Local Band of the Month, November: Yves Jean Band

On a cool October evening under… Local Band of the Month, November: Yves Jean Band

On a cool October evening under an eclipsing moon, a 6-foot-5-inch, black man with a shaved head and goatee checks identification cards at the door to Shady Grove in Shadyside. But he’s more than a bouncer. Mid-week, he is Yves Jean the doorman. But on weekends, he is Yves Jean, front man for the Yves Jean band.

The band was formed almost by accident, it seems. Jean attended Pitt Johnstown on a basketball scholarship, and after graduation in 1997, he realized he wouldn’t be making any rebounds in the National Basketball Association. An avid bass player, Jean used his graduation money — cash that was supposed to go toward a car — on studio time. With friend and drummer Matt Vucic, Jean recorded five tracks that would be the first steps for the Yves Jean Band.

Their sound was a unique one. Looking at Jean, one might think he sounds like Barry White or Isaac Hayes. However, Jean’s voice is the total opposite.

From their inception to 2000, the band would experience what Jean describes as a “good run.” The YJB released its debut LP, Been Many Days Empty, in 1999. That same year, the group won the Graffiti Rock Challenge.

Behind Jean, the bar is crowded with Red Sox fans, some real, some faux, avidly watching game four of the World Series. But he could care less about the curse of the Bambino — one that was ultimately lifted that evening. Raised in New York City, Jean’s heart lies with the Yankees.

Jean’s New York upbringing was a challenging one. He lived in a strict Haitian house in a less-than-stellar neighborhood and was exposed to a world full of crime, drugs and degradation — vices he’d stay clear of and use as motivation for his music.

“Trouble will always follow you,” he said. “But it’s how you deal with it. In New York, everything was a learning process.”

The lessons Jean learned on the streets of the Bronx are ones that he uses to his advantage every day. He said he doesn’t care what people think of him or what obstacles are in his way. All Jeans knows is that music is his passion.

“[Music is] what I know,” he said. “If I stop, all that hard work that I put in goes to nothing.”

Stopping isn’t in the picture now, however, as earlier this year, the YJB released its second full-length album, Rise Above Your Surroundings. Produced by Jean himself, the LP is more radio-friendly than Been Many Days Empty. Jean says he endured many 15-hour days in the recording studio during the production of the album, but he says it was well worth it.

“I was actually floored by how it turned out,” Jean said, smiling.

Speaking of floored, as Jean answers questions about his music, an intoxicated man staggers out of the bar. Dressed like he just finished a shift at J.P. Morgan but smelling like Johnny Walker, the man approaches Jean.

“When do you play next?” the man slurs.

“Monday night — The World,” Jean responds.

Jean can’t help but smile as the man walks away, but he’s happy to spread the word about the YJB any way he can.

“I go to work with 100 fliers, and I leave with none,” Jean said. “I have to take down people’s e-mail addresses sometimes.”

As the pseudo-Red Sox fans pile out of the bar and the real drinkers roll in, Jean can’t wait for his show on Monday night. He hands out fliers and swaps e-mail addresses with passersby who express interest in Jean’s music.

The World Series and the eclipse are finished, but Jean’s musical career is just kicking off.

The Yves Jean Band opens for Van Hunt tonight at The World at 8 p.m. Tickets to the all-ages show are $13. For more information, call The World at (412) 642-2941 or check out the YJB Web site: www.yvesjeanband.com.