Posted on

AZOR: A National Treasure. . .Gone Too Soon

Less than a month after his 46th birthday, Lénord Fortuné of Racine Mapou de Azor went the way of the ancestors. Our sincere condolences to his family, his friends, and the wide audience that will always treasure the man and the genius he so willingly gave.

News of his passing shook the ocean floor, sending tremors throughout the known world.  Haitians and fans of Rasin Mizik mourn the transition of this Voice.  Life may be ephemeral, but the art Azor produced is everlasting.

Haiti has lost another national treasure. Nou pèdi yon kokenn trezò. The roots of this Mapou run deep in the ground, however.  In good or bad weather, they must sprout again.  Somehow.

Rest in peace.

Kreyòl Pale

Posted on

Markus Schwartz: Denmark Meets Haiti

Markus Schwartz Photo by Tequila Minsky

New InnerView

Master percussionist and bona fide tanbourinè, Markus Schwartz, reflects on his own private Haiti and his relationship with “the oldest instrument after the human voice.”

Markus was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, but a part of him is deeply rooted in Haitian culture. In English or in impeccable Kreyòl, he is direct and unpretentious. He speaks with reverence for the instrument he spent the last two decades studying. Although he has performed and recorded with top Haitian artists Beethova Obas, Emeline Michel, and Wyclef Jean, Markus always refers to himself as a student.

Of his first introduction to the tanbou, Markus says: “I don’t think anything happens by chance. In West African tradition, they might call it Fa. Your life has a map. It’s not an unalterable course, but I do believe certain things are placed in your path either to help you achieve your goals or to help move you from one period of your life to another.”

Read the Full InnerView