Haitian-American jazz saxophonist drops ‘Psalms and Proverbs’

Haitian-American, GRAMMY-nominated jazz saxophonist Godwin Louis will soon rejoice with his sophomore album “Psalms and Proverbs” (Blue Room Music).

The album, a jazzy deep dive into religious traditions across the world, is being released globally on Friday, Aug. 23.

“Whether in Africa or the Americas, the hymn and the playing of music are central to worship and praise in any number of religious traditions,” Louis told Caribbean Life on Monday. 

“This album explores that nexus and carries on the tradition of sacred music and its influence on jazz — the music steeped in the sounds of West Africa, the Caribbean, the United States and Europe — in what I hope are new and exciting ways for audiences,” he added. 

Born in Harlem of Haitian heritage, and raised in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, and Bridgeport, Connecticut, Louis was a saxophone protégé. 

Soon, he began his meteoric rise to stages across the globe, with studies and performances with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Al Foster, Billy Preston, Patti LaBelle, Toni Braxton, Prince, Babyface, Madonna, Barry Harris, Howard Shore, Mulatu Astatke and Wynton Marsalis, among others. 

Now, Louis is not only a top performer but also an assistant professor at the Berklee College of Music.

In addition, he teaches at the summer camp of the nonprofit BackCountry Jazz. 

Louis has also been at the forefront of bringing music education to Haiti and Africa.

In “Psalms and Proverbs”, Louis explores the universality and joy of sacred music, drawing on religious musical traditions around the world, including his Haitian roots – Haiti being where European, African and native traditions converged to create the roots of jazz. 

The disc includes gospel and liturgical music from West African Ewe and Beninois sources, as well as 16th-century French composer Claude Goudimel (for a beautiful sax-trumpet duet); the Scottish-Anglican hymn “Abide with Me”; and compositions Louis wrote in collaboration with several ministers, including his late father, the Rev. Marcel Louis — Psalms 23 Part II (“I Shall Fear No Evil)” and “Psalms 23 Part III (Surely Goodness and Mercy)”.

Maturing on the scene in New Orleans, Boston, New York and beyond, Louis is a composer-arranger-virtuoso soloist who got his start on saxophone at age 9. 

A Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Saxophone competition finalist, a 2024 GRAMMY nominee (for arrangements on singer Cécile McLorin Salvant’s Mélusine), and a Berklee College of Music woodwinds professor, he is regarded as “a man of devoutly lyrical imagination”, as demonstrated in “Psalms and Proverbs”.

Louis said core members of his Global Band return for “Psalms and Proverbs”, including brassman Billy Buss, pianist Axel Tosca, organist Johnny Mercier, drummer Obed Calvaire, percussionist Markus Schwartz, bassist Hogyu Hwang and vocalist Melissa Stylianou. 

Trinidadian-born trumpet star Etienne Charles partners with Louis in the frontline on the opening “Showers of Blessings/Kplolanyuiade” and “Pelo Malo.” 

Louis said “Psalms and Proverbs” also showcases vocal-focused tracks, featuring the talents of acclaimed world stars. 

Louis has enlisted both Xiomara Laugart, known as the “Voice of Cuba,” and two-time GRAMMY Award-nominated artist Lea Lórien – both appearing on “Pelo Malo (Bad Hair),” an uncompromising, at first troubled but ultimately affirming resolution of the complex conversation about hair texture that has plagued generations of Afro-Latino and other Black communities. 

On “Psalms and Proverbs”, produced by Louis, Calvaire and Chan Jung, Louis introduces Lècokpon, a bright Benin artist, and, on several tracks, Stylianou, a singer-songwriter with five albums as a leader and member of the vocal trio Duchess.

Louis also harmonizes with Haitian-American songstress Pauline Jean, who steps out dramatically on “Psalms 6”. 

“Psalms and Proverbs” can be preordered now at https://orcd.co/godwinlouis or on Aug. 23 at Spotify, iTunes, Tidal, Deezer and Amazon, among others.