Band Members
Eddy B
Eddy Bourjolly
Guitarist
Eddy Bourjolly has been known in the jazz music circles in Brooklyn (and beyond) for many years now, and while his name was already familiar to Haitian jazz connoisseurs, the Mozayik CDs have done much to reveal Eddy's talents as a guitarist, arranger and composer to a wider audience.
Eddy was born in Haiti, and drawn to music from an early age - he first picked up the harmonica at the tender age of 6. One of his idols during his childhood was Haitian accordionist Richard Duroseau who of Nemours Jean-Batiste's band. Nemours is one of the founders of Konpa (popular Haitian dance music), and Richard Duroseau 's flawless technique, rhythm and his ability to improvise interesting melodies caught Eddy's attention. Young Bourjolly's dream was to be just like Richard.
Eddy moved to the U.S. at age 10. Graduating from junior high school, Eddy received an accordion as a gift and decided to pursue his dream of becoming a virtuoso on the instrument. Fate played a hand, the accordion was stolen, and Eddy gravitated towards the guitar due to its accessibility and affordability.
Eddy began to practice and study the guitar diligently, beginning with commercial and popular music. His first exposure to jazz was through Haitian guitarist Alix "Tit" Pascal, well-known in the Haitian community from the group Ibo Combo, and for his musical knowledge and technical skills on the guitar. Alix introduced Eddy to the music of Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis among many others… Eddy later went on to perform and record (on keyboards!) with Alix Pascal's groundbreaking Haitian jazz group "Ayizan".
Eddy's first performance as a jazz guitarist took place in the early 80's with Brooklyn saxophonist Jeff King. Other musical activities have included gigs with: Roland Alexander; Rafeek Raheem; Eric Wyatt; Alix Pascal; Marvin Sewell; Emeline Michel; Deidre Murray; Charenee Wade; Grassella Oliphant; Tracey Mothershed; Robert Gill; Heavenly Citizens; Sylvia Cuenca; Jorge Sylvester; Grant Langsford; Montez Coleman; Quentin Franklyn; John Ore; Donna Cumberbatch; Patsy Grant; Joe Ashlar; Lance Bryant; Isaac Ben Ayala; Steve Neil; Carla Cooke; Keisha St. Joan; Arthur Rhames and Sam Furnace.
Eddy's discography to date includes:
Kouidor
Ayizan
Heavenly Citizens
Eric Paul
Zin
Eddy Brisseaux
Robert St Fleur
Raynold Duverglas
Gifrantz
Eddy was born in Haiti, and drawn to music from an early age - he first picked up the harmonica at the tender age of 6. One of his idols during his childhood was Haitian accordionist Richard Duroseau who of Nemours Jean-Batiste's band. Nemours is one of the founders of Konpa (popular Haitian dance music), and Richard Duroseau 's flawless technique, rhythm and his ability to improvise interesting melodies caught Eddy's attention. Young Bourjolly's dream was to be just like Richard.
Eddy moved to the U.S. at age 10. Graduating from junior high school, Eddy received an accordion as a gift and decided to pursue his dream of becoming a virtuoso on the instrument. Fate played a hand, the accordion was stolen, and Eddy gravitated towards the guitar due to its accessibility and affordability.
Eddy began to practice and study the guitar diligently, beginning with commercial and popular music. His first exposure to jazz was through Haitian guitarist Alix "Tit" Pascal, well-known in the Haitian community from the group Ibo Combo, and for his musical knowledge and technical skills on the guitar. Alix introduced Eddy to the music of Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis among many others… Eddy later went on to perform and record (on keyboards!) with Alix Pascal's groundbreaking Haitian jazz group "Ayizan".
Eddy's first performance as a jazz guitarist took place in the early 80's with Brooklyn saxophonist Jeff King. Other musical activities have included gigs with: Roland Alexander; Rafeek Raheem; Eric Wyatt; Alix Pascal; Marvin Sewell; Emeline Michel; Deidre Murray; Charenee Wade; Grassella Oliphant; Tracey Mothershed; Robert Gill; Heavenly Citizens; Sylvia Cuenca; Jorge Sylvester; Grant Langsford; Montez Coleman; Quentin Franklyn; John Ore; Donna Cumberbatch; Patsy Grant; Joe Ashlar; Lance Bryant; Isaac Ben Ayala; Steve Neil; Carla Cooke; Keisha St. Joan; Arthur Rhames and Sam Furnace.
Eddy's discography to date includes:
Kouidor
Ayizan
Heavenly Citizens
Eric Paul
Zin
Eddy Brisseaux
Robert St Fleur
Raynold Duverglas
Gifrantz
Email: Eddy@mozayik.com
Gashford Guillaume
Drummer
Gashford Guillaume lives in a legacy of music. A music maker for over twenty years, his finely tuned drumming and song writing style has opened a new chapter in world music – a style that fuses traditional Haitian rhythms with the smooth, syncopated beats of one of the world’s most beloved art forms: Jazz. A close listen will also reveal Funk, Pop, R&B, Brazilian, traditional Jazz, Haitian Folklore and Gospel influences.
