Marx, Siegel and Esposito
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Marx, Siegel and Esposito

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""Inyo" Review - Jakob Baekgaard"

Experiment with form lies at the heart of everything pianist John Esposito plays or composes. Whether he's exploring and redefining the language of the standard with his trio or writing for a large ensemble as on A Book of Five Rings (Sunjump, 2008), he has the ability to immerse himself completely in the form that's explored. This is also the case with Inyo, which is a collaboration with saxophonist Jeff Marx and drummer Jeff Siegel—both of whom played with Esposito in the group Second Sight.
Inyo takes its title from the Japanese and refers to the male and female principles that are known in Eastern philosophy as Yin and Yang. It's a very fitting title because if there's something that the album does, it is to unite unlikely opposites. Thus, the sound on the album could best be described as unquiet meditations or chaotic lyricism.

The key to understanding the challenging textures of Inyo, coming across as both melodically inviting and intellectually difficult, lies in the combination of instruments. The lack of a bass gives a decidedly more free feeling, with Esposito alternating between playing the bass patterns on the keys and painting abstract blocks of chords. However, the musical initiative changes all the time among the participants.

"Crescent Sound" starts off with Siegel entering the eye of the hurricane with a large battery of percussion sounds before saxophonist Jeff Marx takes some bold flights on the saxophone, as Esposito moves to the background.

"Chuckster" is humorous march, merging sly saxophone and semi-ragtime musings, while "Upward Decent," whose title itself is a paradox, combines a funky beat with Esposito's impromptu piano voicings.

"Horizon" ends the album, however, on a thoughtful note, with Marx's curling, windy lines and the soft tones of the piano falling like drops of rain from a tree. This is, to stay in the Eastern terminology, a true moment of musical Zen created by three masterful musicians.

- Allaboutjazz.com


""Inyo" Review - by Bruce Lee Gallanter"

"...the superb sound and strong focused playing make this a most compelling offering... What I dig about this is the way all three players interact and give each other some space to deal with at the same time. The music breathes and feels natural with some brilliant moments that consistently emerge... The endless inventiveness of this trio is most impressive and this disc remains a jewel in more ways than one." - Downtown Music Gallery Review


Discography


JEFF MARX DISCOGRAPHY

Jeff Marx -

"Great Unknown" - Naugual Music (Jeff Marx, leader)
"Treading Air, Breathing Fire" - Soluna Records
(Jeff Marx, leader)
"Reaching for a Star" - Don Bennett
"West End Avenue" - Reuben Hoch, Belaphon Records
Esposito, Marx & Siegel
"Flying With the Comet"- Sun Jump Records
"Inyo" - Sun Jump Records
Artist Information

Biography
www.jeffmarxmusic.com
www.jeffsiegeljazz.com

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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 2,000."

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.

In the '90's Chicago has been Jeff Marx's home. Most recently Marx played at the 2002 Detroit Jazz Festival. Between Chicago, Detroit, New York, Milwaukee, and Ann Arbor, Jeff has been busy with gigs at notable area clubs. The sound of Marx can be heard on his own CD, "Great Unknown", on Don Bennett's CD "Reaching for a Star" with Jessie Davis on Alto Sax and Malachi Thompson on trumpet, as well as on "Second Sight" by the group, Second Sight. Now you can hear Marx on Soluna Records label with his newest release, "Treading Air, Breathing Fire."

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JEFF “SIEGE” SIEGEL

Drummer Jeff “Siege” Siegel is leader of the Jeff “Siege” Siegel Quartet as well as co-leader of the Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson Trio and The New York Trio Project. He was a member of the Sir Roland Hanna Trio from 1994-1999. He studied drums with Freddie Waits, Barry Altschul and Akira Tana. He received his B.F.A. from City College in New York City, as well as his M.A. in Jazz from Queens College where he studied composition with Jimmy Heath. He is critically acclaimed in the October ‘92 edition of Modern Drummer magazine for his work on Ryan Kisor’s Columbia Records debut “Minor Mutiny”, a date for which Siegel was chosen by its producer Jack DeJohnette. He regularly performs throughout Europe at festivals, clubs and concerts. Siegel has conducted drums clinics throughout Germany as well as the U.S.

