Markus Schwartz
Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Markus Schwartz is a first-call percussionist in the Haitian Jazz community.
About Me
Born in Copenhagen Denmark, Grammy-nominated percussionist, recording artist
and educator Markus Schwartz 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, (nominated for a 2019
Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album) 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.
