Biography

Emerging onto the world stage is HERVE, Haitian born singer, songwriter, and social activist whose voice and style pleasantly surprise the most astute as well as jaded musical ear. A sophisticated mélange of English, French, and Creole blend seamlessly with influences of French Chanson, the 90’s Alternative American Rock and 60’s Motown and Soul. He has been described as a composite of Peter Gabriel, Richie Havens and Harry Chapin. Combine all this with the likes of Jacque Brel, and Josephine Baker and voila! the audience experiences an exciting exotic blend of culture, voice and style.

Herve has performed for social activist such as Dr. Paul Farmer, founder of Partners In Health, journalist Claudia Dreyfus, activist and author Eve Ensler of One Billion Rising and Stephanie Odegard, a guardian in protecting children from child labor, all guests of the 92Y in Manhattan. He has also, performed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, The Museum of Art & Design in New York City, The Dwyer Center for the Performing Arts, Archive Global, Fonkoze, The Bitter End, The Shrine, The Ethical Cultural Society, St. Joseph College, Columbia University and the University of Miami. With a growing fan base in Europe, Herve opened for the legendary Temptations at La Cigale in Paris, and he co-performed at the legendary L'Olympia in Paris. A major highlight this year is his performance for the United Nations in honor of their 70th anniversary with his signature song Give Love backed by an orchestra and the band of Paul Simon.

Born in Port au Prince to a large extended musical family, Herve was steeped in Haiti’s traditional songs and ballads. His aunts were members of the gospel group “Les Etincelles de L’Evangile”. His cousin Samuel (Pras) Michel, was the mastermind and founder of the critically acclaimed double Grammy winning group, the Fugees. At an early age, Herve was recognized in the schools he attended as having a strong musical sense and melodic voice. He moved to the United States in 1986 at the onset of the Haitian revolt and overthrow of the Duvalier regime. He would later attend architecture school at the University of Miami in 1992. Never forgetting the richness of his own heritage and perils that continued to plague the country, Herve began writing lyrics that spoke for and to the heart and soul of Haiti.

Memories of his family and the beauty of the Haitian countryside, live in the lyrics of his songs. His second CD, Songs for Freedom, live from The Metropolitan Room in NYC, includes the beautiful and haunting song “ Round Here”, a powerful testament to the ravages of the 2010 earthquake. As a voice for the people, Herve’s lament describes the anguish felt when Haiti’s misery was met with a wartime and corporate mentality. At this time, he speaks of an image seared into the global collective that has been consistent in branding Haiti and the Haitian people for years as incompetent, dangerous and not deserving of respect. “Mr. Blue”, on the same album is a tribute to his grandfather, the embodiment of love, wisdom and dedication. In the landscape of a vast blue sky and blue ocean his grandfather wove a dream for his family as infinite as the stunning beauty that surrounded them, despite the endemic poverty. Herve’s exquisite expression in “ Give Love” advocates the words of the Dalai Lama and Jesus- who both spoke of love as the absence of judgment, a kernel of wisdom so difficult for man to achieve that we desperately need this gentle prodding in an inspirational song.

A voice for humanity; his mesmerizing style and sparkling energy, pleasantly capture and lift the audience from the mundane and carry them to that place, somewhere up there, where we all know and understand why the global fight for freedom is worth our sacrifice.