Acclaimed cross-genre vocalist Marie-Claire Giraud, a Dominican-American artist with a decades-long career spanning multiple performance platforms, has officially unveiled her highly anticipated new solo track “Honey Honey Baby”, which made its global debut on May 29, 2026.
Crafted with a bold, genre-blending vision, the new single pulls core inspiration from the catchy, harmony-driven sound of 1960s girl-group pop, while weaving in unexpected, sophisticated layers of classical composition, improvisational jazz, and modern contemporary music to create a one-of-a-kind listening experience. The track also features a guest appearance from legendary rock guitarist Vernon Reid, the founding frontman and lead guitarist of iconic rock outfit Living Colour, who jumped at the chance to collaborate with the versatile vocalist.
In his comments on the partnership, Reid celebrated Giraud’s rare ability to move seamlessly between disparate musical worlds, saying: “Marie-Claire is a vocalist completely at home in the divergent realms of classical, jazz, and pop music. I’m fortunate to contribute to her updated paean to 60’s ‘girl-group’ Pop.”
This single release is not an isolated project: it serves as the first preview of a larger, full-length upcoming body of work currently in development. The upcoming collection will also include a collaborative track co-written by Giraud and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Harbison, a testament to the artist’s longstanding commitment to breaking down barriers between formal classical composition and accessible popular music.
Giraud is no newcomer to the global stage, with an extensive performance resume that includes stops at some of the world’s most prestigious venues. She has graced the stage of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall twice, delivered sold-out sets at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater, and performed seven times at the United Nations General Assembly Hall. For years, she has been a fan-favorite jazz soloist at two of New York City’s most iconic jazz venues: Birdland Jazz Club and Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Most recently, she drew industry and audience attention for a well-received album listening event held at Manhattan’s Perelman Performing Arts Center ahead of the single’s launch.
Her work has already earned widespread critical acclaim, with accolades including the Intercontinental Music Award for Best Original Jazz Song for her track “Chasin’ Rainbows”, and a Silver Award from the Amadeus International Classical Music Competition. Beyond her regular New York City stages, she has performed at a wide range of high-profile institutions and spaces, including the French Consulate in New York, Spotify’s global headquarters, the Barclays Center, and iconic cabaret space 54 Below.
Beyond its musical innovation, “Honey Honey Baby” carries deeply personal meaning for Giraud, rooted in her transformative journey through the COVID-19 pandemic. The artist shared that during global lockdowns, she began therapeutic work to process long-held childhood trauma, a process that sparked profound personal and artistic growth that reshaped her approach to her work and her voice.
Giraud’s journey back to her current sound was also marked by significant vocal challenges. Early in her career, she was classified as a contralto, but later developed dysphonia, a vocal condition characterized by persistent hoarseness that threatened her ability to perform. Working closely with acclaimed vocal instructors Anthony Manoli and David L. Jones, Giraud underwent years of rehabilitative work that allowed her to reclaim her soprano range, a breakthrough that forms the emotional core of her new release.
Reflecting on the years of struggle and growth that led to “Honey Honey Baby”, Giraud said in a statement: “I have come through the fire and triumphed over insurmountable odds. This song is proof of that, it’s pure joy, and it’s time the world heard it.”
As she kicks off the rollout for her new single and continues work on her upcoming full-length project, Marie-Claire Giraud continues to build her reputation as one of the most versatile and boundary-pushing vocal artists working today, expanding her reach across classical, jazz, pop, and rock circles alike.