Interview with Louis Leslie Marcelin "Sanba Zao"

              Haitian Diaspora Oral History Collection
Interview with Louis Leslie Marcelin “Sanba Zao”
Coral Gables, Florida, May 6, 2012
Interview ASM0085000015
Interviewed by Kevin Mason
Translated by Jean-Philippe Guillaume
Recorded by Kevin Mason
Outline by Kevin Mason and Xavier Mercado
Length: 25:56 minutes
Interview with Louis Leslie Marcelin, better known as “Sanba Zao” in the Haitian music community. In addition to his work as a musician, Marcelin and his wife Mireille run the Bazilo Ecole Communautaire, one of the first elementary schools in Haiti that re-opened following the earthquake of January 12, 2012. In this interview, Marcelin talks about his career as an influential mizik racine (roots music) artist and his work with the groups Group Sa, Foula Jazz, Djakata, as well as the legacy of his son’s group Sweet Djakata, a contemporary roots music group. He also traces the history of Haitian roots music, including the background and influences that shaped the sound following the end of the Jean-Claude Duvalier military dictatorship in 1986. The interview questions are in English and Marcelin speaks in Haitian Creole, with Jean-Philippe Guillaume translating.
This interview forms part of the Haitian Diaspora Oral History Collection of the University of Miami Libraries Special Collections.
This oral history expresses the views, memories and opinions of the interviewee. It does not represent the viewpoints of the University of Miami, its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The University of Miami makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interview and expressly disclaims any liability therefor.
Copyright to this interview lies with the University of Miami. It may not be reproduced, retransmitted, published, distributed, or broadcast without the permission of the University of Miami Libraries Special Collections. For information about obtaining copies or to request permission to publish any part of this interview, please contact Special Collections at asc@miami.edu.
Louis Leslie Marcelin 2
May 6, 2012
INTERVIEW OUTLINE
− 00:00:23: Introduction to radio program and greeting of guest.
− 00:01:16: Can you talk about your work as a Haitian mizik racine artist?
− 00:01:59: So Haitian roots music is not only influenced by music of Haiti but you have James Brown in there, and just pulling on many different cultural elements, it seems. Maybe you can explain the Sanba movement, or Sanba Yo the group, but the Sanba movement in Haiti.
− 00:03:26: And that [attempt to fuse popular American music with Haitian music] came across in the rhythm quite a bit.
− 00:04:43: Taking that influence, Sanba Zao, you have also been “notating” music, notating how the drum sounds, and you are the first one to do that.
− 00:07:22: We are going to hear a live performance of Sanba Zao singing something in the studio for us. Would you like to play for us now?
− 00:09:00: [Performance of Sanba Zao in the studio]
− 00:12:20: [End of Performance followed by an explanation of the song]
− 00:17:52: It seems that element of “moving forward” has always been a part of the mizik racine movement. We talked about the commercial origins of konpa that was to generate revenue, but mizik racine and the Sanba movement was a political response. It was not about the commercial aspect of the music.
− 00:20:28: In carnival music, it used to be that Duvalier would sponsor it and pay for songs. Like “President Duvalier for Life”, that would be one of the carnival songs. So yours was not paid, but your kind of music was more political.
− 00:25:20: We’re dealing with the grandfather, the royalty here, and, of course, Sanba Zao, it’s been a pleasure. JP, we didn’t introduce you. Gentlemen, this is JP Guillaume, founder of Muzikpan.com and just an all-around great guy. We have baseball now. This is Lakou Miami, we’re signing off. We appreciate you all listening…
− 00:25:57: END OF INTERVIEW