What’s new
Balad Damou
It’s all about love I feel deeply in my heart–love for country, love for my wife, love for my children, love for my family, love for my friends and love for you all. It is love for music and love … [more]
“Natif” for me, not Creole Jazz
I have been trying and I keep trying. I’m thriving to show how we can explore Haitian music in taking into account the many ways the Haitian diaspora is blending Haitian culture and music in their new adopted countries. I, … [more]
Divine Origin–part 7
This is the 7th part of the longest piece I have ever written for a string quartet. The whole piece lasts about 1 hour and 43 minutes. If music is the language of the soul, it is also one of … [more]
Poésie et musique
Je ne dirai jamais que je suis un poète. Toutefois, j’essaie de polir mes textes pour les rendre poétiques. A travers les années, je me suis efforcé de montrer la beauté de la langue Créole en embrassant non seulement son … [more]
Emosyon
Nos déboires, nos souffrances terribles, nos luttes interminables, nos déceptions en tant que peuple ont fini par causer un traumatisme collectif lequel semble paralyser même les plus braves parmi nous. En tant qu’artiste Haïtien, je me suis donné le devoir … [more]
Yanvalou Ginen
Le rythme “yanvalou” est l’un des rythmes le plus célébré dans notre folklore et dans notre musique. La sensualité et la grâce dégagées dans la danse issue de ce dernier reflètent aussi l’exaltation des mélodies inspirées par les compositeurs et … [more]
First piece for piano
My determination to explore Haitian music and to express with the best of my abilities defines, besides my faith, the reason of my existence down here. Music is a gift I have received from God, my Father, as He anchors … [more]
From the “natif” concept
Here are two examples where the “natif” concept is in full effervescence. First, the link to the chart of “Fonde.” Click on the title in red below in order to see the scores. Fonde The “play” button to listen to … [more]
The talent of Makarios Césaire
I had a great privilege to meet with Makarios in 1990. My very longtime friend Rigaud Simon introduced us. It was with great pleasure that he came to the recording sessions of my “Rara Mwe” project produced by Robert Aaron … [more]
Remembering Boulo Valcourt
Boulo Valcourt was one of the most Haitian talented musicians. He happened to be my cousin. We first met when I went to Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, for the official Baccalaureate exam, Part I. We had the French schooling … [more]
Gifrants Konpilasyon Volim I
My latest cd is out! It is a compilation of 17 songs from several albums. Digital versions are available online. But, people can get the physical album only from this site below, or click on the front and back cover … [more]
Article du Nouvelliste le 23 Juillet 2017
Le lien à cet article sur mon parcours en musique: Gifrants et l’âme musicale haïtienne
“Latibonit o” for clarinet and piano
This song is one of the most famous Haitian folk songs. I have arranged it, used it as an example in my book Kantik Natif, Volim I, in order to codify the “natif” concept. It is also one among a … [more]
Writing for a marching band
I have been approached many times regarding arranging or writing for a marching band. I have been very reluctant to do so since I do not believe that we should consider that “rigorous military underlining” for music, specially in our … [more]
Divine Origin–a god from God I am
From the longest piece I have ever written, this 3rd movement is written in 9/4–the telling of my origin and my final destination. A testimony of the ties between God, my Father, and me! Divine Origin, a god from God … [more]