Jeff Marx -
Born and raised in Detroit, tenor saxophonist, Jeff Marx has been playing the horn since 1973 with his work showcased coast to coast and in Europe. From his early years in San Francisco, to playing with the greats in New York, Detroit and Chicago, Marx has left his mark on the world of jazz. His distinctive style has been compared to a combination of John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson.
Marx's interest in jazz began in Detroit while he was a young man. From his earliest recollection, jazz was his music of choice. Seeking to learn more, in the '70's Marx made it to Berkeley to study with Hal Stein on the West Coast. In Oakland and San Francisco the Jazz scene was hot and Marx played with greats like Eddie Henderson and Mark Levine.
Once jazz was in his blood, Marx went to New York for 14 years where he played with Reggie Workman, Steve Slagle, Guitarist Kevin McNeil, Donald Byrd, Ed Schuler, Jim Pepper, Gene Jackson, Ira Coleman, Santi DeBriano and Dave Stryker among others. For five years, he co-led in Second Sight with John Esposito, Jeff Siegel and Dave Douglas who was named Downbeat's "Musician of the year in 2000."
Increased visibility led him to tour overseas where he played in the Cascais Portugal Jazz Fest and throughout Europe. In addition, Marx played at the Greenwich Jazz Festival and for Columbia College radio in New York. Although sad, he was honored to play for the National Radio memorial program for his former colleague, Jim Pepper.
Since 1993 Chicago has been Marx's home. he played at the Montreux Detroit Jazz Festival in 2002 and 2003. Between Chicago, Detroit, New York, Memphis, Little Rock Arkansas, Milwaukee and Ann Arbor. Jeff has busy playing at notable club's, jazz society's and concert halls.
In 2003 his second cd as a leader "Treading Air Breathing Fire" on Soluna Records, was widely praised by reviewers. in 2006 Jeff made a duo CD with Jeff "Siege" Siegel on drums entitled "Dreamstuff", which also received much praise. In october 2008 along with Siege Siegel on drums and one of Europe's top bass player/composers Jaromir Honzak, Jeff performed in Germany and the Czech Republic. A live recording of that tour will be released in 2009.
Jeff Marx returned to Chicago in November 2008 to perform the music of Kahil Elzabar and Elbio Barilari at the Morse Theater on inauguation evening, with an all star group of Chicago's best musicians, to a standing room only crowd.
Jeff has also recorded on many CD's and albums over the last 20 years, including "Flying With The Comet" by the group Second Sight (recently reissued on SunJump). the group featured Dave Douglas on trumpet, Alan Murphy on bass along with John Esposito, piano, Jeff "Siege" Siegel on drums and Fred Barryhill on percussion. Second Sight was a 5 year project that was a vital part of the New York jazz scene of the late 80's. In 1999 Jeff recorded "Reaching For A Star" for the late great Don Bennett, which also featured Malachi Thompson on trumpet, Jesse Davis on alto sax and Harrison Bankhead on bass.
On june 6th of 2009 Jeff will be performing the first of a series of performances of the music of Elbio Barilari at Ravinia followed by a performance of the same at Millenium Park on july 30th.
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JEFF "SIEGE" SIEGEL - drums, percussion, composition
Drummer/Composer Jeff “Siege” Siegel is a veteran of the New York Jazz Scene and has worked with a virtual“who’s who” of artists. A member of the Sir Roland Hanna Trio from 1994-‘99, Siegel’s diverse career has also led him to perform and/or record with legends such as Ron Carter, Kenny Burrell, Jack DeJohnette, Benny Golson, Frank Foster, Shiela Jordan, Helen Merrill, Mose Allison and many more. He has also performed and/or recorded with the younger generation of musicians such as Dave Douglas, Stefon Harris, Kurt Elling, Ravi Coltrane, Ryan Kisor, Arturo O'Farrill, Steve Turre, Arthur Rhames and John Esposito. He has worked in the avant garde world as well with Wadada Leo Smith, Baikida Carroll and others. He is co-leader of the Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson Trio, The New York Trio Project and The Jeff Marx/Jeff "Siege" Siegel Duo. Siegel has been described in Jazz World Magazine as a “brilliant drummer”, while lauded in Modern Drummer for his “forward energy and abundantly attractive ideas”. “His playing is always tasteful whether it be in forceful, intense situations or in quiet, supporting roles. His writing is intriguing” notes the Green Mountain Jazz Messenger. An active educator, Siegel teaches Jazz drumming at The New School in New York City, the State University of New York at New Paltz as well as at Western Connecticut State University. He has performed clinics throughout Europe and the United States. He holds a Masters Degree in Jazz from Queens College where he studied composition with Jimmy Heath and has subsequently been the recipient of several grants from Meet the Composer. He is an endorser for Vic Firth Drumsticks. His new CD “Live in Europe” featuring his quartet can be heard on the ARC record label.