Singer-songwriter, Actor, Director and multi-talented, Jean-Claude Eugène remains above all a powerful voice which decays the heat of the tropics, marries the moods of the soul and captures the essence of life. Witness compositions such as “Pwezi Twopikal”, “Aveu”, “Liberté” and “Cécilia”.
Still a student at the Collège Notre-Dame du Cap Haitien in the early 1970s, Jean-Claude Eugène already amazes lovers of theater and music with his acting and singing talents. Under the direction of the Reverend Marcel Bédard, CSC, Jean-Claude performs a wide variety of roles in plays by Dominique Hyppolite, Jacques Roumain, Racine, Molière, etc….
Having received the rudiments of music within the CND brass band, Jean-Claude continues his musical studies under the direction of several teachers, to become in 1973 the manager of cultural activities at the Notre Dame College where simultaneously he provides courses in French literature . With some fellow students and friends, Jean-Claude founded the Association des Artistes du Collège Notre-Dame (ACNDA) an artistic grouping bringing together young talents from the city of Cape Town.
Arriving in the United States in 1974, Jean-Claude studied Economics and Finance at Pace University, the New York Institute of Banking and later at Johns Hopkins University in Washington.
At the same time, he finds the time and energy to maintain a remarkable presence in the artistic world with 5 albums, countless solo shows or alongside Daniel Santos, Sparrow, Guy Durosier, Dany Glover, Harry Belafonte etc … activities we can cite:
– 5 invitations to the Yomo Toro show on the channel (Telemundo) in New-Jersey (1978-1980)
– A memorable appearance at La Place des arts de Mont-Real (1980)
– Brooklyn Academy of Music (1985)
– Several shows at Whitman Hall at Brooklyn College
– Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach (1986)
– Rex Theâtre, in Port-au-Prince (1987, 2003)
– Dade County Auditorium of Miami (1993)
– Boston Strand Theater (1985, 1987, 2000)
– Carnegie Hall from New York (2001, 2003, 2004)
– Lincoln Center, New York (2005)
– Sugar Cane Historical Park, Port-au-Prince (2008)
In addition to a regular presence in the musical world, Jean-Claude also explored the big screen in “Haitian Corner”, the first feature film by Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck. In addition, the theater has kept a special place in the heart of man.
In December 2005, Jean-Claude again demonstrated his acting skills at the Lincoln Center in New York in the musical “How Papa Noel Forgot Haiti”. In the community of Washington DC where he has lived since 1993, Jean Claude founded AThéâtre Mapou @ which, under his artistic direction, has already made a name for himself in the United States and in Canada with the performances of “Dew Governors”, “ A ntigone ”and“ Mouche Defas. It was also in Washington DC that Jean-Claude was able to polish his acting and directing skills at the Studio Theater Acting Conservatory.
Jean-Claude’s music could be defined as a marriage of West Indian rhythms and ballads on classical chords or jazz progressions from which emanates a real pleasure to listen, and the palpable visualization of the multi-dimensional universe of artist. Known across borders for his strong and harmonious voice, Jean-Claude wants to be the subtle cantor of all states of mind, and willingly stands up as a witness to everyday life. A show with Jean-Claude Eugène is always a quality show.
