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
