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). His academic influence is extensive; he has served as a Visiting Professor of Musicology and Ethnomusicology at the State University of Haiti since 2021 and is the Director of the Polyvocal Research Laboratory, New York. Additionally, he is an Associate Researcher at IReMus (Institut de recherche en musicologie : Paris-Sorbonne University, CNRS).
His scholarly contributions include three definitive books:
VoCe – The Colors in My Head (Polyvocal Publishing, January 2026).
De la musique des natifs caraïbéens à la naissance du Gwoka. Regard sur l’histoire musicale en Guadeloupe-Bibliographie commentée Documents imprimés, manuscrits, musiques (1635 à 1848) (Pointe-à-Pitre: Éd. Neg Mawon, July 2023) — notably the first annotated bibliography on the music of Guadeloupe.
Santiman et lokans dans le Gwoka: Deux esthétiques musicales inhérentes à l’histoire de la Guadeloupe (Paris: Éd. Delatour, January 2021).
Dr. Sitson’s 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. His new project has just been nominated for the Cubadisco Awards (often referred to as the Cuban Grammys) in the “International Collaboration” category. 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 on-air sound branding for France 3 TV.
- 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. His leadership in the global cultural landscape is further solidified by several recent high-level appointments:
• Member of the Expert Roster, International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF), 2026–
• Regional Delegate for the Contemporary Diaspora in North America for the African Music Academy (AMA), 2026–
• Member of the Board of Directors at the African Music Library, Chicago, 2025–
• Fulbright Specialist Roster Member, June 2023–
He is also a member of prestigious organizations including the 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, and Société française d’ethnomusicologie, continuing to redefine the expressive possibilities of the human voice for a global audience.