Michael Guirand
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Mickael Guirand is the "MI" in "CARIMI", a Haitian Compas/New Generation Band. (www.carimi.com)
Mickael is the lead Singer.
Mickael Guirand had a love for music since he was a little boy in fact his heart was always in music.
"I still remember at my house, I used to fake a microphone to sing and entertain my cousins and sister" says Mickael.
His love for music took him to his school's choir where he spent 3 years.
He was also picked a few times to sing solos in recital at the St. Cecile Theater.
His interest in Kompa band really began when he met with Peter St. Louis, who heard him while he was singing and asked him join him in a band called Bigay.
They only performed twice, but he fell in love with Kompa music.
He didn't do anything serious the next few years, until he got invited by Carlo Vieux and Alex Thebaud to put a few background tracks for K-Dans.
The guys in K-Dans really liked what they heard and he became an instant member.
He spent four years with the guys, and he says that he only has good memories.
The high note of his career was when Richard Cavé invited him to sing a song called "Mouche Tonton Nwel" (Santa Claus).
It was for a contest held by Telemax (Haiti) Christmas of 94. They won first prize.
At that point Mickael realized that he could take singing seriously.
Mickael had to leave Haiti to pursue his studies in the United States.
Mickael became one of the three legs of the CARIMI project. a band consisting of 5 members:
CArlo Vieux Keys/Background Vocalist
RIchard Cave Keys/Background Vocalist
MIckael Guirand Lead Singer
Noldy Cadet Bass/Background Vocalist
Steve Desrosiers Guitar
CARIMI released their first album "Bang Bang" in July of 2001.
It took the world by surprise with new sounds, new styles, new vibes, still managing to keep it Compas.
Their first live performance was at SOB's in New York on November 9th, 2001.
Ever since, they successfully defied the Kompa world, touring in Haiti, New York, Miami, Boston and Summer 2002 Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guyana, France, each time bringing a smile to many spectators, doing what no other band has done in less then 6 months of existence.
