Named after one of Haiti's tallest mountains, Montréal's Mayaka was formed in 2006 by pianist David Bontemps. The quintet - which also includes percussionist/gwo ka player Cydric Féréol, guitarist and singer Jude Deslouches, bassist Anthony Cooperwood and congas player Jackson Alismé - originally blends traditional Caribbean music with contemporary jazz, Creole jazz, fusion, and classical music. Makaya gave their first performance during Montréal's Creole Festival in 2006, and have since wowed audiences everywhere, including Canada's Governor General, as part of a charity performance in 2007. A lauded debut self-titled album, comprised of 11 original compositions, was released in 2009.