Bahamian trumpeter and Juilliard alum Giveton Gelin has announced the upcoming release of his sophomore album, ISLAND DREAMER: III OF III, arriving on July 10 in celebration of Bahamas Independence Day. The 17-song jazz set to be released on Island Dreamer Records includes selections from his limited-edition, five-piece vinyl box set, ISLAND DREAMER ALBUM TRILOGY, slated for release this fall. 

 

The album features five-time GRAMMY® Award winner Jon Batiste, alongside moving voice-note interludes from Giveton’s late and living mentors: Adrian D’Aguilar, Roy Hargrove, and Wynton Marsalis.

 

Giveton explains the album’s universal appeal: “ISLAND DREAMER is not just for jazz lovers, nor is it only for those from the Caribbean—it is for everyone willing to open themselves to a story that speaks to adversity and the act of overcoming it. This is one of the most universal human experiences we share. Beyond resilience, the album explores the full spectrum of emotion. We are all human; we feel deeply, at different times, and walk completely different life paths—but that diversity is precisely what unites us.”

 

Album highlights include:

● “I SOLEMNLY SWEAR TO LIVE” – A beautifully somber testament to the unwavering will to live a life worth living. Jon Batiste provides the perfect, intimate piano accompaniment.

● “WHEN YOU CRY I CRY” – An anthemic reinterpretation of Kingston dancehall reggae group T.O.K.’s 2005 hit “Footprints (When You Cry).” The song’s theme centers on a mother mourning the loss of her son, who was fatally shot during a trip to the grocery store. This song pulls at the heartstrings while evoking a deep sense of nostalgia for many listeners.

● “BLUE HOLE” – A brilliant homage to the vast underwater sinkholes of the Bahamas. The track uses Gelin’s serene trumpet and his layered percussion to masterfully mimic a deep-sea descent.

● “TAKE A BOW” – Drawn to his Caribbean connection with Barbadian pop star Rihanna, Giveton reimagined the singer’s global hit as an emotive instrumental, which has recently served as his signature show-closer.

 

To offer listeners a deeper context into the new music, Giveton has also released the ISLAND DREAMER SONGBOOK I. Available now on Amazon, the 145-page book chronicles his journey from the Bahamas to Lincoln Center, sharing personal photographs alongside the sheet music for 31 songs from the forthcoming limited-edition, five-piece vinyl box set, ISLAND DREAMER ALBUM TRILOGY.

 

Turning creative vision into community impact, Giveton raised $176,000 by selling two exclusive, custom early box set versions of the album to an anonymous buyer. These funds cover the album's production costs and also support his Island Dreamer Academy, an arts mentor program benefiting Bahamian youth.

 

III OF III is the follow-up to Giveton’s critically acclaimed 2020 debut album, True Design, which featured collaborations with his Juilliard classmates.

ISLAND DREAMER: III OF III track list:

1. HURRICANE DORIAN (a moment of silence)

2. BLUE HOLE (III OF III CUT)

3. ADRIAN D’AGUILAR - LEVEL I

4. WHEN YOU CRY I CRY (FOOTPRINTS) / THEME B

5. MOUN LAKAY

6. GET LOOSE

7. ROY HARGROVE - LEVEL II

8. I SOLEMNLY SWEAR TO LIVE feat. JON BATISTE

9. DREAMLAND

10. WE SPEAK

11. TAKE A BOW

12. EARGASM/GAME OVER

13. WYNTON MARSALIS - LEVEL III

14. EARGASM

15. ANCESTRY

16. PLACE OF ETERNITY

17. FIGHTING SPIRIT BLUES

 

About Giveton Gelin

 

Juilliard-trained trumpeter Giveton Gelin began his musical journey at age five in his father’s church and began playing the trumpet at 10. A Bahamian-Haitian artist, Gelin released his acclaimed debut, True Design, in 2020 and was featured on Jon Batiste’s GRAMMY®-winning We Are. He is an in-demand musician whose rigorous global touring schedule keeps him constantly on the road, performing at major venues and festivals worldwide. Through his Island Dreamer Academy, he works to empower the next generation of artists, blending Caribbean heritage with the intellectual depth of the jazz tradition.