The son of Haitian emigrants, Jowee, was raised in Montreal and learnt to play the saxophone whilst attending his father’s (who was a minister) church later heading to Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music and onto New York to begin his musical journey in earnest. Currently residing in Paris, his much travelled, multi-lingual, multi-instrumentalist releases his new album Love Matters! through Jazz Village / [PIAS] on September 14th
Love Matters! – an unique fusion of jazz, classical and pop brought together by an incredible performer that exudes his zest for life both musically and on a human level. His heritage revisited with its carnival rhythms at the fore, melodies from his fondness of classical music, tinges of Thelononius Monk, Jamaican beats, flashes of Miles Davis, the rapture of gospel and his own exclamatory BasH! Style unite to provide a musical insight to the ever-growing stage on which Jowee Omicil dwells.
Taking its title from a Martiniquais rhythm, the new track Mendé Lolo; “is also played in Haiti as a Rara or carnival rhythm. It takes on an entirely new direction when played with musicians from across the world.” He continues; “With little or no reference to other works prior to performing, this track to me is a tribute to Hugh Masekela.”
Shot in Conakry, the capital of Guinea on Africa’s West Coast, the video features Jowee venturing around the city, meeting its inhabitants, young and old whilst displaying his musical dexterity. Produced by Omicil alongside Hugo Claveau and Frédérique Miguel, the video also features guest musicians Papa Kouyaté and his Grands Sorciers, Balla Moussa, King Abdoulaye, Kona Khasu.
Love Matters is released on CD, vinyl and digitally and available to pre-order
- The full track-listing is
- Mendé Lolo
- Waves of Monk
- Rara Démaré
- Obas Konsa
- Clark
- Mozart BasH !
- De L’Orient
- Marie-Clémence
- Be Kuti
- Putain De BasH !
- Duérmete mi niño
- Calm Before The Storm
- Wè wè wè wè