Artist description Mozayik's musical concept draws upon the rich legacy of traditional Afro-Haitian rhythms, blending them with the instrumentation, melodic/harmonic sensibilities and improvisation of jazz.

Music Style Jazz, Caribbean jazz, Funk, World, Haitian Roots

Musical Influences jazz music, haitian music, classical, latin jazz, blues, funk, gospel, African music

Similar Artists we have our own sound.

Artist History The members of Mozayik bring together multiple talents and years of playing and performing experience. Debut album released summer 2000.

Group Members Eddy Bourjolly- electric and acoustic guitarsPhilippe Charles- bass guitarWelmyr Jean-Pierre- acoustic piano and keyboardsGashford Guillaume- drumsMarkus Schwartz- traditional Haitian drums and percussion

Instruments electric/acoustic guitar, bass, piano,keyboard and organ, drums, percussion,

Albums Mozayik

Press Reviews excerpts from review by Serge Bellegarde, published July 2000, www.windowsonhaiti.comMozayik is a gem of a CD which has just been released in New York. This evocative name - the Kreyňl Mozayik translates as Mosaic - reflects indeed the orientation of the group which plays music based on Haitian folkloric beats such as : Kongo, Yanvalou, Nago, Ibo, Kontredans ; it plays funk ; it plays ballads, Brazilian Samba or straight ahead bebop Jazz. And all this with exquisite arrangements and particular competence. The music is simply wonderful. Tune No. 1, a traditional Haitian melody “Peze Kafe” sets the tone right from the start. Playing on the Kongo rhythm, guitarist Eddy Bourjolly and pianist Welmyr Jean-Pierre combine to do wonderful work. Jean-Pierre who is an excellent arranger of Konpa Dirčk is a real discovery for those of us who are not familiar with his other works. Listen to how the conga player Markus Schwartz maintains the steady Kongo beat. Welmyr Jean-Pierre does reminds me of Joe Sample, with sudden bursts of notes on the piano, embellished with nice melodic lines. The rhythm section does a wonderful job of keeping the beat steady. Tune No. 2 “Nago Wes” is a very nice tribute to the great guitarist Wes Montgomery, written by the drummer Gashford Guillaume. The song is played on the Nago rhythm reinforced by a jazz waltz. Bourjolly plays the guitar with such feeling and Jean-Pierre's inspiration is right on the money. Listen to the seamless transition from Bourjolly to Jean-Pierre and the latter's soulful melodic lines. This is nice music. Philippe Charles' bass lines fit just right to enhance the song. Another beautiful melody is tune No. 4 Karimah, written by Bourjolly for his daughter. You can feel all the love and the tenderness coming out of the melody. Tune No. 5 is a pretty ballad, which poses a particularly challenge for musicians. Listen to the transition and try to keep the time. There is a particularly odd beat that is not easy to pick up (at least for guys like me). I had to follow the drum and count carefully to be able to understand it. This is an example of all the work that went into the writing of these songs. Tune No. 6 features the singing of the lovely Emeline Michel and what a job she does on this Gashford Guillaume's composition. The music is simply divine. Just as you wondered what other treatment could be given to such a popular melody like “Complainte Paysanne”, this new arrangement is all fresh. I just love Jean-Pierre's solo which brings out his vast musical background. And what a nice bass solo by Philippe Charles! Tune No. 8 is wonderfully played on a Yanvalou rhythm, full of soul and feeling. Written by Bourjolly, it is a reflexive melody, somewhat melancholic and bringing out the romantic side of the guitarist. As we say in Haiti, Charles makes the bass talk. The CD closes with a straight ahead bebop tune called Focus. This tune confirms the strong jazz background of the group. The musicians just feel at ease with each other and the music comes outmore spontaneous. I think this is one of the top Haitian CDs released so far this year and believe me, you would be making a big mistake if you did not add it to your collection. That is why I urge you to run to your record store . You are in for an exquisite musical treat. I cannot wait for their next album.

Additional Info Mozayik ap mache wi papa !!

Location Brooklyn, NY - USA

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