Tiga Jean-Baptiste is a multi-talented and accomplished young Haitian
musician. Born into a family deeply rooted in traditional Haitian
artistic expression, Tiga is continuing his family legacy, while
embracing music of other lands. Tiga began drumming at the age beside
his father Bonga, a master of the Haitian drum. He also accompanied
Bonga playing at events throughout the Haitian countryside, learning
many different regional drumming styles. While still in his early
teens, Tiga began studying music with renowned Haitian jazz
saxophonist Thurgot Theodat from whom he quickly a learned circular
breathing technique which enhanced his playing of traditional Haitian
bamboo & tin wind instruments (called Vaksinn and koné). The technique
led Tiga to pick up a didjeridoo (a gift Bonga brought from
Australian) which Tiga has now mastered. Tiga's musical journey has
led him to the Shona Mbira from Zimbabwe. Within a few short years of
picking up the mbira, Tiga has already mastered it and gone on to
perform with two of Zimbabwe's biggest exponents of Mbira-based music:
Thomas Mapfumo and Stella Chiweshe. In his short but already
illustrious music career, Tiga has toured with Grace Jones in duo live
performances, and toured Japan with the Tet Kale Orchestra. On the
Haitian music scene, Tiga has performed and recorded with many of
Haiti's finest, including Bonga, Emeline Michel, famed Haitian dancer/
choreographer Jean-Leon Destine, Haitian jazz groups Buyu Ambroise,
Mozayik, and avant-garde guitarist Jean-Paul Bourelly. Tiga is a
teaching artist with the non-profit organization Global Kids and he is
also a featured accompanist with Pat Hall Dance and Urban Tap. Myspace Backgrounds
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