Jean-Jacques was born in Dominica at Soufrière in July 1960, but immigrated to England as a child, where he attended Aylestone High School.
[2] Following good performances at minor counties level, Jean-Jacques was signed by Derbyshire.
[3] On his first-class debut against Yorkshire at Sheffield in the 1986 County Championship, he batted at number eleven and made 73, sharing in a Derbyshire record-partnership for the tenth-wicket of 132 with Alan Hill, a record which remains as of 2025.
They found themselves short of fast bowling options as Malcolm Marshall came toward the end of his career.
With only the experienced Cardigan Connor to otherwise lead the attack, Hampshire signed Jean-Jacques.