Biography
I was born in Haiti, in Port-au-Prince. I am the second child in a total of five boys. Our father, was a renowned musician and painter.
During this time, Haiti was under the terrible dictatorship of Francois Duvalier. My father was opposed to this repressive regime, but forced to remain silent like all those who valued their lives. In 1968, under the orders of Duvalier, our cousin was shot along with 18 others. Officers accused them of trying to organise a coup. For my father, this was too much. He marched to the national palace, demanded to see François Duvalier who knew the artist personally and owned several of his works. Without consideration, my father was viewed as a trouble maker, and was
My music becomes the symbol of sweetness and serenity. Between softness and bitterness, richness and poverty I denounced the injustice without anger, but truthfulness.
at once stopped and tortured. No-one knows the date of his death, I will not examine it further, his body will never be returned to our family.
I quickly became aware of my responsibilities to my brothers. In my father’s diary, I discovered that his great wish was for me to become a singer. I have adored music since my childhood, when I stood to sing on the tables of my nursery school.
Then, when I won the “Concours Découvertes 88” I knew that I will soon be able to denounce the abuses and the injustices that my country has undergone during 30 years of dictatorship.
My music becomes the symbol of sweetness and serenity. Between softness and bitterness, richness and poverty I denounced the injustice without anger, but truthfulness. It is impossible not to cling to the power of my sentences, to the colour of the words. Never do I feel of hatred, rancour or revenge in my work, despite the tragic disappearance of my father.
I would give a lot to see mankind lay down arms forever, abolish frontiers and spread respect and love throughout the planet, inspiring in future generations the values which lead to Peace.
Thanks to my multicultural upbringing, I have captured the African soul of music. And naturally, the CUBHABRA, a subtle mixture of Cuban flavours, Haitian rhythms and rich Brazilian chords, all through the medium of jazz.
My frequent tours have led me through the French-speaking world, from the French Antilles, through France, Canada, Belgium and Switzerland... the United States where I lived for a long time, Tunisia and Japan.
Never in a hurry, never intoxicated by success, I believe that each thing takes as long as it needs. Each event or change which occurred in my country affects me strongly, directing me towards an artistic reflection of which I alone have the secret.
