Percussionist Markus Schwartz has been a key player in the naissance of the Haitian Jazz movement in New York City and beyond, and with “Tanbou Nan Lakou Brooklyn”, Markus assembles some of the the brightest lights of the Haitian Jazz & Mizik Rasin (roots music) genres— along with several giants from the NYC jazz world. The result is an intoxicating blend of Vodou drums, Jazz and World music stylings, which has been featured on National Public Radio and reached #21 on JazzWeek's World Music radio airplay charts.
Born in Denmark, Markus Schwartz grew up in an American household surrounded by Jazz, and has devoted the last twenty 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.
Once settled in Brooklyn, 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 versions of American standards, Haitian traditional songs and Mozayik’s original compositions. Markus has since recorded and/or performed with many of Haiti's finest musicians, including “Queen of Haitian Song” Emeline Michel and Hip-Hop superstar Wyclef Jean.
“This album is like Papa Legba holding a party at the crossroads where the great Haitian Master drummer
Ti-Roro meets John Coltrane and they mix it up for a while. Best of all, we get to listen in... a fabulous fusion of Black musical styles blended and melded into a fresh and welcome innovation.”
—Elizabeth McAlister, author, “Rara! Vodou Power and Performance in Haiti and its Diaspora”, and producer, “Angels in the Mirror-Vodou Music of Haiti” & “Rhythms of Rapture: The Sacred Musics of Haitian Vodou.”
With Mozayik:
Review by Jonathan Widran, AllMusic.com
It's always so inspiring when American-based musicians mine the riches of their exotic heritage, and this five-piece New York band offers a stirring invitation to explore the vast rhythmic riches of its Afro-Haitian roots. While listeners are enjoying what on the surface sounds like an appealing mix of classical, jazz, gospel, and funk influences, the 12 multifaceted tracks also aim to teach lessons about various traditional Haitian folkloric drum rhythms (all stunningly played by Markus Schwartz). The set is bookended with two tracks using the Rara rhythm, the joyous and frenetic “Caravan” (a showcase for the feisty interplay between guitarist Eddy Bourjolly and pianist Welmyr Jean-Pierre) and “Moving On,” which floats an elegant melody atop speedy percussion patterns. Other irresistible native rhythms include Nago (the hypnotic “Sa te Bel”), Mayi (”Pen Mayi”), Ibo (the sassy Latin-flavored “Mirelle”), Kontradans (the moody, laid-back “African Queen,” featuring singalong native vocal textures), Kongo (”Limye”), and Petwo (a very tropical “The Journey”). Schwartz's interesting liner notes add some context to the tunes, whose deep textures take a few run-throughs to fully appreciate. Those who are fascinated might be prompted to do more research into what makes jazz tick in Haiti. But for those just out for a nice listen, perhaps legendary jazz bassist Jimmy Haslip's take is quite enough: “beautiful music!”
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