Artist Information
Biography
Soulman”
(The Cincinnati Post, 5/13/4, describing Marvin)
“Wonderfully inventive”
(The Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/26/03, describing Marvin & The Experience)
“Outstanding performance”
(The Cincinnati Enquirer, on Marvin & The Experience at MidPoint 2003)
“Lively – really lively”
(The Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/26/03, describing Marvin & The Experience)
Marvin – born & raised in Cincinnati, performing around the world
Marvin Hawkins is a remarkably talented artist/entertainer born and raised in the heart of Cincinnati, Ohio. From 1985-1993 he attended the Cincinnati School for The Creative and Performing Arts and received training in the fields of dance, drama, instrumental music and both classical and musical theatre. Marvin has starred in numerous Off Broadway productions. In 1992 Marvin was selected to do a two-week musical theatre tour of Europe. He was also granted the opportunity to perform with the Cincinnati Summer Opera Company from 1987 to 1992.
Establishing himself as a R&B vocalist, Mr. Hawkins, with the help of his band Nu’ Gruv, served as the opening act for major recording artists such as Usher, Eric Benet, Silk, Ohio Players, Paul Anka, Roberta Flack and a host of others.
Marvin spent 2000-2001 touring the Midwest with a well known regional reggae band (Admiral Walker) as drummer and lead/background vocalist. In the fall of 2001 Mr. Hawkins jumped continents to do a nine month stint in Asia and its Pacific Islands. His credits during this time include major label recordings, a television special with Japanese pop artist Hira Ken, the Korean FIFA World Cup Soccer Team theme song, as well as numerous studio and live performances.
Since returning from Japan in 2001, Marvin has joined in almost every musical style part of Cincinnati’s scene – funk, reggae, hip-hop, rock and roll, r&b, and soul. In addition to Marvin & The Experience, Marvin is the drummer and/or singer with T-Sly Band, Airwave Band, The Syndicate(Ann Arbor, Michigan), Kelly Evans Trio, Whitney Barricklow Band, Iswhat ,Curtis Jackson (Washington,D.C.), Big Whiskey, Kadouz, Selector, Nature Band, Knotty Pines, and Elliott Ruther Trio.
Educated in Cincinnati’s great arts institutions like The School for Creative and Performing Arts and the University of Cincinnati’s Conservatory of Music, Marvin’s musical style also pays tribute to some of Cincinnati’s musical icons like the Isley Brothers and James Brown performing a set of Cincinnati-based songs with The Experience. Marvin has even been working on ways to better salute Cincinnati’s King Records’ legacy through Cincinnati City Councilman John Cranley’s office (The Cincinnati Enquirer, 4/10/03).
Marvin Hawkins, performing simply as Marvin, is gearing-up for his debut release on The Midwests’ hottest new label, Aktive Audioworks. Marvin’s release will present original funk-hop soul to Cincinnati and the world. Described as “wonderfully inventive” and “lively – really lively” by The Cincinnati Enquirer (12/26/03), Marvin & The Experience’s originals are being performed all over Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
In February of 2004 and 2005 Marvin left for a 5 week long European tour with Bi-Okoto, performing for U.S. troops (The Cincinnati Enquirer, “Bi-Okoto will perform for U.S. troops”, 1/25/4) and returned to Cincinnati to complete his Group Hum debut and perform with Billboard chart-topping hip-hop artist Talib Kweli on April 2nd 2004 at The Madison Theater.
After a highly successful show as the main act with Talib Kweli, a show picked as “show of the week” by both weeklies (CityBeat & CiN Weekly), Marvin & The Experience performed by request for Presidential candidate John Kerry on Cincinnati’s riverfront to 4000 people in April of 2004. In 2005 and 2006 Marvin was nominated for a Cincinnati Entertainment Award in the R&B/ Funk category as well as delivering a stellar performance at the awards ceremony.
With experience in Japan, Europe, and the United States, Marvin is ready to unleash his sounds not just to the U.S., but to the world.
Marvin – Debut album coming soon…
Especially since performing three times during MidPoint Music Festivals 2003-2006 seasons, where The Cincinnati Enquirer singled-out Marvin & The Experience as giving an “outstanding performance” (9/29/03), Marvin’s been hard for his upcoming release.
As a singer/songwriter with a band (The Experience) that includes drums, keyboards, bass, electric guitar back-up singers and the occasional horn section, Marvin will soon complete his debut EP and album of original material.
Marvin’s been playing all over the TriState as well as regionally and nationally: Covington (The Madison Theater), Newport (Tropicana and Coconut Joe’s), Oxford (Balcony), Ohio University (The SwindleFish), Lexington (Atomic Café and Lynaughs), Mt. Lookout (One-Eyed Jack’s, Million’s, MLT’s), Main Street (The Cavern, The Courtyard Café, The Barrelhouse, Moose on Main, RBC’s, Shaker’s In Town, Mr. Pitiful’s, and Neon’s), Clifton/Corryville (The Mad Frog, Topcat’s), East End (East End Café, The Sandbar), Anderson Township (Feldy’s, Michael G’s and Adis’ Place), Mt. Adam’s (Longworth’s and Pavilion), Fairfield (Double D’z) and Wyoming (Some Place Different), R.P, McMurphy’s (Hyde Park), Square Bubble(Beechmont, Ohio) Carlo and Johnny’s(Montgomery, Ohio), Jeff ruby’s Louisville, The Avenue(Covington, Ky), Mesh Restaurant(West Chester, Ohio, McMurphy’s (Van Nuys California), Apache Café (Atlanta, Georgia).
