The Golden Age of Exotica, compiled by Henk Braaksma.
The Z A P A K A R A s of L E X V E R V U U R T
Who still remembers them from the 50’s, when the radio blasted orchestras of Max Woiski, Kilima Hawaiians and María Zamora: The Zapakara’s of Lex Vervuurt. This Surinamese man was one of the first to come live in the Netherlands in 1934. Not as a musician, but to get his teaching degree. But he soon discovered he was one of the first to be able to play the electric guitar. And especially before the war, his talent was discovered by existing radio and entertainment orchestras, who happily took him into their ensembles. During the war, he and his brother played with Malando for a while. But we mostly know Lex Vervuurt for his primitive way of singing Surinamese folk tunes, with his own ensemble, The Zapakara’s. Their first records appeared in 1948. In the upcoming programmes, we go back in time and play those hard to find records.
Playlist
01. El cumbanchero – Columbia D.H. 583 – The Zapakara’s led by Lex Vervuurt –
(R. Hernández)
02. Serebamba – Decca M 32369 – The Zapakara’s led by Lex Vervuurt – (Trad.)
03. Mie wang potie wrokomang – Decca M 32576 – The Zapakara’s led by Lex Vervuurt
– (Trad.)
04. Matapica – Radio-opname – The Zapakara’s led by. Lex Vervuurt – (Lex Vervuurt)
05. Kawina – Philips P 17236 H – The Zapakara’s led by. Lex Vervuurt – (Lex Vervuurt)
06. Brazamie, wals – Tivoli 42119 – Apinti Boys led by Lex Vervuurt – (?)
07. Te mie dede – Telstar TF 8067 TL – The Zapakara’s led by Lex Vervuurt – (trad.)
08. A sanie – Telstar TF 8067 TL – The Zapakara’s led by Lex Vervuurt – (Lex Vervuurt)
09. Mies Helena – Philips 422 162 PE – The Caribbean Boys with vocals of The
Caribbean Girls led by Lex Vervuurt – (Lex Vervuurt)
10. De kokosnoot-calypso – Philips 422 162 PE – The Caribbean Boys with vocals of
The Caribbean Girls led by Lex Vervuurt – (Lex Vervuurt)
11. Three little words – Panachord H 2009 – Secco’s Gitanos (Casino Hamdorff in
Laren, March 1937) – (Ruby/Kalmar)
12. Heinekens Bier (2) – Advertising record- The Zapakara’s led by Lex Vervuurt – (?)
13. Amstel Bier (2) – Advertising record – Orkest Milagro Boys led by Lex Vervuurt – (?)
14. Erres calypso – Erres advertising record- Caribbean Serenaders led by Lex Vervuurt –
(J. van Largerat)
15. Pre nanga mie – Fontana 660 504 TR – Caribbean Serenaders led by Lex Vervuurt
(vocals: Emmy Monsanto) – (Lex Vervuurt)
16. Mie empie – Fontana 660 504 TR – Caribbean Serenaders led by Lex Vervuurt
(zang: Emmy Monsanto) – (Lex Vervuurt)
17. Rijst met kerry, West Indian wals- radio – The Zapakara’s led by Lex Vervuurt –
(De Fuentes)
18. Paramaribo mambo – radio – The Zapakara’s led byLex Vervuurt – (Lex Vervuurt)
19. Ketio, Surniamese samba – radio – The Zapakara’s led by Lex Vervuurt – (Lex
Vervuurt)
20. Zestien April – Decca M 32369 – The Zapakara’s led by Lex Vervuurt – (Trad.)
