sMiLes
11.11.2025 - BasH! Village Records
Freedom in Every Note
One might almost say that Jowee BasH! Omicil comes from another planet—or at least from a world where genres have no boundaries; but springboards into freedom. The Canadian-Haitian musician, composer, and life philosopher is a true musical polymath, whose virtuosity and imagination extend across saxophones, clarinets, flutes, pocket trumpet, Rhodes, piano, voice and more. Every note is an expression of his boundless creativity; every instrument, an extension of his free spirit.
A Manifesto of Authenticity
sMiLes, Jowee’s 11th.album, is a manifesto of uncompromising authenticity. It celebrates personal expression, the beauty of imperfection, and the courage to take risks. What might first appear as a rebellious tapestry reveals itself as a clear declaration of limitless freedom and happiness — the red thread running through all of his work. Jowee is a liberator of sounds, minds, and hearts. Being true to oneself and trusting in one’s instincts are the ingredients that allow us to embrace ourselves and others. From this, Freedom and Peace emerge.
The album opens with a homage to Abbey Lincoln’s “Throw it Away”, a call to let go, for the truth to be told. From there, Jowee unfolds a universe across eleven tracks plus a bonus piece, taking listeners on a musical journey through the imaginary worlds: Cabo Verde, 52nd Street NY, the voodoo drums of Haiti, the cosmic echoes of an open mic session and many more. Each note embodies his philosophy of “Trust The Note”, from the very first sound to the final track, “SHouLd I sMiLe?”, a duet with award-winning vocalist Dominique Fils-Aimé, a pure jewel. Jowee pays tribute to Roy Hargrove, nods to Wayne Shorter, bows to Miles Davis and yet remains unmistakably himself: never imitating, always innovating.
“Miles taught us to be fearless, to embrace imperfection, and to trust the moment,” says Jowee. “sMiLes continues that Conversation - a celebration of Freedom in it’s Truest ArT Form.”
Breaking Rules, Opening Spaces
Some artists don’t just change music - they change the way we hear it. They break rules, invent new languages and open new spaces. Jowee BasH! Omicil carries that spark within him. sMiLes is not a conventional tribute to the great pioneers: no imitation, no backward glance. It is what happens when freedom takes the command and the music asks: “What’s next?”
Additional Information 11 tracks + 1, 11 Months:
The release of the album is unconventional. Over the course of 11 months, The PoDBasH!, Jowee’s own podcast, accompanied all 11 tracks and offered intimate insights into the BasH! Galaxy. On 11.11.2025, this journey will reach its pinnacle with the full album release - an experience as unique as the Artist himself.
Alongside the feature of Canadian-Haitian Dominique Fils-Aimé, the album is enriched by remarkable Musicians. Moroccan singer Malika Zarra lends her voice to “SHorTer Way To MarraKecH”, while Ludovic Louis brings his signature trumpet sound to “BeaT CoiN aka WaLTz For RH”. With “LeTTre Du MALi PouR JonaTHan”, Jowee offers a surprising solo piano Rendition. Jowee finally meets Miles like a child meets a dream in track number 11. Spirits speak, space breathes and silence becomes music. It is one of the album’s most unusual and innovative pieces, and there is only one thing left to do: Listen, and hear the future unfold in the present.
PRESS VOICES
BEST OF SELECTION
„Beautiful.“ – China Moses, Jazz FM
„Musical activiste.“ – Rolling Stone
„Omicil knows how to nourish those who listen.“ – Alain Brunet, Panm360
„The incandescent Canadian-Haitian multi-instrumentalist, singer, and composer pays tribute to Miles Davis.“ – FIP
„A unique musical experience.“ – France Inter
„A jiggling, otherworldly soundscape of organically tactile acoustic jazz, FX-affected sampladelica, skronky R&B, tribal grooves, and blowsy wine-bar blues.“ – Jazz Times
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„Jazz discovery of the Year!“ – DLF Kultur
„A real energy boost.“ – ORF1
„A vibrant labyrinth of jazz and Afro-Haitian traditions with masterful ease.“ – JazzHalo
„A rollercoaster of intensity.“ – Critique de Salon
„The themes are rich, the references diverse.“ – Le Devoir
„Omicil pushes the boundaries of jazz with rare freedom, drawing from a rich tapestry of influences.“ – Claire Diboa, Africa Radio
„Jowee Omicil composes music like a prayer, powerful enough to free the mind – a sound of black power and white magic, where struggle and comfort go hand in hand, and a smile is still the most powerful weapon.“
„The smile remains the most powerful weapon.“ – France Inter
„A unique, inspired sound that reflects multiple worlds. Omicil takes Miles Davis on a grand musical journey.“ – RFI
„Jazz – are you sure? Omicil doesn’t just play jazz. He tears it apart, rebuilds it, makes it sing in Creole, groove in hip-hop, and pray in Vodou—all in a single breath. sMiLes, his eleventh punch, is bright, direct, and hits straight to the plexus. And yes, there’s a nod to… Miles. Luminous. This new work, full of freshness, reflects his pursuit of musical freedom and his ability to turn every note into a story, every album into a journey. Instantly enjoyable compositions range from Miles Convoy, with its video game soundtrack vibe, to the sun-drenched pop tones of Okap to Mindelo.“ – Rolling Stone
„BasH is another planet; it’s also a party, but a big, spectacular one! BasH celebrates its message, and, incidentally, itself. The best way to understand BasH is to experience it in action. BasH no longer needs to cast a shadow – it’s already present, in the person of Jowee Omicil. Some say his world is immersive, a full dive into an extended reality—his new album, his pedagogical vision, his artistry. But beware: everything is a journey.“ – Jazzthetik Coverstory
„As virtuosic as he is versatile, he unleashes the ease of a musician drawing inspiration from every continent.“ – Le Temps
„Much of Jowee Omicil’s Odisei saxophone work on sMiLes has the feel of Rouse settling in with Monk, just as his pinched, emotive sax-squeal and honk conjures the feeling of the later Rouse. (…) reminiscent of what would happen if Ryuichi Sakamoto wrote the Peanuts holiday music scores instead of Vince Guaraldi.“ – Jazz Times
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„sMiLes is the name of the Haitian-Canadian sax player and composer Jowee Omicil’s new album… you can definitely sense Miles’ influence.“ — WNYC
„Jowee Omicil rose from the dust in search of the secret box. With boundless imagination and musical dreams, he discovered his armor—a fusion of genres, from pop to electronic, infused with Afro-Caribbean influences.“ — France Inter
„Jowee Omicil composes music like a prayer, powerful enough to free the mind – a sound of black power and white magic, where struggle and comfort go hand in hand, and a smile is still the most powerful weapon.“ — France Inter
„The album is an eclectic jazz ride with some choice guests and throws in some tropical vibes as well…“ — Slow Music Movement
"No more bowing to professional demands. That is why, starting in December 2024, he chose to release one track every month, like a single (“times have changed, haven’t they?”), as he had unsuccessfully proposed at the start of his career in France. Each time, he pairs it with a podcast. And every Sunday, he posts on social media what he calls the Sunday Bash, a brief exhortation reminiscent of his father’s sermons on the Lord’s Day." — Liberation
"Jowee has also innovated with a monthly release of singles, each accompanied by a podcast. “Jazz is conservative. I wanted to surprise people,” he says. “Why not release a single every month, with a story and an 11-minute podcast? Each track has its own visual, its own narrative.” This approach has won over both fans and programmers." — Rolling Stone
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Background Photo by Yann Zitouni