JAHFE, which means creation, was founded in 2002 by Sasha Sanon, of Haiti, and Esther Fortune (born in Miami but raised in Haiti). They both embraced their Haitian heritage and shared an interest in spiritual growth and raising cultural awareness through the strength and rhythm of their Reggae/Haitian influenced music. JAHFE is a conscious movement of young individuals that believe and sing a message of peace. Their songs create a vision of change and revolution. JAHFE has opened for bands such as Pato Banton and Inner Circle. In 2006 JAHFE performed at World Roots Festival in Bayfront Park and the Haitian Roots Festival. In 2007 JAHFE performed at 420 Festival, NSU Community Festival and closed the year with an opening spot at Steel Pulse’s New Year’s Bash.One of the founding members, Esther Fortune, has worked with Wyclef Jean and Columbia Records. She sang a duet with Wyclef in 2004 that was a tribute to Haiti. The duet was released in the Islands, France, and Canada. At 20, Esther started working as a writer and demo vocalist for BlackOut Movement (responsible for the hit single "This is Why I’m Hot." In 2005 Ky-Mani Marley heard about Esther and her work with JAHFE and asked her to collaborate with him on a few songs and also sing background vocals on his album. In 2007, Esther worked with Paul Fakourie, who has produced Lauryn Hill, Stephen Marley, and Damian Marley. Paul Fakourie was so impressed that he also used her talents for backing vocals for Gwen Stefani.Haitian born Sasha Sanon believes that spirituality and rhythm are the way to the meaning of life. Sasha’s musical journey, which started at age10, has taken him from Haiti to New York were he founded a Drum Circle in Central Park and started a roots band called Djevo, all the way east to Japan. Sasha has traveled the world spreading his passion for racial, ethnic, and cultural unity. In the summer of 1994, with the help of Africa Mondo, Sasha opened for the Rolling Stones on their Voodoo Lounge Tour. In 2000, he took a trip to Florida were he met Esther Fortune and they joined forces to create JAHFE.Sasha and Esther have persevered through the years to reform the band and see their vision progress and gain notoriety. JAHFE is conscience of current events with a special interest in Darfur and gun violence. JAHFE has performed for the Darfur Coalition for International Peace Day and is currently finishing up a song for Darfur which will be released in Africa. As for as the gun violence, JAHFE has been working with Darren A. Saunders who is shooting a documentary about the experiences of Robert Leroy Bozeman, who is a survivor of gun violence in JAHFE’S home base city of Miami. One of JAHFE’S songs, “Solution,†is featured in a chilling montage of photos and video clips in the documentary.Present day JAHFE consists of seven musicians: Sasha Sanon-vocals and percussion, Esther Fortune-vocals and percussion, Will Mills-guitar, Hunter ‘HP’ Parmentier-bass, Zach Morillo-drums, Patrick Converse-trumpet.
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