Instrumentation
Discography
AKTIVATE:
Music From People You Should Know 2006
Singles, 'Hey Hey' (West Coast Remix featuring Don Juan) and 'Dance Tonight' with Aktive Audioworks recording artist Yoshi.
Video
Press
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Marvin online/newspaper resources:
[+ Show ]
Marvin online/newspaper resources: Marvin & The Experience: CiN Weekly – Tabari McCoy http://www....
Setlist
Hip-Hop Soul/ R&B/ Ol Skool Classic:
Original songs by MARVIN, like "Hey Hey" played on the WIZ in 2004 and performances of Prince, Stevie Wonder, Cincinnati classics by James Brown, Bootsy Collins, The Isley Brothers, and many more (on the MOJO's 'All The Way Live' morning show in 2004 and 2005).Plus a New School revue featuring material from Usher, R Kelly, D'Angelo, Musig and others.
Repertoire
Ol Skool
Prince Stevie Wonder Cincinnati/Midwest Sounds
I Wanna Be Your Lover Boogie On Reggae Woman James Brown
Pop Life Superstitious I Feel Good
Erotic City I Wish Sex Machine
Time I Just Called Big Payback
I Would Die 4U You Will Know Man’s World
If I Was Your Girlfriend Past Time Paradise PleasePlease
Alphabet Street That Girl Ramp
Raspberry Beret Do I Do Daylight
Musicology Knocks Me Off My Feet Bootsy Collins
Purple Rain Lately Flashlight
Take The Place Of Your Man Lionel Richie Aqua Boogie
When Doves Cry Hello Rubber Bands
Get Off Penny Lover
I Would Die For U All Night Isley Brothers
Kiss Running With The Night It’s Your Thang
Gap Band Stuck On You Between The Sheets
Oops Upside Your Head Easy For The Love Of You
Outstanding What Would You Do
Early In The Morning Al Green Don’t Say Goodbye
Yearning For Your Love So Glad You’re Mine Twist and Shout
Barry White Love and Happiness Roger and Zap
Ecstasy Still In Love Doo Wa Ditty
Playing Your Game Call Me Alright
Never Going To Give You Up Computer Love
My First, Last, Everything Bobby Brown More Bounce
Every Little Step Shake It
Teddy Pendergrass My Prerogative
Turn Off The Lights Get Away Ohio Players
Love T.K.O. Roller Coaster
Come On Over To My Place Earth,Wind& Fire Skin Tight
Let’s Groove Funky Worm
Bill Withers September Fire
Use Me Up That’s The Way
Lovely Day Reasons Midnight Star
Ain’t No Sunshine Can’t Hide Love No Parking
Grandmas Hands Shining Star Freakazoid
Lean On Me After The Love Has Don’t Rock That Boat
Devotion Slow Jam
George Benson Fantasy The Deele
Give Me The Night Get Away Two Occassions
Breezing
Lenny Kravitz Toni Tone Tony Marvin Gaye
Fly Away Get Down What’s Going On
I Belong To You Get Involved Mercy Mercy Me
American Woman Thinking Bout You Got To Give It Up
It Never Rains In S. California Make You WannaHolla
Joe Anniversary Through TheGrapevine
All The Things Your Man Feels Good Sexual Healing
Rock With You Whatever You want
More and More If I Had No Loot Miscellaneous
Good Girls Slow Wine Stand By Me
You Should Be Here Luv U Better
Touch Me Tease Me
Musiq D’Angelo In Da Club
Just Friends (Sunny) Brown Sugar Stand Up
Mary Lady Like Glue
For Tonight How Does It Feel Maria Maria
Don’t Change Left and Right Sleep In My Bed(RMX)
Half Crazy Devils Pie Soul Sista
Love Fabulous
Mary Jane
R Kelly Justin Timberlake Thank You
Snake Senorita Childrens Story
Bump and Grind Cry Me A River Big Poppa
Thoing Like I Love You Da Butt
Step In The Name of Love Gone Do For Love
Happy People Rock Your Body Don’t Stop The Music
Fiesta Bad Mamma Jamma
Hotel Michael Jackson Frontin
Ignition Billy Jean Body’s A Wonderland
Feeling On Your Booty T/Way U Make Me Feel This Is How We Do It
I’m Bad I Don’t Wanna Know
Usher Don’t Stop Till you Get Don’t Leave Me Girl
U Remind Me Human Nature Dock Of The Bay
U Make Me Wanna Rock With You BrickHouse
Yeah Butterflies Ladies Night
Burn Dance and Shout My Girl
U Got It Bad Smooth Criminal Change Clothes
U Don’t Have To Call Remember The time Get Down On It
Confessions Off The Wall Wish I Never Met Her
I Need A Girl Get On The Floor U Know What’s Up
Gone Too Soon Fill Me In
OutKast I Can’t Help It It’s A Shame
Hey Yah P.Y.T. Wishing Well
Caroline Wanna Be Starting Something Nothing Like This
Happy Valentine Working Day and Night Another1BitesThe Dust
Liberation We Can Dance
Good Times
Stay With Me Tonight
