#152 Markus Schwartz- Percussionist for the Lakou Brooklyn Quartet, Haitian Music Expert & More!
Born in Copenhagen Denmark, Markus Schwartz grew up in an American household surrounded by Jazz, and has devoted more than twenty-five years to learning the wealth and complexity of traditional Haitian religious music. Moving in and out of Haiti since the early 1990s, Markus followed the lead of Haitian percussionists on pilgrimages into the countryside to learn the intricate and powerful drumming styles of the various lakou—historic religious compounds—such as Badjo, Soukri and Souvenance.
Settling in Brooklyn in the late 1990's, Markus became a sought-after drummer at Haitian religious ceremonies, and was instrumental in creating the ground-breaking Haitian Jazz quintet Mozayik, bringing his informed arrangements of Vodou rhythms to jazz standards, Haitian traditional songs and Mozayik’s original compositions. He has since become a first-call percussionist on the NYC Haitian music scene, performing and recording with a diverse array of artists across many genres.
With an extensive discography as a featured artist on myriad projects, Markus has released four seminal recordings as a leader thus far; Tanbou nan Lakou Brooklyn (2008), Equinox (2011), Vo-Duo Nou La (w/ Monvelyno Alexis, 2013), and most recently Kay Sa (2019), the second Lakou Brooklyn Quartet recording on the audiophile Soundkeeper Recordings label. Current projects include his own ongoing band Lakou Brooklyn Quartet, as well as membership in Grammy-winning saxophonist David Sanchez' Carib project, and We All Break, led by the iconic drummer Ches Smith, along with pianist Matt Mitchell and Haitian master drummer Daniel Brevil. Markus maintains an active freelance schedule as well, appearing locally and abroad with a host of talented artists from the Haitian community.
Gig Alerts
On Dec. 20th Damon will playing at the 10th annual Christmas Jam at The Vault Music Hall & Pub at Greasy Luck in New Bedford, MA. If you can’t make that date the same show will be performing the next day, Dec. 21st, at The Grog in Newburyport, MA.
Marcos Torres aka “DJ Kilo” aka “DJ No Wifi” will be having his debut set at Murphy’s Law on the the 27th! This Friday Kilo begins his stint with Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre on 47th and 8 ave playing the show Guaracha written by Luis Rafael Sánchez. On the 29th Marcos will be at Gonzalez y Gonzalez with Arturo Ortiz & 7 con Calle.
Educational Spotlight
If you want to go to Cuba, Kosa has two upcoming trips: First one is March 22nd-29th heading to Havana for “Fiesta del Tambor”. The second trip is April 29th - May 6th going to Matanzas for the Matanzas Jazz Festival.
The Percussive Arts Society is hosting a drum set competition. You do not need be a member of PAS and there is no entry fee! The ages to compete are between 18 and 30 and the deadline to submit is Dec. 15th. Third place gets $2,500, Second place gets $5,000, and if you win first place you get $10K!!!
Product Reviews
Listen to Damon drop some knowledge on his quest to find the best deals for his new TV and more! Marcos suggests to visit Sweetwater if you’ve ever wanted to put together a home studio since the deals are crazy! DW and LP are having Free Shipping from Nov. 25th until Dec. 19th! Shoutout to DW for acquiring the legendary Slingerland Drums from Gibson.
Iconic Recording
In celebration of Thanksgiving this week’s iconic recording is "Sweet Potato Pie" by Ray Charles. Damon also mentions last years recording Alice's Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie calling it the “Thanksgiving Carol”.
Music News
California is having some issues with their new AB5 Law. This law could potentially force the music industry out of LA!
If you’re fan of cameo’s Ed Sheeran and Lin-Manuel Miranda will be making an appearance in ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’.
American Music Awards hit a new ratings low despite having Taylor Swift win Artist of the Decade. Scooter Braun is receiving death threats after Taylor Swift pleaded to perform for the AMA’s.
On other news, Neil Young quits Facebook for its refusal to fact check political ads and Coldplay will stop touring until concerts are ‘environmentally beneficial’.
The song leading into the interview is Solo Tanbou Ti-Roro, from Tanbou nan Lakou Brooklyn / Haitian Drums in the Brooklyn Yard.
Markus Schwartz Interview
Damon and Markus reminisce on attending UMASS for their music studies. They have some “get off the lawn”, “Old Man” moments and talk about how certain resources are so much easier to access now than before.
Friend of the show Obed Calvaire recommended Markus for the interview. Markus met Obed Calvaire on a gig with a Haitian singer Emeline Michel Queen of Haitian song/Diva of Haitian song.
Markus talks about how his love of Percussion started his Junior year at UMass. Markus describes how he became an expert in Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Haitian music. He started his journey in the Bay Area, where he had opportunities to play at some Afro-Haitian Dance classes. The Afro-haitian classes were more Katherine Dunham Technique and Afro-Haitian Dance.
Markus met his first Haitian musician named Jean Raymond Giglio (percussionist) who was part of an important cultural movement in Haiti called Mizik rasin which means Roots music.
Markus and Damon talk about where to start if you want to learn about Haitian percussion. Briefly talks about Kompa and compares it to Merengue. Vodou has a “…vast repertoire of traditional rhythms, songs and dances that are part of the sacred tradition,” states Markus.
Markus and talk about the Iwa, also spelled loa, the primary spirits of Vodou. They are akin to the orishas of Yoruba religion and of similar Afro-Caribbean new religious movements, but, unlike the orishas, the lwa are not deities but are spirits. Markus explains some of the different rhythms and stylistic details between Rada vs Petwo Iwas. Petwo was a creole rhythm that was born in Haiti. It was used by revolutionaries to draw strength to defeat Napoleon’s Army.
Damon asks Markus if there are any books like the Ed Uribe Afro-Cuban/Brazilian books he’s published and he suggests Vodou Drumset: Drumset Applications of Traditional Afro-Haitian Rhythms by James Armstrong and Travis Knepper. He also mentions The Drums of Vodou by Frisner Augustin and Lois Wilcken. Being a lifelong student of this music Markus warns about the misinformation and partials truths presented as absolute truths when it comes to Haitian Truth. He says,” …Think of it as a truth and but not the truth.” Here’s the article Markus mentions where you can learn more about Haitian music. There is a discography at the bottom of the article that will help you dive into this music!
Markus gives a shout out to Saxophonists Godwin Louis and his new album “Global”. They also talk about Tiga Jean Baptiste son of one Markus’ earliest teachers Bonga Jean Baptiste. Markus works with wonderful guitar player, singer, composer, songwriter Monvelyno Alexis.
Markus describes a recent album, Kay Sa, he recorded with indie audio file label called soundkeeper recordings which recorded the whole album with one mic! “Get off my lawn!” Much like how recordings used to be all the dynamics and stereo effects have to be done by the band.
You can follow Markus on Instagram, Soundcloud, Twitter, and Youtube.
The song leading out of the interview is Simbi Makaya from Vo-Duo / Nou La
Shout out to our new intern Angel Lau for helping out with posting the show and the show notes! You can follow his Instagram here.