The Brooklyn native’s ascent into the world of music has been swift. In high school, Gashford was a member of The Edward R. Murrow H.S Jazz band and then later went on to play at different venues around New York City. He has gone on to perform with such Haitian superstars as Emeline Michel and Beethova Obas. Working in the studio for numerous labels and producers as well as regular gigs have taken him on tours and to festivals in places such as Amsterdam, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Haiti, Cuba, St, Lucia, Martinique and many cities around the United States.
Gashford’s musical influence has been felt far and wide. He has played with artists such as; James Germain, Eric Virgal, Orlane, Eddy Brissaux, Chardavoine, Gifrants, Yanick Etien, Felina Backer, Claude Aurelien, Michael Philips, Revelation, Lataye, Tjovi Ginen, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Calyn, Morena, The Altino Brothers, Jephte Guillaume and the Tet Kale Orkestra, Illogical Poetry, Eric Mcdaniels, Dickson Guillaume & the New York State Haitian Interdenominational Mass Choir, Jowee Omicil, Buyu Ambroise & the Blues in Red Band. (To name a few.)
Currently, Gashford is at the epicenter of a rapidly growing Haitian Jazz Movement. As a founding member of ‘Mozayik” in 2000, Gashford and the members of Mozayik have quickly made a name for themselves, doing much towards re-establishing the genre of Haitian Jazz. The band has released two critically acclaimed CDs receiving international airplay, Mozayik was subsequently signed to the Grammy-winning Zoho Music jazz label. Mozayik has also performed in jazz festivals in Cuba, Haiti, New York City and Miami, and the band continues to be at the forefront of the Haitian jazz scene in New York City and beyond. Continuing his passionate commitment to supporting the Haitian jazz genre, in October 2005, Gashford teamed up with John “Papa Jube” Altino (VP of SOB’S in NYC) to present the first annual “Haitian Jazz Music Festival” to a sold-out house at SOBs. Created as a vehicle to bring exposure to the diverse talents of the multi-generational Haitian jazz community, as well as to recognize Haiti’s connection and contribution to the creation and evolution of the jazz genre as a whole, the Haitian Jazz movement continues to grow in scope and popularity.
The Brooklyn native’s ascent into the world of music has been swift. In high school, Gashford was a member of The Edward R. Murrow H.S Jazz band and then later went on to play at different venues around New York City. He has gone on to perform with such Haitian superstars as Emeline Michel and Beethova Obas. Working in the studio for numerous labels and producers as well as regular gigs have taken him on tours and to festivals in places such as Amsterdam, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Haiti, Cuba, St, Lucia, Martinique and many cities around the United States.
Gashford’s musical influence has been felt far and wide. He has played with artists such as; James Germain, Eric Virgal, Orlane, Eddy Brissaux, Chardavoine, Gifrants, Yanick Etien, Felina Backer, Claude Aurelien, Michael Philips, Revelation, Lataye, Tjovi Ginen, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Calyn, Morena, The Altino Brothers, Jephte Guillaume and the Tet Kale Orkestra, Illogical Poetry, Eric Mcdaniels, Dickson Guillaume & the New York State Haitian Interdenominational Mass Choir, Jowee Omicil, Buyu Ambroise & the Blues in Red Band. (To name a few.)
Currently, Gashford is at the epicenter of a rapidly growing Haitian Jazz Movement. As a founding member of ‘Mozayik” in 2000, Gashford and the members of Mozayik have quickly made a name for themselves, doing much towards re-establishing the genre of Haitian Jazz. The band has released two critically acclaimed CDs receiving international airplay, Mozayik was subsequently signed to the Grammy-winning Zoho Music jazz label. Mozayik has also performed in jazz festivals in Cuba, Haiti, New York City and Miami, and the band continues to be at the forefront of the Haitian jazz scene in New York City and beyond. Continuing his passionate commitment to supporting the Haitian jazz genre, in October 2005, Gashford teamed up with John “Papa Jube” Altino (VP of SOB’S in NYC) to present the first annual “Haitian Jazz Music Festival” to a sold-out house at SOBs. Created as a vehicle to bring exposure to the diverse talents of the multi-generational Haitian jazz community, as well as to recognize Haiti’s connection and contribution to the creation and evolution of the jazz genre as a whole, the Haitian Jazz movement continues to grow in scope and popularity.
Email: Gashford@mozayik.com
Gene Torres
Electric Bassist
Gene Torres was born and raised in Brooklyn NY. Originally from Fort Greene, now residing in Bayridge. Gene picked up the bass at age fifteen and has not put it down since. He started out playing R&B (Motown, Stax, Atlantic, etc.) then moved on to funk (James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, Earth, Wind and Fire, etc). The first group that he played with was called Paranoid. Paranoid was awarded the third best band in Brooklyn. At that time most of the bands had horns and it was no exception not to.
