Kreyòl Roots was founded by Gerald 'Toto' Alfred, the former lead guitarist of the renowned Haitian roots band Boukman Eksperyans. With over twenty years of experience touring and collaborating with Boukman Eksperyans, Toto played a pivotal role in writing and arranging many of their songs, which went on to become legendary hits in his native Haiti.
Gerald 'Toto' Alfred
Lead Guitar; Bass; Vocals (Haiti)
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Toto is one of the most talented guitarists to come out of Haiti. He has been playing guitar since he was a teen and is one of the most sought after guest guitarist in whatever city he visits. Toto played lead guitar for the acclaimed Haitian roots band Boukman Eksperyans for the past 20 years. However, he has always wanted to expand his immense musical interests and in his quest to find the right musicians, came to Chicago to form Kreyol Roots. His vision was to take a group of awesome musicians with various musical backgrounds and form a new group with a fresh sound. |
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Krissy
Lead and Back-up Vocals (Haiti)
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Krissy is an accomplished vocalist who is a new face on the Chicago music scene. She has already performed at Chicago venues such as Reggies, The Wild Hare, Millennium Park, The DuSable Museum of African Arts and various other establishments where she gained rave reviews. Once you hear her beautiful voice, you will be coming back for more.
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GUEST ARTISTS and FORMER MEMBERS
In Memory of Parish Hicks
November 14, 1961 - April 26, 2017
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Joshua Farayola
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MAURICE J. CARR (Reese)
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Miranda
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Coulibaly Wenegue (Willie)
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Isaiah
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Michael Annang
Drums and Percussion (Ghana)
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Michael was born in Accra, Ghana. He knew early in life that music was his passion. He has been playing drums since he was a child. He is well known in Ghana for his wicket skills and has toured Europe playing for musicians such as Kojo Antwi and Ozimzim Band. He came to the States in 2001 and has played with various Roots and World groups in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland. He drummed for the popular reggae band Hydro out of Chicago for several years and still is playing with various World and reggae music acts in and out of the area. Paapa Michael just recently joined Kreyòl Roots and his extensive knowledge of traditional and modern African drum beats him a perfect fit with the music of Kreyòl Roots. |
SARAH EXANTUS:
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France Jean-Baptiste
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Sarah, who resides in Haiti, is a guest chanteuse of Kreyòl Roots. Sarah has a lot of range in her voice and has been working with Toto Alfred, guitarist of Kreyol Roots, on the more jazzy tunes Kreyòl Roots performs. For the past year Sarah and Toto have been playing small venues in Haiti whenever he visits his home town of Carrefour. Sarah and Toto recorded the new song "Mwen Ak To Jean" this past August 2014 which is available for download on ITunes, Spotify, and various other media outlets. Sarah is a native of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti and is studying law in Haiti.
Margaret Rainey
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Clement Julien
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For over 15 years France Jean-Baptiste, this multi-talented native Chicagoan has been involved in the entertainment industry. She is an accomplished singer and actress. Her Haitian French heritage and life experiences infuse her music and stage presence with unparalleled feeling, body and soul. Her voice has been described as a diamond in the rough. She brings a big, rich energetic sound that audiences really respond to. You feel the emotion.
Starting her career with musical theater, she was told by a stage manager that she sounded very much like Etta James. After getting booked to play Etta James at the Black Ensemble Theater, the show ran for nine months and she was featured on several Chicago TV and radio stations. More Here
Starting her career with musical theater, she was told by a stage manager that she sounded very much like Etta James. After getting booked to play Etta James at the Black Ensemble Theater, the show ran for nine months and she was featured on several Chicago TV and radio stations. More Here
Ernst Tines Albert
Percussion (Haiti)
Dominique Louis
Drums/Percussion (Haiti)
Juneau 'Gino' J. Francois
Percussion; Back-up Vocals (Haiti)
Gino's passion for music is undeniable. Gino started concentrating on learning to play Haitian percussion instruments, including the gong, which have a unique sound and rhythm. Haitian music, without the distinctive sound of Haitian percussion, is like spending a rainy day at the beach. Gino has to keep the rhythm going and the crowd dancing!
B1 black $wagga (Jean)
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Daniel (Rambo) Asamoah
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Deline
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Peterson Occeant
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