Kreyol Jazz Project (Haiti/USA/Trinidad and Tobago)

For  this 15^th edition, the Haiti Jazz Foundation marks its commitment to make Creole Jazz a long-term tradition by implementing an artistic residency bringing together 6 Creole artists, fervent defenders of the genre for the first original creation of the “Kreol Jazz Project“.

For this project, the first of a long lineage (it will be reissued each year with a different cast each time), the Haiti Jazz Foundation brings together 6 experienced artists:

De Guadeloupe : Malika Tirolien, chanteuse, producer, auteure-compositrice, nommée 6 fois aux Grammy Awards. Christophe Maillard, guitariste et pianiste, auteur-compositeur-interprète et arrangeur originaire de la Guadeloupe connu pour son travail de fusion du rythme Ka à des courants musicaux actuels.

De La Réunion : Olivier Ker Ourio, brillant compositeur, reconnu comme l’un des meilleurs harmonicistes chromatiques de jazz de la planète.

From Haiti: Harvel Nakundi: A prolific jazz drummer, Harvel has been collaborating with leading artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Emeline Michel, Nicole Henry, Terence Blanchard, James Moody… and is an outstanding educator who seeks to pass on his knowledge to the youngest at every opportunity. Mushy Widmaier: Recognized as one of the best pianists in the Caribbean, Mushy is, against all odds, self-taught. The major characteristic of his style is his ability to create moods and the elaboration of a unique kind of kreyol jazz.  Gérald Kébreau: Passionate bassist who became known to the public as a member of T-Vice with whom he collaborated for 16 years and then joined the Jazz Seth Burkhart 4 quartet.  His ability to play jazz, latin and konpa allows him to multiply collaborations.

This genre is called differently according to the musicians, the regions and/or the projects: Vodou Jazz, Haitian Jazz, Maloya Jazz, Jazz-Ka, Biguine Jazz, Caribbean Jazz… but its formula remains the same: Creole Jazz is jazz  music that blends with the traditional music of Creole territories, a multiple and infinitely rich cultural heritage.  It is practiced in Reunion Island, Mauritius, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Trinidad etc. and of course in Haiti and its diaspora.

The PAPJAZZ is very proud and happy to present this original creation at its 15th edition.