Rameau Poleon was a legendary figure in Saint Lucian folk music, renowned for his exceptional skills with the violin and his deep love for traditional music.
Born on July 10th, 1929, in Belle Vue, Vieux Fort, Poleon kept the culture alive in his community for the decades he played his violin.
Poleon's love for music was profound, being famously remembered for saying, “Music is in my head and when I go to sleep, I can hear the song coming out.”
This passion took him beyond the shores of Saint Lucia to perform in England, French Guiana, Martinique, Trinidad, Barbados (for CARIFESTA, 1981), Canada, and the Seychelles.
Poleon’s grandnephew and Vieux Fort North MP, Moses Jn. Baptiste, remembers his relative’s legacy. According to Poleon himself, he taught himself how to play the violin and mastered it with great ease.
“Long ago, there were no public schools and [Poleon’s] father actually paid teachers and started his own school. There’s so much history there. Poleon’s history is not just violin and music and cultural music,” he explained.
Rameau Poleon’s musical journey began in his southern community, where he formed the Rameau Poleon Band in 1979. This ensemble of six talented musicians, featuring the cuatro, banjo, violin, guitar, and shak-shak, brought the rich sounds of Saint Lucian folk music to life.
“He contributed so much to the lives of individuals, organisations and to Saint Lucia. For me his passing is sad but at the same time throughout his lifetime he contributed so much and the country awarded him.”
His dedication to preserving and promoting traditional dances, such as the Quadrille and Waltz, was evident in his membership with the Mount Gallion Band, which frequently performed at Lawöz, La Magwit, and Jounen Kwéyol celebrations.
He also had the honour of performing with the late "Queen of Culture," Dame Marie Selipha "Sesenne" Descartes. Rameau Poleon's exceptional talent earned him the title of Best Violinist twice, solidifying his status as one of Saint Lucia's finest folk musicians.
Executive Director of the Folk Research Centre, Rhyesa Joseph, commenting on Poleon’s passing, says Saint Lucia’s cultural landscape suffered a great loss.
“Saint Lucia's Rameau Poleon, a folk and cultural hero, has died. His contribution to national and cultural development is undeniable. Through the art of music as a violinist he has etched his name in the melodic folk rhythms that underscore Saint Lucian culture,” she said in a social media post.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the folk arts, Rameau Poleon was awarded the Saint Lucia Medal of Merit (Silver) in
- His remarkable achievements were further acknowledged in 2015 when he received an MBE (Member of the British Empire) for his sterling contributions to the arts. In October 2018, he was honoured as a Cultural Icon by the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), joining a distinguished group of Saint Lucian artistes.
Rameau Poleon's legacy will live on through his music and the countless lives he touched with his talent and passion. He will be remembered not only as a brilliant musician but also as a cultural ambassador who tirelessly promoted and preserved Saint Lucian folk traditions.