Album Notes

Growing up in New York City neighborhoods such as the Bronx, Harlem, and Yonkers, one would hardly be concerned with rock music on a regular basis. Indeed, surviving a world populated by drugs, crime, and poverty becomes a number one priority. It was in this same environment that Yves Jean spent most of his childhood. A son of immigrants from the impoverished Caribbean island of Haiti, Yves Jean spent most of his younger years trying to avoid the temptations of inner city life. While attempting to escape this environment Jean began to see basketball as a way out. It wasn’t until age 17 that Jean picked up a bass in order to release some of his frustrations with the violent atmosphere of his neighborhoods. Little did he know that it was music, not sports that would consume more of his adult ambitions.
After graduating the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown on a basketball scholarship, Yves decided to spend almost all of his personal savings and graduation money on a five song demo Although the money for the demo was originally earmarked for a new car the recording sessions proved a better investment The few hours spent in a recording studio in Cleveland, Ohio became a lifestyle that has lasted for six years and counting. After recording the demo and for the better part of the next three years, Yves endured numerous line-up changes while playing in any Pittsburgh area venue.
In 1999, Yves decided to enter the Graffiti rock challenge, a competition sponsored by local Pittsburgh radio stations and newspapers. The contest featured over 250 bands, with the audience deciding the winner. Yves eventually won the contest, creating a controversy over whether they were really a “rock” band because of his unique sound and style of writing. Regardless, the Yves pushed ahead and entered the studio to record what would become his debut album Been Many Days Empty. Recorded in Pittsburgh and released in 2000 the album showcased the same mix of styles that won them the Rock Challenge the previous winter. . After the album’s release, the Yves and band quickly sold 4,000 copies due in large part to their willingness to tour the Eastern U.S. to promote their sound and build a fan base. He and his band for the next five years played wherever they were asked; be it college campus, club, bar, festival, opening slot for a national act, or private function
With Yves and his bands near constant touring often led to its lineup to rotating on an all too regular basis.
When Yves found his line up , the he decided in late 2003 that it was time to record the follow up release to his 1999 debut record.
Released in 2004, and produced by Yves himself, Rise Above Your Surroundings showcases the Yves Jean band’s evolution from the first recordings in Cleveland to a more direct and concise sound. Yves had returned to his roots with straight-forward rock without forgetting his foundations in other genres such as world beat, hip-hop, and soul. Rise Above Your Surroundings, and his commitment to mixing musical genres, both will ensure t his loyal audiences will continue to grow.
to this day since then Yves has toured further and consistently in the national market of US and more impressively to the European market.

The Band has shared the stage and festivals in the US and Europe with such acts as
Sting
Faithless
Beth Hart
Annie Lennox
Jazz Mandolin Project
John Scofield
The Samples
DJ Logic
Indigenous
Virginia Coaliton(VACO)
Seal
Dave Matthews Band
John Mayer
Of a Revolution (o.a.r)
Agents Of Good Roots
Sona Dada
Fighting Gravity
Low Fidelity All-Stars
Carbon Leaf
The Clarks
Veruca Salt
Ekoostik Hookah
Guster
Martin Sexton
Ozomatli
Toots and The Maytals
Robert Bradley's Black Water Surprise