Bio

BROOKLYN-BORN HAITIAN AMERICAN, Goussy Célestin has studied and performed music and dance for the last two decades with such esteemed names as Ron Carter, Jimmy Heath, C. Scoby Stroman, Max Roach, Donald Byrd, Barry Harris, and Sheila Jordan both as jazz pianist and vocalist, while as a dancer, studying with Pat-Hall Smith, Jean Leon Destiné, and Camille Yarbrough. Goussy currently performs throughout the NYC-Tri state area both as a musician and dancer. She often leads her own ensemble, The C.O.R. (Catalysts Of Rhythm), which formed its residency at the Nuyorican Poets' Café in New York City. She is a member of  ASE Dance Theater Collective, a neo-folklore ensemble dedicated to the traditional/contemporary arts of the African Diaspora filtered through Haitian music and dance.  Goussy currently performs with the Ileana Santamaria Orchestra ( Mongo Santamaria), and Imo Oluko and Africa One (AfroBeat - Nigeria). In addition to wearing the many hats of a performing artist, Goussy teaches music and dance in various programs in NYC (see links page for more info).

Possessing a wide range of interests and versatility, Célestin has studied classical piano, Jazz and Latin music as well. She has performed in various productions featuring Afro-Cuban dance and folklore, as well as opening for distinguished members of the recently famed Buena Vista Social Club, Ibrahim Ferrer, and  the late Rubén Gonzalez, with Mo' Guajiro  (A NYC based traditional Cuban-Son group). 

While recently in Cuba, Goussy again, had the honor of performing with the current members of the Buena Vista Social Club, as well as performing/mentoring with members of Grupo AfroCuba de Matanzas, Yoruba Andabo and Clave Y Guaguanco. She has graced the stages of Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Del Terzo Studio at Carnegie Hall, Symphony Space, SOB's, the Knitting Factory, NJPAC, Tilles Center, Newark Symphony Space, Joe's Pub, as well as various jazz clubs in NYC ( Small's, The Blue Note, St. Nick's Pub, C-Note, Tonic, to name a few...) She has performed semi-regularly at the Jazz Gallery leading her own groups, as well as having performed duo piano with  Jazz pianist, John Hicks. Her musical work travels have included Cuba, England, Wales, Japan, internationally, and the north eastern US, nationally. This year, Goussy has recently returned from a two month solo piano/voice engagement in Nagano, Japan.

You can hear a sample of Goussy's latin piano touch on Mo' Guajiro's Pueblo Alegre CD, as well as her vocals on recordings with Kokolo, a 12-piece Afro Beat-funk unit. 

This year will mark Goussy's first recording project to release her debut CD!        (release date TBA)

Goussy's versalitity has led her towards tenures with many groups such as; Femm Nameless (AfroBeat), Retumba (Afro-Caribbean), and Beauteez 'n' Da Beat (Tap, World Movement, Jazz & Spoken Word).

Called by Peter Watrous of the NEW YORK TIMES a "renaissance woman "

Goussy Célestin bursts with talent, wearing the hats of pianist, composer, arranger, vocalist, choreographer, and dancer interchangeably and with ease. She has received favorable reviews in the New York Times, Time Out NY, and the Village Voice.

Goussy's personal mission is to stir up all her musical influences into a moving experience, incorporating Jazz elements, as well as dance influences. According to her, "Our bodies, our instruments, are all catalysts of rhythm, and we all have the original bass drum - the heart beat. This is everyone's core."

photo by John Bright

photo by Wyatt Counts