Scholars@Duke
Jacques Pierre

Jacques Pierre

Lecturing Fellow of Romance Studies
Romance Studies
jacques.pierre@duke.edu
Campus Box 90257, Durham, NC 27708
08 Language Center, Durham, NC 27708
Office hours Wednesday and Friday:12:30 pm to 1:30 pm and by appointment (Languages 08)  

Exhibitions, Screenings, & Performances

Reliving the Memorable Haitian Concerts at Duke: Manno 2016, Tinès 2017, BélO 2018, Beethova 2019

Duke University · January 1, 2020 Thanks to these four Haitian artists for sharing their fantastic songs with Duke University and the Haitian community at the triangle (Durham, Raleigh, Greensboro). We will always remember these moments. Jacques Pierre (co-director, Haiti Lab), in his efforts to promote Haitian culture and Kreyòl language at Duke University and within Academia in the United States, has coordinated all these events. Pierre has been planning to bring more Haitian artists to Duke University to share their music, their passion, their love, and their dream for Ayiti. Mèsi pou tout kat atis sa yo ki te pataje bèl mizik pa yo ak Duke University ansanm ak kominote ayisyen an k ap viv nan triyang lan (Durham, Raleigh, Greensboro). Nou p ap janm bliye moman sa yo. Pwòf Pierre, nan jefò l ap fè pou fè powomosyon kilti ayisyen an ansanm ak lang kreyòl la nan Duke University ak nan mond akademik Etazini an, te kowòdone tout aktivite sa yo. Pierre ap planifye pou li envite lòt atis ayisyen nan Duke University pou yo vin pataje mizik yo, pasyon yo, lanmou yo ak rèv yo gen pou Ayiti. MIZIK NOU SE BOULPIK NOU! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKEuH-E8UPA

Beethova Obas in Concert

Duke University · December 4, 2019 Haitian singer-songwriter Beethova Obas visited campus on December 4, 2019 to play for the Duke community. Beethova’s songs reflect various problems Haiti has been facing for a long time as well as many countries around the world. According to Beethova, his style (CUBHABRA) is a fusion of Cuban and Haitian rhythms spiced with some Brazilian jazz notes. Jacques Pierre, co-director of Haiti Lab, seized the opportunity to host Beethova Obas. Pierre's efforts to bring Haitian culture to North Carolina, especially to Duke University has been felt through his language and culture courses, Haitian film series, special lectures on Haiti, International Creole Day Celebration, and wonderful concerts by Haitian artists. Duke University has formally offered Kreyòl classes since 2010 under Pierre's leadership. Amongst the many Haitian artists’ songs studied in Kreyòl classes, Beethova’s songs are fondly appreciated and cherished by the students for his voice, his style, and the substance of his songs. The lyrics of the concert were transcribed by Jacques Pierre (@PJacquespie). Thank you to Beethova for his willingness to clarify some of the lyrics when they were inaudible. For example, “alanguette”, is the name of an imaginary hill created by the singer. Performance

Jean Bélony (BélO) Murat in Concert

Duke University · November 30, 2018 Haitian singer-songwriter BélO visited campus on November 30, 2018 to play for the Duke community. BélO’s songs explain and reflect the problems Haiti faces as well as other countries around the world. His style is a unique fusion of pop, jazz, reggae, and Caribbean roots. Jacques Pierre, co-director of Haiti Lab, seized the opportunity to host BélO. Pierre's efforts to bring Haitian culture to NC, especially to Duke University have been felt through his language and culture courses, film series, special lectures, and wonderful concerts. Duke University has formally offered Kreyòl classes since 2010 under Pierre's leadership. Kreyòl language students used BélO songs in class and had the opportunity to converse with BélO about his style and songs. Performance

Tinès Salvant in Concert

Duke University · December 1, 2017 Tinès Salvant’s career began in 1989 when he released his first album, “Kè m chavire" ("I am deeply in love"). He is known as “the charmer of all time”. One of his most popular songs is “Malere pa chen" (“Poor people are not worthless”). The subject matter of his music ranges from love & relationships to social issues of the day. His works are treasured in the Haitian musical industry. This great performance by Tinès Salvant was the second annual Haitian concert held by Haiti Lab at Duke University. Besides teaching Haitian Creole at Duke University, Mr. Jacques Pierre (co-director of Duke Haiti Lab) organizes different events such as, Haitian Film Series, International Creole Day, Panel on linguistic situation in Haiti, and so on to make Haiti more visible in the American academic window. Please enjoy the performance by Tinès Salvant. This event was coordinated by Mr. Pierre. Video by Eric Barstow, Multimedia Director at the Franklin Humanities Institute Performance

Manno Charlemagne in Concert

Duke University · September 23, 2016 Manno Charlemagne, known to many as the Haitian Bob Marley, was an undisputed voice in the fight against the reign of Baby Doc Duvalier and those who kept real change from happening in Haiti. His songs, banned by the Duvalier regime, were clandestinely circulated on tape or passed bouch an bouch (mouth to mouth). Manno still advocates for real change while denouncing the way Haiti has been treated by the international community. Duke University's Haiti Lab at the Franklin Humanities Institute welcomed this legend to perform some of his most loved classics. Performance

Artistic Works