Marlon Simon and the Nagual Spirits

A sparkling, exuberant portrait of contemporary Latin jazz, drummer Marlon Simon’s fourth outing as a leader combines a diverse selection of tunes with a cast of musicians who work beautifully together. Teamed with buttery-smooth conguero Roberto Quintero, Simon lays down a deep, luxurious bed of Afro-Latin rhythms while the sax/trumpet pairing of Peter Brainin and Alex Norris swings hard overhead, bandying lines back and forth. The music slides into dreamlike fantasy on three tracks with a string quartet, accenting some rhapsodic piano work by Simon’s brother Edward.
-Forrest Dylan Bryant - Jazz Times

One of the most viewed and commented album reviews over the past year has been Marlon Simon’s In Case You Missed It. People have responded to Simon’s outstanding musicianship, creative compositions, and kind nature with enthusiastic praise. Simon’s group not only performs some straight ahead Latin Jazz, he also incorporates Santeria bata drumming in a very real way and places his music in orchestral settings. It’s really quite an album; without a doubt, one of my favorites for 2007! Latin Jazz Corner - Latin Jazz corner

I went to see this concert last night at the Bride, the honesty,
creativity and artistic level of this presentation was maybe the best
I have seen so far in the past 4 years. This is a very serious
project performed by musicians of the the highest level.

Venezuelan native and Philadelphia resident Marlon Simon, is an
impressive percussionist and composer, this project should be presented
in the best music halls around the USA and Europe since it represents
and carries a history of Afro american music that most of us are not
aware of. I wish the nagual spirits success on their new project and
I am sure someday credit will be given where is deserved, Marlon has
accumulated an extensive twenty years of musical career in the USA.

Thanks to Chamber music America , the Painted Bride and the Latin
American musicians association for presenting this type of artistic
project.

Life long Latin Jazz fan
Gilbert Harrison - All About Jazz

Simon is a Venezuelan born percussionist, composer, educatdor and band leader who immigrated to the U.S. bringing with him a fine feel for Latin Jazz and a gift for composition. --Eugene Holley, Billboard. - Billboard

Marlon Simon and the Nagual spirits get Chamber Music America National Grant

2006-11-15 19:11:18
Chamber Music America has selected Marlon Simon and his ensemble, The Nagual Spirits, as recipients of the New Works: Creation and Presentation grant--a competitive program in which the CMA commissions and presents new works in the jazz idiom, recognizing both established and emerging artists.

Marlon Simon and The Nagual Spirits will present The Nagual Suite, with the support from Chamber Music America's New Work: Creation and Presentation program, funded though the generosity of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.


Marlon Simon has released three recordings: The Music of Marlon Simon for K-Jazz Records (1999), Rumba a la Patato for Cubop/Ubiquity Recordings (2000) and his latest CD Live in Bolivia for Intrigue Records (2004).
Visit website - Jazz cds

Marlon Simon and the nagual spirits: live in La Paz Bolivia is the third release by this masters of Latin Jazz band. It captures magical moments that become only a reality during a live performance. The nagual spirits were selected by the US department of state to present this international representing the integrity , vitality and the excellence of the musical arts born in the USA in this case Latin Jazz.
This record is a must for any serious Latin Jazz listener. - Jazz cds