Dominican-born and Italian-trained singer, marie-claire Giraud, is to be honored this Saturday by the Williamsbridge branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
The honour will form part of group’s celebration of Women’s History Month.
marie-claire will be recognized for her extraordinary accomplishments and service to the community.
“marie-claire is a singer without limitation who is accomplished in several genres and we say bravo to her and welcome her into the group of honorees,” event host and President of the Westbridge NAACP, Julian McDavid, said.
marie-claire is well known in the US and Caribbean Jazz circuit.
She is a regular act at New York Jazz hot spots Farafina Café and Lounge and the Metropolitan Room.
She has performed throughout the New York City area including representing the borough of the Bronx as a finalist at the 2013 Battle of the Boroughs and performing the American national anthem at a New York Nets vs. Detroit Pistons basketball game in the newly built Barclays centre in Brooklyn.
In January 2014, famed American composer, John Harbison, gave the singer four unique compositions to which she is currently penning lyrics.
The Pulitzer Prize award-winning Harbison said he was “priviledged” to compose music for marie-claire who he described as “an abundantly talented singer” possessing “a genuine contralto voice and magnetic stage presence.”
In the Caribbean she has performed at several festivals and concerts including Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival (Jamaica), Love is all we Need Concert (Antigua), Jazz on the Green (St. Vincent) and le Voces de Jazz Festival (Columbia).
marie-claire was born in Dominica but moved to the Bronx with her family at the age of four.
However, she has returned to the island to explore her family and musical roots.
While on island she hosted and produced a video countdown show and spearheaded and co-organized the Year of the Child Concert series.
Prior to making her operatic debut at Carnegie Hall, marie-claire was classically trained at the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome and still continues to perfect her vocal instrument.
She has to-date released an album entitled ‘dreamland’ which features the operatic versions of well-known Reggae songs “dreamland” and “rasta man chant” (featuring Spragga Benz), as well as “Constellation,” a song penned for her by famous Jamaican singer/songwriter Bob Andy.
Counselor has made a point .Clearly there is a a connection with the issues which made her father a “bettte noire” among the “haters” of her dad which would obviously impact negatively on her and affect her accepatnce in certain circles on this Island ….as per her craft.
Interestingly on the return of her dad from Detention in the USA it was a feisty Marie Claire who had the gumption and fibre to directly take on the Leadership of the Labour Government who had then decided to abandon connection and close ranks to her DAD.
She continued as an ambassador to the locally based ‘ ALL SAINTS medical University due to their issues to function and grow here and was the contact person for the introduction of that University in ST.VINCENT as an alternative through her connection with the leadership there .
This medical school is now the fastest growing offshore University in the Caribbean .
Hence possibly her feeling the need to move on and return to the USA …
I wish her well in her new resurgence
Throught the caribbean i can rest assure that Dominica is the one that holds the most uneducated fools. you all crying down your own but was praising and artist from jamaica who is own country disowned because of his wrong doings.
I believe that it was important for DNO to say who are her parents because this is the only way that some people are going to be able to identify her. For example, I knew that she is a Giraud but did not know who her father was or is until, the former Prime Minster said it is Julian Giraud. From that moment a light bulb went up in my head because i played with her as a child while she lived on Valley Road her as a little with her parents. This is over 40 years ago.
congrats to u may god bless u
Come on people! Kidding here! This is not even the national chapter of the NAACP. I have lived in that Bronx neighborhood for nearly 40 years and that organization has no significance in the community. It’s virtually unheard of. I’m not against people being recognized for their contribution, but this bears little prominence or status. Sorry Ms. Giraud. This lacks merit to those of us who really know better. This seems to be a copy cat to the Dcan nurse getting honored at Jacobi the other day.
Its the multiple that make the whole. The many leaves that form the branch, the many branches that are part of the tree.. In unity there is strength and it is because of local NAACP groups such as these that Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks etc. could accomplish all that they did. This may not have ‘prominence’ or ‘status’ to you but I am sure that marie-claire feels honored none the less to be recognized by a little organisation with such a large and illustrious legacy. Hope you use the rest of your time in the area to get to know the NAACP and become a part of this small organisation’s development.
what have you done for your country. shame on you. this is where DNO needs to delete these comments.
I don’t doubt that the young lady is talented. I don’t know anything about her. I’ve never heard her sing and I certainly don’t challenge her talent. But I unabashedly stand by my comment about the Williamsbridge NAACP — this honor is glorified posturing from an organization that’s not impactful in the community.
What a display of jealousy !!! As far as i’m concerned, she is helping to put D/ca on the map. What have you done for your island? You ought to be ashamed of that coment.
The article and the commants do have a partcular underlying message from O.J which we should address . This young lady – -Giraud was in Dominca for some years –resident at Massarce area in her mother,s property and was largely ignored by all, despite several efforts coming out of huge talent and well educated preparation . She left in disappoitment when ignored by all for all the wrong reasons .
There are several Dominicans with special gifts who have been victims of the “haters” delight in the DA infatuation of bringing down those who tower in talent skills and capaciities
Dominca has been the grave yard for progressive people ‘ and this may be a call to look into the miiror
Gordon Henderson is a case in point who left a thriving career in NEW YORK and PARIS only to contend with HATERS when he arrived here
Dr George Daniel HARVARD trained was left in the dustbin of” haters ‘ and his only recourse was to lie low in Dominica ….Dr Hilroy Castor founding professor of the STATE COLLEGE who was used at the inception and became prey to the HATERS .
