Some nights are EXTRA special…
Friday 3rd April 2026, Amsterdam Ziggo Dom was one of them nights. For so many reasons !
At the end of 2025 while visiting Europe, our Manager saw that the 2026 “Ladies of Soul” Mega Concert would include Kid Creole and the Coconuts… The date was unmissable !
Indeed, for Jean-Luc, this iconic New York band was the very first Concert he organized, with his best friend – Frédéric, in May 1990. Exactly 36 years ago. The two French friends, now often in Brussels had to relive the magic. Tickets were reserved and flights from Mauritius to Holland were booked. It was time for Annick to also see KID CREOLE live…
On 4th May 1990, the then Business School Gala at the Palais des Congrès (2.500 seater), in Lille was a very ambitious affair, which took nearly a year to plan, fund and organize. This time Kid Creole and his new Coconuts would only perform for 10 minutes, as one of the International Guest Stars lined up by the Dutch Singing foursome. More on this down below… Even if it was only for 3 to 4 songs, reliving the magic of KCC live, was a bucketlist night to remember, on the back of an 11 hour flight… This unforgettable Gala Night in the early 90ies was the spark that fuelled Jean-Luc’s musical passion. This was then…
But this is now, as Jean-Luc manages and produces TCS, another Creole dream with 3 Coconuts. Annick, Véronique and Dominique. Maybe this collaboration was ignited by Adriana, Cheryl and Fonda ?
Back then, KID CREOLE and the Coconuts was riding on a wave of 10 year constant success around the World, but France was a very special fan base. The Big Band sound infused with Soul/Jazz/Funk and Calypso, brewed by August Darnell and his amazing gang (Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band, featuring Percussionist Extraordinaire – Coati Mundi), was unique. The perfect looks, the stunning Coconuts and iconic music “that transcends the essence of Tropical Cool“, made Kid Creole an absolute blast, never to be missed on stage. Thierry Ardisson, star presenter on France 2 TV, often booked them to perform in his shows, stating that “Kid Creole and the Coconuts is the best live band ever“. On the back of huge international hits like “Annie, I’m Not Your Daddy,” “Stool Pigeon”, “I’m a Wonderful Thing Baby” and “Endicott“, the band paid tribute to the Paris 80ies VIP Clubs with “Dancing at the Bains Douches“. Another dance classic was “Lifeboat Party“. These horns….. Then in 1987, an amazing album was released : “I too have seen the woods”, with timeless classic tracks like “Agony…Ecstasy“. As the 90ies opened a new era in popular music, KID CREOLE released their 7th studio album “Private Waters in the Great Divide”, with a single produced by Prince himself. “The Sex of It“. So much to remember… 36 years later !
Back to Amsterdam now… The “LADIES of SOUL 2026” concert was the 12th mega concert by star female artists from the Netherlands. Starting with Candy Dulfer, which leads us back to Prince… again. As everyone knows : “When Prince wanted Sax, he calls Candy“. This instrument being such an important component in the TCS sound, seing Candy Dulfer live was another reason to head to Amsterdam. But the absolute second “MUST SEE” (after the Kid) was Trijntje Oosterhuis. Arguably one the most talented female singers ever, Trijnte is also well know for her pefect renditions of one of our most cherished American composers : Burth Bacharach. Isn’t “Close to You” a gem of a song ?
Then came the magic we had been waiting for all those years…. KID CREOLE & the Coconust 2026. 10 minutes for eternity !
And last but not least, the evening ended perfectly with a backstage reunion. Jean-Luc and Frédéric were over the moon. And Annick, representing the Clarisse Sisters, met a legend in August Darnell. From New York City to Mauritius, two different Coconut line-ups, but the same love of Creole Elegance !
Who knows what the future holds for this very special Creolian Connection ?
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