Award-winning vocal virtuoso, composer, and musicologist Dr. Gino Sitson stands as one of the most innovative forces in contemporary music. Originally from the Bamileke region of Cameroon and now based in New York City, Sitson is a descendant of the Ntontas (“players of horns”)—a lineage of musicians that informs his groundbreaking “in-between” aesthetic. Celebrating his 30th anniversary in the recording industry in 2026, Dr. Sitson has masterfully bridged the gap between the polyphonic traditions of Central Africa and the improvisational grit of American jazz.
A Scholarly Foundation & Global Artistry
Dr. Sitson’s mastery is as much intellectual as it is intuitive. He holds a PhD in Musicology from Paris-Sorbonne University (supervised by Professor Jean-Marc Chouvel) and directs the Polyvocal Research Laboratory. His scholarly contributions include two definitive books—notably the first annotated bibliography on the music of Guadeloupe (1635–1848)—and his latest musical memoir, VoCe – The Colors in My Head. His performance career is defined by a staggering four-octave range. The New York Times hailed him as “a master of vocal manipulation,” while the Los Angeles Times praised his “extraordinarily pliable voice… rich with melody, emotion, and rhythm.”
VoCe: A Landmark 10th Album
To mark three decades of artistic evolution, Dr. Sitson has released his 10th album, VoCe, recorded in Havana, Cuba. In this remarkable recording, Sitson weaves a sonic tapestry where voice, body percussion, and cello merge to form a seamless dialogue of cultures and genres. Drawing on his African heritage while blending European and Cuban influences, Sitson creates music that feels both ancient and entirely new. His voice, at times a singular force and at others harmonized into rich, layered textures, flows effortlessly between jazz improvisation and classical precision. The cello—provided by master cellist Alejandro Rodriguez—offers a soulful counterpoint, grounding the rhythmic complexity of body percussion in a meditative warmth. The album also features a special guest appearance by the renowned Afro-Cuban poet Nancy Morejón.
Notable Collaborations
Dr. Sitson’s career is a testament to his versatility, having shared stages and studios with a “who’s who” of global music icons:
- Jazz & World Luminaries: Manu Dibango, Ron Carter, Papa Wemba, Wally Badarou, John Scofield, Geri Allen, David Gilmore, Francis Cabrel, Haruko Nara, Bobby McFerrin, Frank Wess, Résidente, Ray Lema, Craig Harris, James Hurt, Antoine Roney, John William, Mario Canonge, Wallace Roney, Brice Wassy, Oliver NGoma, Exile One, Steve Potts, So Why? (featuring Youssou N’Dour), and La Compagnie Creole.
- Film & Television: He has composed scores for Betrayal (Kevin Ngooh), Blue Lotus (Dayo Ayodele), Walaande (Thierry Ntamack), and Le Goût du vin de palme (Jean-Pierre Bekolo), alongside work for Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer and La Compagnie Creole.
- Scientific & Cultural Landmarks: In 2008, he was featured in the PBS documentary The Music Instinct: Science & Song alongside Daniel Levitin, Oliver Sacks, Daniel Barenboim, and Yo-Yo Ma. He also joined Bobby McFerrin for the “Instant Opera” presentation at Carnegie Hall, where he has also performed with his own ensemble.
Humanitarian & Academic Impact
Beyond the stage, Dr. Sitson serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador to Cameroon and has been a Cultural Arts Ambassador for Miami, Florida, since 2006. He is a member of prestigious organizations including American Society for Ethnomusicology, American Musicological Society, ASCAP, Caribbean Studies Association, Chamber Music America, EthnomusiKa, IReMus / CNRS, SACEM, Society for Music Perception and Cognition, Société française d’analyse musicale, Société française d’ethnomusicologie., continuing to redefine the expressive possibilities of the human voice for a global audience.