My mom, Gisele, has a voice that I usually describe as honey. She began singing as a child. The four lanquages that she spoke only made her singing able to reach more people.
Raoul Guillaume, one of Haiti's music icons and my mother, Gisele, a rising star, recorded some of Haiti's biggest hits in the 1960's like "Joseph"and "Souvenir". "Joseph" was a song the young people loved twisting to.
After leaving Haiti in 1967 due to its political climate, Gisele moved to the U.S. She has recorded several albums and has performed in conerts countless times spanning over three decades. Her songs have been enjoyed in several countries.
My mother's singing inspiration was a wonderful mix between Haitian songs of the land, French ballads, and old Spanish relics.
Her life experiences allow her to sing with understanding and emotions that are genuine and palpable.
Breaking beyond her role as a singer, Gisele began writing her own songs. These songs sound so wonderful that my brothers and sisters asssume that they are songs that everyone knows.
I wouldn't change my childhood for anything. I remember going backstage with my mother and sister, Rachel, before various concerts. My mother's beauty was familiar and unknown all at once. Here was the face we knew, but the stage makeup only enhanced her beauty.
The busy hustle and bustle behind the curtains was exciting and my sister and I would see muscians that would say hello to us. We knew our mother was special, but as kids we knew that she was special to others too.
Then the nail biting moment of mom going on stage. She would walk with a certian posture that we recognized, becuse she taught it to us.
She walks to center stage and sings. Her voice reveals so much, compassion, love, hope and strength. The faces of the people in the audience remind me of my brothers and sister's faces when we listen to her voice, but there is more.
Here in Miami, the Haitian Diaspora sees Gisele as a vibrant and alive link to their country, Haiti.
Then my mother sings"Haiti". Part of the lyrics translate to "Haiti, Haiti, I will love you for all of my life..." and you see tears, happiness, pride and love on the faces of the audience.
Instead of nail biting anxiety, Rachel and I watch with love as we see our mother almost glow with love for the audience. She owns the stage and is comfortable with being there, singing from her heart.
My mother was an advocate of Haitians in Miami, she was actively involved in many behind the scenes moments in the 1980's. She is intellligent and understands politics enough to know that the people need a louder voice than the politicians.
Today, my mother's love for Haiti remains strong. That is the country of her birth. The devastating earthquake left my mother heartbroken and asking the same questions Haitians everywhere are asking, "Why?" and "What now?"
My mother's love for Haiti and her love of helping people has feuled her. Now she is ready to help Haiti again.
~Isabelle Debrosse Hardesty
Haitian American Artist
You Tube of Gisele singing "Haiti Tete Ensemble"
Hear Gisele sing a part of "Joseph" from the 1960's! Click on the CD player and select song 10.
You Tube of Gisele singing La Vie en Rose
You Tube video of Gisele singing in Spanish.
You Tube of Gisele singing a Duet in French with Tony
Popular music and power in Haiti
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