The Ministry of Culture bows with emotion and respect to the memory of the great musician, Jean Jean-Pierre, who died at the age of 72. Drummer, arranger, composer, Jean Jean-Pierre left his mark on Haitian and even universal music, as a musician of the Bossa Combo, then, as a member of the legendary and immortal, Jazz des Jeunes. He also collaborated with great names in Latin American music, such as Daniel Santos and Nelson Ned. His performances with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra represent a proud moment in our musical history.

Founder and Artistic Director of the Kiskeya Orchestra which gave a wonderful concert at Carnegie Hall in New York in May 2003, Jean Jean Pierre generously put his experience at the service of musical education in Haiti.

As Patron of the first class of the National Institute of Music of Haiti (INAMUH), Jean Jean-Pierre contributed to artistic and musical education, the development of young talents and the transmission of true musical knowledge.

He is and remains an innovator, a creator of forms and rhythms in music. He remained faithful to the deep roots of our musical heritage while developing extraordinary abilities to juggle between classical music and traditional music.

The Ministry of Culture salutes the memory of this former collaborator who always shared his smile and joviality with everyone. In this painful circumstance, the Ministry expresses its most sincere condolences to Mrs. Yvrose Green, the wife of Jean Jean-Pierre, to his family, his loved ones, to the members of the Ballet Bakoulou d’Haïti, as well as to the entire Haitian cultural and artistic community in general.

IH/ iciHaiti