Biography

Born in Haiti, Marlène Dorcéna grew up in the South, in Les Cayes. At school she practiced a repertoire of French songs and also sang gospel in the choir of the local church.Following the coup of 1991 in Haiti she decided to settle in Belgium to continue her degree in Journalism and Media Communication.Here she meets Raoul Nassar (musician, composer and medical doctor from Haiti) who incites her to develop a vast repertoire of traditional songs, as well as her own compositions about the daily life concerns and the struggle for a better Haiti.In her first CD “Mèsy” she unveils the soul, colours, laughter and poetry of the people of her island. Her home country symbolises the sun, tourism and “Creolity”, but is also one of the poorest regions in the world. In Haiti, people sing to fight the despair of unbearable living conditions, they sing with strength and the conviction that singing in the sun will help them forget their misery.For several years, together with outstanding musicians, Marlene introduces and shares her country and culture with numerous audiences.The commitment of Marlène isn’t limited to her time spent on stage. The conditions and burdens of the women and children of her country concern her deeply … (project for a clean water supply in a village in Haiti). She collaborates with associations such as Broederlijk Delen, Amnesty International, 11.11.11, and animates theatrical workshops for children.In her new album “Haïti”, without changing style, Marlène searches for new sounds, new simple emotions produced with instruments made from natural components such as the lambi (instrument used by Haitians during the revolution), the Haitian drum, pine, hazelnuts, ti bwa, agogo, maracas, shells, etc. This new album also illustrates her musical journey and her gratitude towards Belgium, where, as she comments “It’s where that it all started”.

Art form: singer

Website: http://www.marlene-dorcena.com/