Judette Elliston (they/she) is a Haitian-Canadian vocalist, composer, and sound artist based in Brooklyn, New York. Their work focuses on amplifying our inner worlds; exploring the emotional and ancestral histories that reverberate within. Through song, they hold space for listeners to engage in collective remembering, self-exploration, and ultimately move towards healing. Their music draws from the improvisational spirit of jazz, singer-songwriter storytelling styles, and the rich rhythmic and harmonic traditions of Haitian folkloric music.

In solo and collaborative settings, Elliston cultivates a dynamic interplay between logic and instinct, crafting visceral sonic experiences that resonate with both performers and listeners alike. Most recently, Elliston recorded Tiny, a chamber jazz EP featuring themself (voice), Samantha Feliciano (harp), Lucas Saur (cello) and Odin Scherer (guitar) set for release in 2024. Through a seamless blend of lyricism and improvisation, Elliston crafts a musical portrait of their early childhood, creating compositions that are both intimate and infinite. Other vehicles for their original music include their experimental songwriting duo Estuary with pianist PJ Fossum and their piano score for Reminiscence (dir. Federica Borlenghi) - a theatre performance project exploring the experience of 6 international women living in New York City.

Outside of their work as a composer, Elliston has a deep love for interpreting Haitian folkloric music in their solo and small ensemble projects. Their interpretations use unconventional instrumentation and jazz influences to convey Elliston’s experience as a Haitian in the diaspora. In July 2023, they recorded this repertoire with Charles Goold (drums, percussion) and Odin Scherer (guitar) at The Looking Glass Arts.

An active bandleader and side-person, Elliston has performed at venues and festivals such as Lincoln Center (USA), Smalls Jazz Club (USA), Ornithology Jazz Club (USA), MAI/SON (CANADA) and The Victoria Jazz Festival (CANADA). Elliston holds a BFA with Honors in Jazz and Contemporary Music from The New School and has studied with renowned artists such as Anaïs Maviel, Ingrid Jensen, Reggie Workman, and Jane Ira Bloom. Institutions that have recognized and supported Elliston's artistry include: The Shoshana Foundation, The Prairie Ronde Artist Residency, FABnyc, Downtown Art, Looking Glass Arts, The Kirkland Arts Center, and Garrett on The Green.