 | |
For the past 23 years, Jan Sebon! has been an authentic presence in the South Florida arts scene. As poet, musician, and media personality, this charismatic artist continues to define the Haitian experience with unique voice, based on his own life experiences and culture.
In 1985, Sebon! founded the cultural band KAZAK, and worked with other renowned artists – among them Jayne Cortez, Adrian Castro and Nil Lara – to produce poetry readings, festivals, and other cultural events, all while maintaining an active solo performance schedule. He has appeared at the Miami International Book Fair with Mutabaruka, at the Stephen Talkhouse’s Word(s)ound, and has performed on many occasions with The Bicycle Poets. In 1997, his poem “I Would Like To Know” was featured in Having a Wonderful Time, an anthology of works by contemporary South Florida writers published by Simon and Schuster.
As a man of words, it was inevitable that Sebon! would host a radio show for five years on National Public Radio’s WLRN that featured his original poetry, short stories, and political commentaries. His broadcasting career continued with the long-running world music and poetry show “Mundo Vibe” on Miami’s WDNA.
Sebon!’s involvement with music has been lifelong - he has played classical guitar, djembe’s and percussions and composed music since his childhood in Haiti, and has formally studied West African drumming. Currently a “adjunct” music teacher at the Design and Architecture Senior High School in Miami, he regularly appears in schools, libraries, fairs, festivals and community centers to perform traditional Haitian rhythms, songs and stories. Sebon! has also been featured as a soloist with world-renowned musicians including Don Cherry, Nana Vasconselos, and the Urban Bush Women, and is a featured vocalist and performer on two CDs, Kafrik’s “Sou Do Ras La” and “Caribbean Percussion Traditions in Miami”, a compilation released in 1999 by the Historical Museum of Southern Florida. His group KAZAK’s unique fusion of Rasin (Haitian Roots music), jazz, political commentary, and electric stage presence led it to be voted “Best Haitian Band” in the Miami New Times for three consecutive years, as well as garnering awards for its educational programs. Sebon!’s current band, KAZAK International, continues this tradition of excitement and excellence. Under his artistic direction, their virtuosity encompasses Caribbean and West African as well as classical and jazz forms and styles, which delights and enthralls audiences everywhere with unexpected visceral and evocative listening experiences.
| |
|  |
|
