Béroard was born in Fort-de-France , Martinique , and studied in France , attending the National School of Fine Arts in Paris , before beginning to work with Caribbean artistes as a background singer in 1980 . She has served as a lead singer of Kassav ' since 1983 . She has also recorded several albums as a solo artist . In 1986 , she won a Gold Disc for her album '' Siwo '' ( the all-time biggest seller for an album by a female in the West Indies ) . In 1987 , she recorded a duet with Philippe Lavil , the hit single " Kolé séré " , which peaked at number four in France . In 1999 , she was made a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur . In 2014 , she sang " On n'oublie pas " ( written by Serge Bilé ) with several artists and personalities including Alpha Blondy , Harry Roselmack and Admiral T . This song is a tribute to the 152 victims Martinique of the crash of 16 August 2005 , to remember this event and to help the AVCA , the association of the victims of the air disaster , to raise funds . She helped American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett write the song " Love and Luck " , which appeared on the compilation album '' Boats , Beaches , Bars & Ballads '' . The song mentions the Kassav song " Kolé Sére " . On April 1st , 2019 , it was announced on Kassav 's official Facebook page that Béroard was to marry her longtime fellow Jacob Desvarieux , singer and musician of the band and that the festivities were to take place on the day Kassav ' will celebrate their 40 years . The announcement later proved to be a joke for April Fools ' Day
crash of 16 August 2005
West Caribbean Airways Flight 708
Jocelyne Béroard