Siegel has also performed and/or recorded with Ron Carter, Kenny Burrell, Pat Metheny, Jack DeJohnette, John Scofield, Ravi Coltrane, Dave Douglas, Jimmy Heath, Benny Golson, Frank Foster, David “Fathead” Newman, Lee Konitz, Frank Wess, Nick Brignola, J.R. Monterose, Lee Shaw, John Stubblefield, Arthur Rhames, Eric Person, Joanne Brackeen, Rufus Reid, Cecil McBee, Stefon Harris, Karl Berger, Richard Stoltzman, Romero Lubambo, Warren Bernhardt, Jay Clayton, Kurt Elling, Mose Allison, Sheila Jordan, Helen Merrill, Etta Jones, Carrie Smith, Grady Tate, Judi Silvano, Cecil Bridgewater, Johnny Coles, Terrell Stafford, Baikida Carroll, Valery Ponomarev, Wadada Leo Smith, Grahm Haynes, Steve Turre, Terrell Stafford, John Abercrombie, Claude “Fiddler” Williams, Howard Johnson, Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, Karole Armitage Dance Company with composer Jeffrey Lohn, Second Sight and several others. He received first prize in the International Grande Contest de Jazz, San Sebastian, Spain, as a member of the CCNY Jazz Quintet as well as third place for best soloist award.

Siegel is the jazz drumming instructor at both Western Connecticut State University, The State University of New York at New Paltz. He is head of the percussion department of the National Guitar Workshop as well. Siegel is the recipient of the "Honorable Mention" award for Performance in the 2005 International Songwriting Competition. Siegel has received several Meet the Composer grants. He is endorsed by Vic Firth drumsticks.

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Bio


JEFF MARX
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.

Also due to come out in 2009 will be a trio CD entitled "Enyo", on Sun Jump Records, featuring along with Marx on tenor sax, John Esposito on piano and "Siege" Siegel on drums.eff 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.

JEFF "SIEGE" SIEGEL - DRUMS
Drummer Jeff “Siege” Siegel is leader of the Jeff “Siege” Siegel Quartet as well as co-leader of the Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson Trio and The New York Trio Project. He was a member of the Sir Roland Hanna Trio from 1994-1999. He studied drums with Freddie Waits, Barry Altschul and Akira Tana. He received his B.F.A. from City College in New York City, as well as his M.A. in Jazz from Queens College where he studied composition with Jimmy Heath. He is critically acclaimed in the October ‘92 edition of Modern Drummer magazine for his work on Ryan Kisor’s Columbia Records debut “Minor Mutiny”, a date for which Siegel was chosen by its producer Jack DeJohnette. He regularly performs throughout Europe at festivals, clubs and concerts. Siegel has conducted drums clinics throughout Germany as well as the U.S.

Siegel has also performed and/or recorded with Ron Carter, Kenny Burrell, Pat Metheny, Jack DeJohnette, John Scofield, Ravi Coltrane, Dave Douglas, Jimmy Heath, Benny Golson, Frank Foster, David “Fathead” Newman, Lee Konitz, Frank Wess, Nick Brignola, J.R. Monterose, Lee Shaw, John Stubblefield, Arthur Rhames, Eric Person, Joanne Brackeen, Rufus Reid, Cecil McBee, Stefon Harris, Karl Berger, Richard Stoltzman, Romero Lubambo, Warren Bernhardt, Jay Clayton, Kurt Elling, Mose Allison, Sheila Jordan, Helen Merrill, Etta Jones, Carrie Smith, Grady Tate, Judi Silvano, Cecil Bridgewater, Johnny Coles, Terrell Stafford, Baikida Carroll, Valery Ponomarev, Wadada Leo Smith, Grahm Haynes, Steve Turre, Terrell Stafford, John Abercrombie, Claude “Fiddler” Williams, Howard Johnson, Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, Karole Armitage Dance Company with composer Jeffrey Lohn, Second Sight and several others. He received first prize in the International Grande Contest de Jazz, San Sebastian, Spain, as a member of the CCNY Jazz Quintet as well as third place for best soloist award.

Siegel is the jazz drumming instructor at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City, Western Connecticut State University, The State University of New York at New Paltz. He is head of the perc