Interview with Monvelyno Alexis

              Haitian Diaspora Oral History Collection
Interview with Monvelyno Alexis
Miami, Florida, May 18, 2012
Interview ASM0085000018
Interviewed by Kevin Mason
Recorded by Kevin Mason
Outline by Kevin Mason and Xavier Mercado
Length: 22:05 minutes
Interview with Monvelyno Alexis, a Haitian musician in the sanba tradition. The movement derives from the style of Haitian mizik racine and began with the musician Louis Leslie Marcelin, who performs as “Sanba Zao.” Alexis performs throughout the world and has several residencies in Brooklyn, NY, where he lives. Alexis is also a painter who uses Veve imagery of Vodou. In this interview, Alexis covers his musical career, his work as a painter, and the deeply ingrained spirituality he has as a Haitian musician in the Diaspora.
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.
Monvelyno Alexis 2
May 18, 2012
INTERVIEW OUTLINE
− 00:00:12: Monvelyno Alexis introduces himself.
− 00:00:44: Today you’ve taken it [sanba] to a different place. You’ve taken it to Brooklyn and recently had a couple residencies there. Can you tell me about the one in park Slope, specifically?
− 00:02:49: What is the community like in Brooklyn, your following?
− 00:04:13: As a sanba, how influential is Vodou, like the music of Foula and Group Sa? What impact did Foula have on your work with Group Sa?
− 00:06:20: And you came into that relationship by hearing the music, through CD or tape?
− 00:07:13: We’ve chatted a lot about Vo-Duo. Do you want to talk about Kod-ak-po? [ropes and skin, refers to drums]
− 00:08:44: And you’re also a painter, as well, and I’ve looked at some of your works and the Veve imagery plays heavily into it and the imagery of Vodou. Tells us a bit about your art and how you got into painting.
− 00:11:48: So spirituality plays a big part in your music and art, and you’ve experienced through other people, but you also have a song called “Erzulie” –can you tell us about the theme of that song and your guitar work on it?
− 00:13:29: Do you think that is a different relationship than other people have? People refer to “Papa” Lwas, viewing him as a father figure, but what you’ve inherited from your mother is different.
− 00:13:53: What does Met mean for you? [Master]
− 00:15:58: What did the pastor respond to that [when you were standing up for Vodou]?
− 00:17:15: I’m also interested in what Nago is in Haitian culture? [tribe of the women]
− 00:17:56: Musically, what does Nago represent to you?
− 00:20:17: Today is Haitian Flag Day. What, specifically does Haitian Flag Day represent for you?
− 00:22:05: End of Interview.