Colette Michaan – Earth Rebirth (Creatrix Music, 2023)
Colette Michaan’s latest musical offering, Earth Rebirth, is an enchanting Latin Jazz album featuring superb flute work. As a first-generation American with Egyptian-Syrian heritage, Michaan draws inspiration from a diverse range of world music traditions, including those from North and West Africa, Cuba, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. In this particular project, the spotlight is on Latin Jazz, complemented by the exceptional skills of talented Hispanic musicians from the Caribbean and South America, providing stellar rhythmic support and exquisite piano.
Michaan’s musical career began at the age of 12 when she was captivated by an Eric Dolphy flute solo on the radio, setting the course for her love affair with the instrument. Immersing herself in the works of jazz and Latin flute players such as Eric Dolphy, James Moody, Hubert Laws, and others, Michaan cultivated a unique musical identity. Her experiences during the late 1970s significantly contributed to her musical education, and it was in the mid-1980s that she fell in love with Cuban traditions of son and charanga.
With a career spanning since the late 1970s, Michaan has performed internationally with her band and collaborated with various artists. Beyond her solo work, she has contributed to albums with notable musicians like Harry Whitaker, Kaissa, and Richard Bona. Michaan’s approach to recording reflects a mix of original compositions and classic pieces, driven by her intention to create beauty infused with emotion and passion.
Her multicultural background and extensive travels have further enriched her musical palette, with experiences playing alongside musicians from diverse regions, including Northern Thailand, Sumatra, Borneo, India, Indonesia, Senegal, Morocco, the West Indies, and Cuba. Michaan emphasizes the power of the arts to transcend borders, connecting people through the universal language of music.
Michaan’s presence has graced festivals and venues globally, from the Jazz Yatra Festival in India to the St. Louis Jazz Festival in Senegal, the Cairo Jazz Club in Egypt, and performances in Morocco, California, and more. Locally in New York City, she has left an indelible mark with performances at renowned establishments like the Village Vanguard, SOB’s, Gonzalez and Gonzalez, and various other clubs.
Her commitment to music education is evident through her role as an adjunct faculty member at the New School in New York City from 1999 to 2002.
Musicians: Colette Michaan (USA) on flute; Leo Genovese (Argentina) on keyboards; John Benitez (Puerto Rico) on bass; Luisito Quintero (Venezuela) on percussion; Yusnier Sánchez Bustamante (Cuba) on percussion.
Author: Iliana Cabrera