Swinburne Lestrade the former OECS Secretary General and saviour of Dominica aduring the econmic crisis of the Pierre Charles Administartion fell under the Haters knife ..
The several prominent Domincans in the Diaspora disregared ignored and with no honourable mentiion including Crispin Gregoire .. other DOCTORS LAWYERS PROFESSORS AND SCIENTISTS
Maybe WE NEED TO HAVE DNO carry a weekly story on enterprising Dominicans here and abroad
This may replace the filth of absurd ity which passes for useful comments on political matters solely
I agree wholeheartedly with the above statement. I can attest to the fact that I have seen Marie Claire perform here in Dominica even at shows I had to sing at “Year of the Child’ for one and many people complained that her voice was not for the Dominican market and she should go elsewhere cause people don’t want to hear that. I applaud her for her efforts and wish to follow in the same direction: sourcing a market with fans who welcome me. There are people here who give artistes support but we have some real haters. It is a shame!
marie-claire congratulations. I feel proud that you have received this award. Let nothing stop you. God is your guide. Stay strong.
Am I reading this correctly ? The part where she has performed in so many Caribbean States and the USA and never in Dominica and she is Dominican … We have jazz fest WCMF and more of which we boast …I am sure i missed something. Just an observation!!!
She has performed at Creole in the Park
She has performed at a lot of shows in Dominica which she had to be part of organizing herself but was never put on big shows like the festival? Many of our artistes suffer the same fate. They have to migrate to be great! She did reggae shows I know in her opera voice in reggae style. Extremely creative I must admit after witnessing it. Marie Claire, keep doing what you do best. Congratulations!
well the unmentioned “Who cares a hoot” writer confirms that we do have haters …the truth is we can only contribute in numbers on line on political positions . hence the early few comments .where dfid this’ labour ‘ matter slip in ..keep the politics out .. and the language !”get the hell back clown” etc is a hate display and misplaced in the Oliver contribution in recognising good talent . Our entire life should not guided by
political issues ..The girl was in DOMINICA FOR A LONG TIME ..never at CREOLE FESTIVAL haters ?? and was not recognised— returns for a few years to NEW YORK and voila!!!!
great for Dominica her birth place and indeed her dominican parents whoever they are irresepective of their political prefernces !!!Great Marie Claire !
CONGRATS CLAIRE! CLAIRE! well its no surprise u have always been my star! keep up the good works darling
Marie Claire.. You are a diaspora and Dominicans will treat you like a Foreigner ask our DA artist living over seas. You wont be recognised in Dominica my girl. Anyway congrats on your award !
Listened to you on the television and just knew that you would go places with this special voice and talent. continue to be patient the doors are beginning to open big things are coming your way. Just remain humble and focus and you will reap what you have been sowing. CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER!!!
Congrats Child of Dominica……may many more Blessing and accolades follow you and overtake you throughout your life…..
This is awesome, congrats what a wonderful achievement.
Admin. I there a reason every time i read Marie- Claire, Marie begins with a small m?
ADMIN: That is how she spells her name.
bravo.H20!
this is wonderful
Bigup my friend mc
Good stuff my girl. Dominica is very proud of you and your achievements. While some of us take the pleasure in spreading bad news, let us indulge in this great achievement. You are making your homeland very proud.
Congrats! I remember her performance on Marpin. I was impressed. Good luck for a great future ahead.
That music business is a hard business. I hope she can make a living doing that, but I doubt it. Hubby go look after the bills.
Congratulations to you my dear.
Flowers are deserved while you have life, continue to florish and help ,make your homeland DA proud.
So very proud of you and your accomplishments!
Association of Colored people? what do they mean by that?
so how come she was never invited to world creole music festival. Its a shame how we treat our own sometimes. I guess is the same story with Nasio fountain.
Congrats Marie-Claire!
The DNO regulars do no appreciate articles like this. There is nobody to bash; therefore, they show no interest.
Good good news. Boy I like dat!!! Congrats my girl.
And you are also ‘sooo down to earth’ (humble)
Bravo, bravo! Continue to make us and your family proud.
great job love jazz got to come see you perform
Great stuff!
seem comments are few when success is illuminated…
Julien Giraud,s daughters are certainly making their dad proud despite a very hostile agenda of his naysayers …
congrats Marie Claire maybe one day the haters here will invite you as a dominican to perform at the Creole FESTIVAL…
Great range and repertoire…unusual voice and terrific personality!
did this make national radio /tv local news ?
You did excite at Fort Young some years ago..
Remember prophets have no honour in their own homeland
Apprecaite
OJ, keep it simple. Congratulate the young lady if you will, but that keep that “hater” nonsense to yourself. It diminishes both the accolade and you.
Oliver, excellent observation but I take issue with you on one thing. Unfortunately, there are Dominicans like me who have never heard of this person, so perhaps outlets like DDA and others can showcase her particularly if she is of the soil.
Also, if I may use your words that “prophets have no honor in their own homeland” is nothing new to us Dominicans we are guilty of that practice from time immemorial. Do you have any suggestions for us as a nation moving forward?
What all that have to do with Marie-Claire getting an award? Who gives a hoot if is Juliens’ daughter, then she should be flooded with messages since he is a labour stalwart. You see how warped your argument is? Where are the haters? For all you know the messages haven’t been posted. This woman will tell you herself she is well loved by Dominicans so fall the heck back clown. Get that chip off your shoulder. Some of you are just cantankerous and ignorant.
congrats claire
WELL done Marie! we in d.a never appreciate our own uv been doing great things its time for the worldddd to kno!