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Pauline Jean: Hello Russia!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haitian-American singer/composer/arranger Pauline Jean is a multicultural artist whose repertoire incorporates rhythms of the African Diaspora with elements of jazz, world and western contemporary styles. Pauline sings in English, French and Creole, and offers her distinct approach to every song. She is a dynamic component of the new Haitian Jazz movement in New York, which is now reaching an ever-growing worldwide audience.

Pauline has been favorably compared to well-known vocalists, but through her confident ability has developed her own voice. “She invokes hornlike sounds, with shades of tones and phrasings that go well beyond just singing the lyrics” (All About Jazz). She also has developed popular tribute programs involving great women in the jazz/world genres. She is especially met with enthusiastic applause when she offers her heartfelt and thoughtful performances honoring Nina Simone and Toto Bissainthe. Her concerts, versatility and well-conceived debut recording are very impressive and stay with the listener.

Pauline has successfully proven her abilities as a performer and bandleader.  She has traveled to Russia, Lebanon, Switzerland, Finland, United Kingdom, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Nevis Island. Between international and local engagements, Pauline has performed at the Blue Note, the Iridium and at Lincoln Center in New York, among other venues.

Pauline Jean Photos

In early January of 2011, Pauline participated in the momentous “Sa’k Pase Ayiti” recording project by joining various prominent Haitian artists to commemorate the first anniversary of Haiti’s catastrophic earthquake. She was also invited to perform at the 5th Edition of the Festival International de Port-au-Prince in Haiti where she received great praise for her workshop and her soul stirring performances. The Haitian press described Pauline as “a black diamond with a magnificent voice.”

Pauline recently toured Russia, where she was the first vocalist/arranger to perform Afro Haitian Jazz. The Russian press wrote, “When Pauline appeared on stage, the energy was just an extraordinary force. Owner of incredible voice… it was she who showed a new approach to classic jazz, by adding elements of Afro-Haitian music” (Vedom News). Pauline is scheduled to return to Moscowin March 2012 to perform at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall.

Pauline holds a BM in jazz vocal performance from the Berklee College of Music.

Her debut CD “A Musical Offering” was released in 2009 to great acclaim. She is currently preparing for her second recording that will introduce interesting arrangements and new compositions.

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Michèle Voltaire Marcelin: Life Always Triumphs

Michèle Voltaire Marcelin is a writer, poet, performer, and visual artist who has lived in Haiti, Chile and the United States.

Her first novel, La Désenchantée, was published in 2006. Since then, she has published its Spanish translation, La Desencantada, as well as two other books of poetry and prose: Lost and Found, and Amours et Bagatelles– which was recently translated to Spanish and which she presented this February at the International Book Fair of Havana, Cuba.

Michele’s work is also included in two poetry anthologies published in France :Terre de Femmes (Editions Bruno Doucey) and Cahier Haiti by Revue d’Art, Littérature et Musique.

Maya Angelou declared her poems “stunning” in an interview on OprahRadio:

Haitian Poet Michele Voltaire Marcelin – Audio – Oprah.com

www.oprah.com

http://www.oprah.com/oprahradio/Haitian-Poet-Michele-Voltaire-Marcelin-Audio

Author Edwidge Danticat wrote: “The seventy-four poems in Michèle Voltaire Marcelin’s “Lost and Found” are as sensual as they are lyrical, as tender as they are incandescent. Make sure you are sitting down, or better yet lying down, with your beloved and a glass of wine, as you read them. Your heart — and your love life — will never be the same.”

Michèle recently read her poetry at the International Miami Book Fair along side Paul Farmer, Salman Rushdie, and Edwidge Danticat. She’s been featured as one of the poets of the NewsHour on PBS and interviewed by CNN Español.

She has performed her poetry solo and with jazz bands at the Brooklyn Museum , the MoCADA, La MaMa theatre, Cornelia Street Cafe, the United Nations, the Segal Theatre, and most recently at UCLA with Jonathan Demme, Maggie Steber, Mark Denner in Haiti Stories.

She has shared the stage with artistic luminaries Emeline Michel, Manno Charlemagne, Buyu Ambroise, Beethova Obas, Jessica St.Vil of KanuDance. Her artwork has been exhibited at the MoCADA, the African-American Museum of L.I., The Cork Gallery at Lincoln Center and the Mupanah in Haiti.

This Port-au-Prince born artist writes in 3 languages and currently lives and teaches in New York.