Paranoid stayed together for about Six years, which Gene was a part of for five years. After leaving, Gene started freelancing and getting exposed to many styles of music. The majority of the musicians he played with were much older and more experienced, therefore, they were like mentors to him. Gene needed to bring his musicianship to a higher level. Jazz music was challenging for him and he felt it was like speaking another language. After many bumps and bruises along the way, Jazz started to make sense to him. Still, formal training was necessary. Gene studied at NYC music schools: Jazz mobile, Brooklyn Conservatory Of Music, The Muse & Lynn Oliver's. In addition to studying at these schools, Gene felt that private lessons would help him better reach his musical goals, thus started to receive training from instructors such as Bob Willams, Ritchie Hart, Ken Hatfield, Charlie Banacos (correspondence course) and Paul Caputo (whom he's still studying with today).
Gene's first major recording was playing on the James Mason, Rhythm Of Life album (1977). To this day its in the top 100 in England and is a collectors item. It started a whole music revolution (Acid Jazz) in England with Sade and a wide variety of other English groups. Today, Gene at any given day, can be playing from Hip-Hop to Bebop, with a little rock thrown in. Now not only playing bass, but writing, producing, music editing, music notation (Finale), teaching privately and in a school.
Some of the people Gene has had the pleasure of playing and or recording with runs the gamut of music styles, for example: Ben E. King, Public Enemy, Yousef Lateef, Chico O'Farrel's Afro-Cuban Big band at Birdland. Ernie Marcelin of Taboo Combo, La Bamba and the Hubcaps, Andy Williams, Southside Johnny, The Mighty Sparrow's Christmas Show at Brooklyn College, Ted Curson at the Blue Note Late Nite Jam Session, The Weather Girls, The Chiffons (at the Apollo Theatre), Chambers Brothers, Jonathan Butler, Tony Cedras (keyboardist with Paul Simon), Jennifer Holiday, Noo Voodoo, Mark Pender (of the Conan O'Brian Show, opening up for the BT Express). Fred Ho (Vampire Opera) Petey Pablo of Jive Records, Gucci Man (Me & You single), Danny Mixon, Ty Stephens, Pee Wee Ellis, Nat Adderley Jr, Richard Cummings, Bobbie Humphrey, Ronnie Laws, Winner Of the 2010 McDonalds Gospel Fest with The East Flatbush Ecumenical Choir.
Gene’s Endorsements :
* Walter Woods Amps
* Harry Kolbe Soundsmith
* Speaker cabinets
* Overwater Basses
Paranoid stayed together for about Six years, which Gene was a part of for five years. After leaving, Gene started freelancing and getting exposed to many styles of music. The majority of the musicians he played with were much older and more experienced, therefore, they were like mentors to him. Gene needed to bring his musicianship to a higher level. Jazz music was challenging for him and he felt it was like speaking another language. After many bumps and bruises along the way, Jazz started to make sense to him. Still, formal training was necessary. Gene studied at NYC music schools: Jazz mobile, Brooklyn Conservatory Of Music, The Muse & Lynn Oliver's. In addition to studying at these schools, Gene felt that private lessons would help him better reach his musical goals, thus started to receive training from instructors such as Bob Willams, Ritchie Hart, Ken Hatfield, Charlie Banacos (correspondence course) and Paul Caputo (whom he's still studying with today).
Gene's first major recording was playing on the James Mason, Rhythm Of Life album (1977). To this day its in the top 100 in England and is a collectors item. It started a whole music revolution (Acid Jazz) in England with Sade and a wide variety of other English groups. Today, Gene at any given day, can be playing from Hip-Hop to Bebop, with a little rock thrown in. Now not only playing bass, but writing, producing, music editing, music notation (Finale), teaching privately and in a school.
Some of the people Gene has had the pleasure of playing and or recording with runs the gamut of music styles, for example: Ben E. King, Public Enemy, Yousef Lateef, Chico O'Farrel's Afro-Cuban Big band at Birdland. Ernie Marcelin of Taboo Combo, La Bamba and the Hubcaps, Andy Williams, Southside Johnny, The Mighty Sparrow's Christmas Show at Brooklyn College, Ted Curson at the Blue Note Late Nite Jam Session, The Weather Girls, The Chiffons (at the Apollo Theatre), Chambers Brothers, Jonathan Butler, Tony Cedras (keyboardist with Paul Simon), Jennifer Holiday, Noo Voodoo, Mark Pender (of the Conan O'Brian Show, opening up for the BT Express). Fred Ho (Vampire Opera) Petey Pablo of Jive Records, Gucci Man (Me & You single), Danny Mixon, Ty Stephens, Pee Wee Ellis, Nat Adderley Jr, Richard Cummings, Bobbie Humphrey, Ronnie Laws, Winner Of the 2010 McDonalds Gospel Fest with The East Flatbush Ecumenical Choir.
Gene’s Endorsements :
* Walter Woods Amps
* Harry Kolbe Soundsmith
* Speaker cabinets
* Overwater Basses
Email: Gene@mozayik.com
