The Jazz Créole Festival brought the sounds and traditions of the Caribbean to Elmont, giving the community a night of live music while raising money to support children in Haiti.
The festival was held Aug. 22 at The Vault Café, a Haitian-owned venue in Elmont. It marked the first time the annual festival was held indoors, with organizers also using the event to support The Vault as it reopened following renovations. Kedner Stiven started the festival in August 2008 in Queens Village, New York. The event was originally called the Haitian Summer Jazz Festival, but about three years ago, Stiven changed the name to the Jazz Créole Festival because he wanted to open it up to more Caribbean communities.
“I want everyone to be involved,” Stiven said.
For Stiven, the festival is a way to keep cultural traditions alive. He said the event focuses on the roots of Caribbean culture and the influence of Africa and Haiti, particularly through music, food, dance and fashion.
The festival does not use the same performers every year. Stiven said he chooses a new lineup each time, usually selecting between seven and 12 artists.
“Every year is different, different setup, different colors,” Stiven said. “So we do differently, so people can be curious.”
This year’s performers included Shedly Abraham, Ludwine Jo, Melly Sings, Jean Max Valcourt, Bobby Raymond, Bono, Martine Marseille, Monvelyno Alexis and Jean Ernst Pierre.
Marjorie Dejour, co-founder of the Kedner Stiven Foundation, said the festival gives audiences the opportunity to see artists whose careers extend well beyond New York.
“They are international artists,” Dejour said. “They perform all around the world.”
The music continued after the main festival with an after-party hosted by DJ Max Appeal. He played kompa and other Caribbean music, along with R&B, until 2 a.m. Stiven said the after-party was added in recent years to give younger people and adults a reason to stay later.
The festival was held outdoors the previous year, but organizers decided to move inside this year.
“We wanted to support them with their reopening,” Dejour said.
Admission was $50, and attendees could also purchase food and drinks. Stiven said the admission fee helped raise money for the foundation, especially after the previous year’s free event brought in less funding.
The Kedner Stiven Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2015. Its work includes operating a school in Haiti that provides free education and food for more than 250 children.
Stiven said that mission is at the heart of the festival.
“This is very important for us,” he said. “We want the support.”
Stiven and Dejour also host “Caribbean Mixed,” a radio show dedicated to Caribbean culture that airs Wednesdays from 8 to 10 p.m. on 90.3 WHPC. The program can also be heard through NCCRadio.org, TuneIn, iHeart and the 90.3 WHPC app.
