"Mama Madeleine" – 10 Creole-Caribbean piano pieces
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
My new piano sheet music book , "Mama Madeleine," will be released on December 10th. In recent years, I've frequently been asked if my Creole-Caribbean compositions are also available as sheet music – after concerts, workshops, or when someone has heard one of the pieces on YouTube.
This constant demand was an important impetus for me to finally publish the first ten pieces of this musical genre in printed form.
The Creole soundscape – where everything comes together
Creole music possesses a fascinating blend of lightness and depth. Rhythms from West Africa, melodies from Europe, and influences from the Caribbean and Louisiana are interwoven in it like in almost no other style.
What particularly touches me about this music is the tension between:
Dance and stillness
Rhythm and Melancholy
Grounding and openness
Many pieces have a warm, narrative character; they feel both familiar and foreign, light-footed yet steeped in history. This balance has greatly influenced my own approach to Creole music.
What distinguishes the pieces of “Mama Madeleine - 10 Creole-Caribbean Piano Pieces”
The ten selected pieces reflect this Creole mixture: catchy melodies, rhythmic patterns such as Tresillo and Habanera, ostinato basses, syncopated lines and harmonic colors that shimmer between major, minor and Mixolydian.
It was important to me to compose pieces that:
are very playable
sound authentic
have fun
Awaken curiosity about this style world
and yet have musical depth
Who is this music book suitable for?
The pieces range from easy to moderately difficult (difficulty level 2–4) . This makes them ideal for:
advanced beginners who want to expand their style
Pianists who combine jazz, classical and folk music
Teaching situations and workshops
Players who enjoy atmospheric, melodic miniatures
all those who wish to integrate the Creole sound into their playing practice
Audio samples – complete playlist on YouTube
I've recorded a full audio example for each of the 10 Creole-Caribbean piano pieces. This will allow you to get a direct feel for the sound, tempo, style, and character.
Price, shipping & pre-order
The sheet music is available here in the shop: www.janluley.de/shop
Price: €22.40, as a physical music book
Shipping: included within Germany
Price digital download: €12.00
Why “Mama Madeleine”?
The title "Mama Madeleine" is, for me, a symbol of this music: warm, colorful, rhythmically clear, and at the same time full of gentleness. It represents the character of the pieces I have selected for this book – music that tells stories without needing words.
In conclusion
With Mama Madeleine – Ten Creole-Caribbean Piano Pieces, I want to open up a soundscape that often receives too little attention: Creole music between the Caribbean and Louisiana, translated to the piano. I am very happy to be able to share this book with you now – and I am curious to hear how the pieces sound and feel to you.
