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| Jazz Group Riyel to Perform at 2nd Annual Haitian Jazz Festival During the 1st week of March, Ken Watters' new Haitian jazz octet Riyel will give several performances at various venues throughout Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Riyel (meaning “backstreet" or “alleyway" in Haitian Kreyol) is made up of several of the country's foremost musicians, including Yves Abel (bass), Ralph Conde (guitar), Robenson Jean-Baptiste (drums) & several others. Sharing the front line alongside trumpeter Ken Watters is trombonist & trilingual vocalist Andre Atkins. Atkins' performance/recording credits include Aretha Franklin, Tabou Combo, Soulive, Spoon, David Murray & most of the Marsalis family, to name just a few. Ken Watters is a Summit recording artist, SESAC-affiliated jazz composer & Conn-Selmer (Bach) trumpet artist. RIYEL is his newest musical venture & is a musical collaboration with bassist Yves Abel & trombonist Andre Atkins. Their debut CD will be released internationally on Summit Records late this spring. The band is 75% Haitian & 25% American, resulting in a heavily “roots / voodoo" oriented group sound, while remaining well-grounded in the jazz tradition at the same time... write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Jazz News :: home page |