Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Markus Schwartz is a first-call percussionist in the NYC Haitian jazz community.
Born in Copenhagen Denmark, percussionist 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 drum 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 Vodou drums. Markus was a founding member of the ground-breaking Haitian Jazz quintet Mozayik and the Buyu Ambroise & Blues in Red Band, Markus has recorded and/or performed around the world with many of Haiti's finest musicians, including “Queen of Haitian Song” Emeline Michel and Hip-Hop superstar Wyclef Jean. In late 2008, Markus recorded a 'solo' project featuring an all-star cast of invited guests. Tanbou nan Lakou Brooklyn/Haitian Drums in the Brooklyn Yard was featured extensively on National Public Radio and reached #3 on the JazzWeek World radio charts. “Equinox”, released on the boutique audiophile Soundkeeper label in September 2010, featured Markus & his Lakou Brooklyn quartet performing live (Jean Caze/trumpet, Monvelyno Alexis/guitar & Paul Beaudry/bass). Equinox was named Stereophile Magazine's “Recording of the Month” in Feb 2011, and has continued to be a reference recording for audio equipment demos.
