IT START'S WITH
An endless passion for music, for voices,
for discovery, for people, for life.
The CieL Experience combines the styles of R&B, swing, hip-hop, and traditional haitian music, rooted in the harmonies and improvisation of the American jazz tradition. Saxophonist and band leader, Claudens Louis, explores the infinite possibilities of these genres by using the different backgrounds, cultures and influences within the group to present fresh compositions and arrangements accessible to a wide range of listeners. Each piece is a personal extension of their soul and tells a story. As a collective the group has the same goal in mind at all times: to serve the music and the people listening to the best of their ability! No matter your background or taste, The CieL Experience is guaranteed to resonate well beyond the last note.
Born in Miami, FL, Haitian-American Claudens Louis is a saxophonist, educator, composer, producer and active performing artist. Louis’ love for education has led him to conducting clinics and masterclasses at several universities and music programs around the world as a teaching artist. Louis’ passion for the arts, education and his community is what has earned him his current position as the Site Director at Miami Music Project , a non-profit providing free instruments and music lessons to underserved communities in Miami, FL. He is successfully serving students in the very community he grew up in. As a performing artist, Louis’ experience includes performing in different countries as an American Music Ambassador for the U.S. Department of Educational and Cultural Affairs and performances with stellar legendary artists such as 5-time Grammy Award winner Shaun Martin of Snarky Puppy, the Snarky Puppy horn-section, Jason Derulo, Wyclef Jean, Steffon Harris, Warren Wolf, Drew Tucker, Black Violin, PostModern Jukebox’s Sarah Reich and Prince’s MonoNeon, to name a few. He has been touring the globe with a number of these legendary artists, but also as a bandleader with his own original project, The CieL Experience. He continues to impress audiences around the world with his high-energy performances, distinct style of improvisation, and original compositions.
Louis released his debut album of original works entitled “Progression” in October of 2018. Shortly after, he was featured on his second album “The New Standard” as a member of the modern jazz fusion collective, Drew Tucker and The New Standard. His latest single, “Shadows” , released on October 23rd, 2020 with his collective, The CieL Experience, has been taking the world by storm! Claudens Louis and his unique style will continue to provoke much conversation in all music circles as he elevates his stature as a versatile jazz-world music artist .
Meet The Band
Chris Patsis is a skilled professional electric and upright bassist based out of South Florida. He studied music at Florida State University where he earned a Bachelors of Music Education. Chris is also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist. At Florida State he primarily studied French Horn and played professionally while in college. After graduation focus was shifted to bass and that has taken precedence ever since.
Known as a first call bassist in a very diverse music scene, Chris is a versatile musician with a command on the bass in many genres. He has played with a plethora of bands all around Florida, as well as touring with groups in the U.S, South America, and Europe. Chris is currently a bassist and composer for several creative music projects and is in demand as a freelance bassist for a multitude of different gigs and recording sessions. On top of a very busy playing schedule, Chris also runs a private bass studio.
Born and raised in Sunrise, Florida, Elijah Gee is a talented pianist that regularly performs various venues and education systems in South Florida. He studied at Florida State University and received a BA in Commercial music and Jazz Studies. He has worked on various musicals in South Florida; The Life, Five Guys named Moe, and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. He’s been playing piano for over 13 years and his style and sound has been influenced by Brian McKnight, Andre 3000, Horace Silver, Red Garland, and Bill Evans.
He received a Silver Knights Award for his community service in providing music for the children in Kids in Distress and the Boys and Girls Club. Elijah is a competent performer and instructor in most styles and genres, including jazz, classical, salsa, reggae, musicals, rock, and electronic music. He is always willing to give back to his community, and has a strong desire to live for the love of the music he performs.
Jephthe Jean-Charles, also known as JephDrumz, was born and raised in Miami, FL. Jephthe started playing the drums at the age of 4 at several local haitian churches. By the age of 17 he started expanding his playing ability , which led him to playing for many American gospel churches. Over the years Jephthe fell in love with the drums and performing for others. After discovering his passion for the music, it inspired him to spend many hours studying the drums as well as other instruments that make up the rhythm section. Jephthe then decided to further his Music Education at Miami-Dade College where he studied both bass and drums. He learned various styles of music such as Jazz, Latin, Contemporary Jazz Fusion and more. Jephthe has now become a multi-instrumentalist in high demand, capable of holding his own on the bass as well as the drums. His influences are musicians from the very city that made him, such as David Chiverton and Harvel Nakundi but he has also been greatly influenced by other world renowned drummers/musicians such as Larnell Lewis and Thomas Pridgen to name a few.
Jose Romero was born in Venezuela, but raised in Kendall, Florida. Jose started playing music at the age of 7 years old and continued through high school, college, and today. Jose is a frequently requested trumpet player. His experience includes playing with many local bands both in the jazz scene and the Haitian Konpa scene.
DISCOGRAPHY
2022 LATE NIGHTS AT THE SITE BY THE CieL EXPERIENCE, JECKYLL MC, & DREW TUCKER
2021 P.F.Y.S.(PA FÈ YO SA) – DJ DREEZY DRE FT. KETO, TI-CLAUDE & ARDBOWTIE
2021 CALAMITY BY ALFONSO VELASCO VISIONS FT. CLAUDENS LOUIS
2021 I JUST WANT IT TO BE OVER BY EMILY ESTEFAN FT. CORY HENRY & CLAUDENS LOUIS
2020 SHADOWS BY THE CieL EXPERIENCE
2019 MONEY LOVER BY MAGDALENA BAY FT. CLAUDENS LOUIS
2019 OTAJ AN AYITI BY BILL MUTER FT. CLAUDENS LOUIS
2018 PROGRESSION
2018 MEMOIRS OF ANDREA
2018 DT+TNS BY DREW TUCKER & THE NEW STANDARD FT. CLAUDENS LOUIS
2017 NEON BY MAGDALENA BAY FT. CLAUDENS LOUIS