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Riyel's debut CD will be released internationally on Summit Records in early March 2010. Summit's library is exclusively distributed by Allegro Corporation.
Due to the unique nature of Riyel's brand of jazz, Allegro Corp. & Summit Records will also likely be collaborating with a major distributor in the French Caribbean, thus making the Kreyol CD widely available in Martinique, Guadeloupe, Dominica, French Guyana, St. Lucia, Aruba, Haiti, etc... Despite the added distribution to these key territories, this title will always remain a Summit release.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY:
Born of a long-running musical relationship & friendship that developed during their still-active tenure with Haitian supergroup Tabou Combo, trumpeter Ken Watters, bassist Yves Abel & trombonist / vocalist Andre Atkins formed the Caribbean / Roots inspired jazz ensemble RIYEL (pronounced ree-YELL, meaning “backstreet” or “alley” in Haitian Creole) roughly a year ago.
Read moreAnnouncing the Winners of the Summit "Riyel" Giveaway
Enter the Summit Records "RIYEL" Giveaway!
Ken Watters' New Haitian Jazz Group Riyel to Perform at 2nd Annual...
- Alphonse Piard, Jr. / Karijazz
Here’s another reason to send attention towards Haiti and it has nothing to do with disaster
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Both frontmen for the band are Jupiter Artists / Clicians. Between the two of us, we speak 5 languages fluently, enabling us to conduct master classes overseas as well as domestically. Trumpeter Ken Watters received his formal education from University of North Texas & Manhattan School of Music; Trombonist Andre Atkins received his BA from Berklee College of Music (Boston) Both are accomplished clinicians & are about to work with students of all levels & musical styles. Emphasis is on horn section work & jazz improvisation.