Joe Jacques Journey to Wholeness and Connection

Updated December 31, 2012 6:07 PM

Joe Jacques, a multi-talented musician, began life in Gonaïves, born on May 25, 1936. He completed his education in Port-au-Prince, studied in the U.S., and received his teaching certificate in 1954. Upon returning to Haiti, he taught English for 11 years.

He discovered his calling as a musician at age 36 and studied to become an accomplished musician. He portrays themes of isolation, distress, past mistakes, and inner visions that have long permeated his soulful music. His style resembles the Delta Blues, and its simplicity touches and inspires listeners. He connects with the listener on a deep, emotional plane and draws them into his world, both emotionally and physically dark. Joe Jacques has been blind from birth.

He has taken his blindness and his frustration and his loneliness, channeling it into music that is largely inaccessible, except for those chosen few. According to singer Garry Talent, he has "a different way of looking at things." Yet, paradoxically, Joe Jaques is held up as a "national hero" to many Haitians drawn to his moody and evocative songs. His powerful rendering of thoughts and emotions, springing from his affliction, strike a universal chord in his listeners and make them feel alive and grateful.

Using keyboard and accordion, he conveys his inner world of turmoil, conflict, despair, and occasionally a glimmer of hope. Recently, he has found a new horizon stretching out before him. Now at peace with his limitations, he wants to create songs of human connection and relationships between people. Joe Jacques is in a good place at last.

Joe Jacques Music Video

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