Let the voice of Kreyol Jazz resonate!
Let us unite around a name that brings us together
On the occasion of the conference organized by Fondation Haïti Jazz on April 29, 2025, on the theme “Kreyol Jazz: Multiple Identities, One Market, One Musical Category,” we, professionals representing different functions within the music sector and various territories connected to the Creole worlds, agreed that a common designation would contribute to the integration of this genre into the global music market.
For us, Kreyol Jazz refers to all musical expressions born from the encounter between the fundamental elements of jazz (harmony, structure, improvisation) and the music of the Creole worlds: powerful rhythms, distinctive melodic languages, and modes of expression rooted in the Creole cultures of the Caribbean, Africa, the Indian Ocean, and beyond.
Far from seeking to reduce or standardize the diversity of these expressions, we wish for the name Kreyol Jazz to become a living, open and plural banner, reflecting the diversity of Creole territories themselves. It would make it possible to group together these musical forms—now fused with jazz (Biguine Jazz, Calypso Jazz, Caribbean Jazz, Jazz Ka, Maloya Jazz, Vodou Jazz, etc.)—and give them strength and visibility.
We are convinced that this designation allows artists who carry this living memory, deeply rooted in the very history of jazz, to claim their uniqueness, to escape vague labels that obscure their narrative, and to name themselves in order to proudly affirm their shared heritage. At the same time, it can serve as a structuring tool for the genre, clarifying our rich and diverse universe for programmers, festivals, media and digital platforms that require stable and codified categories. We believe that the designation Kreyol Jazz offers artists greater visibility while strengthening their collective positioning: a name is also a key to artistic and commercial recognition.
At the conclusion of these discussions, the term Kreyol Jazz—with a K and a Y—was validated as the common banner of the genre. This choice, the result of extensive debate, took into account digital indexing considerations, the risk of confusion with Creole Jazz from New Orleans, and various spelling alternatives. It embodies a process of self-definition, lexical reappropriation, and an affirmation of a rooted yet forward-looking diversity.
Together, let us make Kreyol Jazz a voice that matters, a name that unites, a banner carried with pride across the world.
Become a signatory of this manifesto to affirm your belonging to the broader Kreyol Jazz movement. By doing so, you commit to using this designation to describe your music in all your public and professional communication. You also commit to making it known, disseminating and promoting it within your networks, and to supporting initiatives aimed at its recognition, structuring, and presence at national, regional and international levels.
By joining the movement, you help to: • build a visible, exportable, and rooted genre; • connect our territories and musical scenes; • affirm that our Creole languages and sounds fully belong in today’s global jazz landscape.
Join the movement: ✍️ Sign this manifesto and send it back to us at info@papjazzhaiti.org
🎶 With every release, every post, every live performance, declare your genre: #KreyolJazz 🌐 Use the hashtag #KreyolJazz in your profiles and metadata 📲 Follow us: @kreyoljazzconnexion 🔗 More information: www.kreyoljazz.com (coming soon)
Together, let us amplify our voices.
