salon", the "biguine de bal" and the "biguines de rue". Lacking recognition at home, several biguine artists moved to mainland France, where they achieved greater popularity in Paris, especially in the wake of the colonial exhibition in 1931. The popularity of the biguine declined in the 1970s, when it began to be replaced by more commercial music.

The biguine is similar to New Orleans jazz music, and may have influenced its development.

See also

* Beguine (dance)
* Music of Martinique and Guadeloupe
* Zouk

External link:
* http://www.zouk-uk.com/