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About Me:: Born of a long-running musical relationship & friendship that developed during their still-active tenure with Haitian supergroup Tabou Combo, trumpeter Ken Watters, bassist Yves Abel & trombonist / vocalist Andre Atkins formed the Haitian-Caribbean / Roots inspired jazz ensemble RIYEL (pronounced ree-YELL, meaning “backstreet” or “alley” in Haitian Creole) roughly a year ago.
To great anticipation throughout the Caribbean, the band is slated to release their self-titled debut CD internationally on Summit Records in April 2010.

Sharing the front line are Watters & Atkins, while Abel (unquestionably one of the most influential bassists in the Caribbean) steadfastly drives, guides & anchors the band, yet emerges often as an equally mesmerizing soloist as well…

In addition to being a full member of Tabou Combo for the past 14 years, Andre Atkins has an impressive resume, having performed, toured, or recorded extensively with Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, George Benson, Luther Vandross, Wynton & Branford Marsalis, Joshua Redman, David Linx, Boys to Men, Roy Hargrove, Charles Mingus Band, Seiji Osawa, Yo Yo Ma, Soulive, Spoon, Jocelyne Beroard, Magnum Band, Jacques Schwarz-Bart & can be heard in the official soundtracks of films such as Work It Out (starring Beyonce), Money Train (starring Wesley Snipes & Woody Harrelson) & Deep Blue Sea (recorded with L.L. Cool J.). Andre’s unique trombone voice & approach to music in general contributes greatly to RIYEL’s unmistakable band sound…

Members of the band include some of the most respected names in the Caribbean & Haitian music worlds. Supporting musicians featured on RIYEL’s debut CD are Haitian guitar gurus Dadou Pasquet, Ralph Conde & Dener Ceide. Keyboardists / pianists include world-renowned Haitian jazz pianist Mushy Widmaier, The Salsa music world’s most recorded pianist / keyboardist Abel Pabon & Kevin Bales, full-time pianist with the Lincoln Center Jazz Quintet, guitar legend Earl Klugh’s band & Grammy-nominated vocalist Rene Marie’s steady quartet.
The percussion section includes a “who’s who” of the Caribbean music world, namely Frantz Timothe’, Reginald Petit-Homme & Andrew Atkinson (drums), Alix Nozille, Yves Joseph (AKA Tabou Combo’s “Fanfan”) & Bendji Allonce (congas) & percussionists Berman Andre, Frantz Timothe’ & Wid Pierre.

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