Marbin: Brilliant Jazz-Rock Fusion in the Tradition
Marbin? Good question.
Here are some points of reference to help you get started. Mahavishnu Orchestra. Moon Hooch. Frank Zappa. Tribal Tech. Ornette Coleman. Miles Davis. Soft Machine. Kung Fu. Dixie Dregs. Cobham-Duke.
There are more, but that should give you some idea of what Marbin is about: fusion. That means jazz-rock fusion. Consider this:
Marbin has toured with Allan Holdsworth’s trio with Yellow Jackets’ bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Virgil Donati of Planet X, as well as Scott Henderson’s trio, which included Mike Clark and Jeff Berlin. Marbin has also recorded and performed with drummer Paul Wertico, (Pat Metheny Group), bassist Steve Rodby (Pat Metheny Group), percussionist Jamey Haddad (Paul Simon), Wayne Krantz, and more.
Those are heavy, heavy hitters. And Marbin belongs squarely in the middle of the conversation. Their playing ranges from uptempo to frenetic, so fasten your seatbelts. Video evidence:
That is, by the way, a soprano saxophone with a curved bell. You are accustomed to seeing them straight (please think John Coltrane and NOT that guy with a letter for his last name).
The Chicago quartet has recorded five albums with Moonjune Records: Marbin (2009), Breaking the Cycle (2011), Last Chapter of Dreaming (2013), The Third Set (2014), and Aggressive Hippies (2015).
Their new tour kicks off Wednesday, February 3rd, in Indianapolis. You might observe that they will play 37 dates — on 37 consecutive days! They are also scheduled for the Alchemy Rising Festival in May. More dates will follow.
If you are a fan of fusion, you simply CANNOT miss these boys. Mark your calendars NOW! And learn more on the band’s official website. More video evidence:
MARBIN TOUR DATES
Feb 03 Melody Inn Indianapolis, IN w/ The Cosmic Preachers & Aaron Parnell Brown
Feb 04 Root Cellar Bloomington, IN
Feb 05 Cosmic Charlie’s Lexington, KY
Feb 06 Thompson House Newport, KY w/ Grace Kelly
Feb 07 Tim Faulkner Gallery Louisville, KY w/ Craig Wagner
Feb 08 Barley’s Taproom Knoxville, TN
Feb 09 JJ’s Bohemia Chattanooga, TN w/ Charlie the Head
Feb 10 The Nick Rocks Birmingham, AL w/ Gabriel Tajeu & Matthew C. Charles
Feb 11 529 Bar Atlanta, GA
Feb 12 Caldwell Tavern Anniston, AL
Feb 13 The Basement Nashville, TN w/ Down Boy
Feb 14 Rose Music Hall Columbia, MO
Feb 15 BB’s Jazz, Blues And Soup St Louis, MO
Feb 16 Hi Tone Memphis, TN
Feb 17 Soul Kitchen Mobile, AL w/ Steady as Time
Feb 18 Duling Hall Jackson, MS w/ TR3
Feb 19 Handlebar Pensacola, FL
Feb 20 Friends On The Hill Warner Robins, GA
Feb 21 West End Trading Company Sanford, FL w/ Tanner Johnson
Feb 22 The Amsterdam St Petersburg, FL
Feb 23 The Funky Buddha Boca Raton, FL w/ Aaron Lebos Reality
Feb 24 BirdsEye Stuart, FL w/ Sound Chaser
Feb 25 The Jam Gainesville, FL
Feb 26 The Amsterdam St Petersburg, FL
Feb 27 Red Lion Pub Orlando, FL w/ Leisure Chief
Feb 28 The Daytona Taproom Daytona Beach, FL
Feb 29 Jack Rabbits Jacksonville, FL
Mar 01 Tin Roof Charleston, SC
Mar 02 Awandaw Green Awendaw, SC
Mar 03 One Stop Deli Asheville, NC
Mar 04 Rock Shop Music Hall Fayetteville, NC
Mar 05 The Pour House Music Hall Raleigh, NC w/ Consider the Source
Mar 06 The Ante Room Charlottesville, VA
Mar 07 The Camel Richmond, VA
Mar 08 Wildfire Saloon Beckley, WV
Mar 09 Scarlet and Grey Columbus, OH w/ Descendre & Heady Ruxpin
Mar 10 Emporium (wicker Park) Chicago, IL w/ Audiobakery
May 12-14 Alchemy Rising Festival Frontier Ranch, Pataskala, OH
