Congratulations and huge welcome to James Germain [Photo], new resident at Maison Édouard Glissant / Édouard Glissant House, from August 17th, 2026.
James Germain, born in 1968, Port-au-Prince (HT), with albinism, is an iconic Haitian singer and composer. Trained in operatic singing from a young age in Haiti and later honing his craft at the Paris Conservatory (FR), he has forged a unique musical identity at the crossroads of classical and traditional music. Drawing inspiration from the sacred repertoire of Haitian Vodou, he reimagines these ancestral songs by blending them with operatic flourishes, soul, gospel, and jazz. His artistic journey has also been deeply shaped by his time in Africa – particularly in Mali and Benin – where he explored the profound connections between Caribbean and African cultures to create his « Creole-Mandinka » style. Through albums such as ‘Kréol Mandingue’ and ‘Assotir’, he has established himself as a cultural memory guardian, and a voice of deep spirituality, recognized worldwide.
Residency will take place at Maison Édouard Glissant / Édouard Glissant House (Le Diamant, Martinique), a location awarded by the French Culture Ministry with the ‘illustrious house / Maison des illustres’ label.
The artist residency is supported by Direction des affaires culturelles (DAC) Martinique – Préfecture de Martinique, Institut du Tout-Monde (ITM) and Edouard Glissant Art Fund (EGAF). Thank you to Audrey Phibel, Andréa Janvier, DAC Martinique, ITM and EGAF teams.
Photo copyright: James Germain Studio and EGAF. Logo EGAF by Arthur Francietta / Bureau Blindé, based on an original drawing by Édouard Glissant.
