Colette Michaan

A first generation American, Native New Yorker of Egyptian-Syrian heritage, Colette Michaan is a NYC based flutist who has been influenced, inspired and musically informed by music traditions of North and West Africa, Cuba, Southeast Asia, and the Americas.

“I feel like the flute chose me and called me. At the age of 12, I heard an Eric Dolphy recording on the radio and was mesmerized by this flute solo; a seed had been planted. From then on, I immersed myself in listening, studying and transcribing the jazz and latin solos of flute players such as Eric Dolphy, James Moody, Frank Wess, Hubert Laws, Joe Farrell, Yusef Lateef, Arcaño, Richard Egües, José Fajardo, and Johnny Pacheco, who among others, continued to inspire me, as did various flute traditions from all over the world.”

During the late 70’s, Colette worked at the Village Vanguard, which was a vital time for jazz in New York. “My three and a half years at the Vanguard were a wonderful time for me; working there was a great musical education, as night after night I heard music that inspired me. It was later, in the mid 80’s that I fell in love with the Cuban traditions of Son and Charanga”.

Since the late 1970’s, Colette has been performing internationally with her own band, as well as with other artists. She has produced four albums as a bandleader (see discography). In addition, Colette has recorded with Harry Whitaker on the album “One Who Sees All Things” (2008), with Kaissa on “Looking There” (2005), and with Richard Bona on “Scenes From My Life” (1999).

“Over the years, on each of the four CD’s that I have produced, I chose to record original compositions as well as many classic compositions that I love. My intention is to create beauty, to fill the music with emotion and passion. My work is always inspired by something traditional, something original, and something new. The completion of each album has been a milestone in my ongoing process”.

“Throughout the decades, I’ve learned from many wonderful musicians and I am grateful to them”.

“I am a traveler, and I’ve always been cross cultural in my origins, history, identity, relations and resonances. Since the late 70’s, my love of playing in NYC and with local musicians wherever I travel, has always been meaningful to me and brought me to the heart of the culture. Playing music with the hill tribe musicians in Northern Thailand, Minangkabau  Saluang musicians in Sumatra, Iban tribe players in Borneo, Rajasthani desert and classical musicians in India, Suling flute players in Indonesia, Mbalax bands in Senegal, Gnawa and Andalusi music in Morocco, Calypso and Soca bands in the West Indies, and Son bands in Cuba, informed my development in so many ways. The power of the arts to engage people across borders is undeniable. I love connecting through music and being part of a creative process which lights up something in the listeners that is uplifting”. Colette

FESTIVALS, TOURS AND INTERNATIONAL VENUES

1986 Jazz Yatra Festival in New Delhi and Bombay, India, with Kenny Barron.

1995 St. Louis Jazz Festival in St. Louis, Senegal with Richard Bona, Thiosanne in Dakar with Youssou N’Dour.

2008 CaboVerde Tour with the Toi Pinto Band.

2010 The Cairo Jazz Club, Cairo, Egypt with Fathy Salama.

2012 Colette toured Morocco with her band Querencia, performing nightly for a week at the Lotus Club in Marrakech, followed by performances at the Essaouira Gnaoua Festival in Essaouira, and a collaboration with Gnaoua Maâlem Abdelkebir Merchane.

2019 In concert with Prasanna in Saratoga, California.

LOCAL GIGS in NYC

From 1999 - 2002, Colette was an adjunct faculty member of the Jazz Department at the New School in NYC.

From 2005 until 2007, she was the flutist in Radio Soleil’s “Charanga Soleil” performing at venues such as SOB’s, Gonzalez and Gonzalez, and NJPAC.

From 2007 to 2015, Colette performed weekly with “Nu’ Guajiro/Nu’DLux” co-led by Aaron Halva and Jainardo Batista at NYC clubs Oliva, Boca Chica and Cienfuegos. 

In 2012, she performed with “Flor de Toloache” co-led by Mireya Ramos and Shae Fiol at various NYC venues including El Museo del Barrio, Rockwood, and Barbes; as well as appearances on NBC and Telemundo.

From April 2017 to March 2020, Colette performed weekly at Brooklyn’s “33 Lafayette” with Chino Pons and Grupo Irek, in addition to concerts at the Jersey City Jazz Festival, Wave Hill, the Roxy, the Django and more. 

Colette has also performed at Lincoln Center out of doors, as well as at the United Nations.