Matt Marshak Band
Gig Seeker Pro

Matt Marshak Band

West Hempstead, New York, United States | INDIE

West Hempstead, New York, United States | INDIE
Band Jazz Funk

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Matt Marshak's Family Funktion"

“How Ya Like Me Now” kicks it off with an nice up tempo number that keeps the beat going through out and is flavored by the sax of Katisse Buckingham. The horns play off Matt’s guitar nicely. I think this is one you’re going to be hearing a lot of in the coming months. A great play on words since it really shows how much this artist has grown as both a musician and writer. “I Will Be With You” begins with a constant drum beat giving way to Marshak’s guitar. His tone here is as polished as it is in his live shows. Once again, he adds a touch of sax with guest artist Shilts on board for the fun. Nice keys by Kevin Flournoy keep this one moving to a really nice ending by the three of them. Matt takes us “Uptown” next as the beat slows somewhat and becomes quite deliberate in its delivery. Mario Cruz adds both flute and sax to the mix while keeping the club feel to it. He and Matt close this one out with some really good licks. Playing off of some really cool syncopation, “Family Funktion” is really fun to listen to with some beats that will take you by surprise. Add in a great bass line and keys, you’ll be trying to get this one down pretty quickly. This is a great title track and is one you’ll be hitting the replay button on.

“Great Soul” begins quite differently than most of Marshak’s tunes. His guitar here is the “soul” of the work and it plays off the constant back beat and occasional vocals that you hear in the chorus. The sudden ending makes you want for more. “Seduction” sounds like a good one to start a show with. It’s nice, slow, and showcases Matt’s talents. His guitar here has more of a Montgomery feel to it, and there’s no hurry to finish this one any time soon. I’m guessing “Gas Lamp Groove” was written with San Diego in mind. You can’t visit the city without a stop in the Gas Lamp district. This one moves along quite nicely with a good groove to spur on Matt’s guitar. It is hard to believe there are only two of them playing here. Franklin (Six Bones) Brown helps with the writing as well as the instrumentation. A favorite has to be “Gratitude.” It sounds both fresh and upbeat in the delivery. Written by keyboardist Rodney Williams, they bring in a little bit of David Mann’s sax to spice things up. “We Gonna Make It” is a Marshak penned tune that is simple while showcasing his abilities on guitar. “Get To Know You” has some nice back claps throughout with added vocals of Kenny Harris. Matt’s guitar here is a little more of the “wha wha” variety and is a nice change of pace. He writes of his home area of “Long Island” with a brushed snare and acoustic opening. Dean Kraus’ organ gives this one some real strength as they play together throughout. I like this one a lot, and it shows just how far Marshak has come in his writing abilities. The last track is strictly Matt on “What Would Have Been.” It’s entirely reflective and a nice one to finish on.

I have to be impressed with the latest offering of this popular guitarist. He continues to grow both as a writer and a musician. The addition of both horns and vocals here only add to a very sound repertoire on this release. He is out on the road quite a bit, so be sure to check him out when he’s in your town.
- Smooth Views


"Matt Marshak "On The Rocks""

Guitarist Matt Marshak has put it all together on his fourth solo CD, a consistently surprising brand of buff and satisfying smooth jazz that’s both accessible and adventurous. You’ll agree after hearing the first four songs in order: “Space Coastin’,” a bouncy acoustic guitar treat; “On the Rocks,” a unique bass-driven blend of downtempo and traditional jazz; “Hangin’ at Humphrey’s,” an ode to the famous San Diego venue with a slow shuffle and Larry Carlton-like electric riffs; and “Brotherhood,” a slice of instrumental pop that builds into its inescapably hummable chorus. Marshak is tipping his hand to the joys of variety and for keeping things musically interesting.

Marshak takes a chance on Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire,” a low-key acoustic rocker that comes in two versions, one showcasing his vocals, the other a radio-friendly instrumental track. He succeeds on the latter, spinning his own interpretation of an oft-heard classic. Elsewhere, Marshak digs into his love of the blues with “Chuck’s Groove” and “Sierra Sunset,” while returning, on the last three tracks, to the downtempo with the spare “Life Is a Mystery,” “Bratislava Bop” and the incredibly gorgeous “West Coast Stranger.”

One of the year’s best guitar smooth-jazz CDs, for sure.
- Jazz Times


Discography

As an artist:

Urban Folktales - 2011
Family Funktion- 2009
On The Rocks- 2007
Groovosphere- 2005
This Time Around- 2004
Preservation - 2000

Producer-
David Wells/friday afternoon
David Wells/skyline
Dwayne Kerr various
Lucy Bonilla various

Singles:

How Ya like me now
Gratitude
Summerfunk
Great Soul
Montauk Moon
Wind Chill Factor
On The Rocks
Space Coastin

Photos

Bio

Like Larry Carlton, Matt Marshak has a taste for electric guitar music with a bite of blues and rock but, again like Carlton, he can lay down some sweet smooth jazz licks at will. - Brian Soergel, JazzTimes

Matt Marshak’s live shows overflow with passion, energy, crowd interaction and intensity, as the guitarist throws a series of blues, rock, soul and jazz licks. Now, one of the freshest faces on the contemporary jazz scene has captured the flavor of his popular live shows with his fourth major release, The Family Funktion, due out this June/July on Nuance Records. The 12 song CD builds upon Marshak’s ever-growing recognition that led the influential CD 101.9 radio station in New York to name him one of the best new smooth-jazz artists and for JazzTimes, the bible of the jazz industry, to shower his previous two CDs with glowing reviews.

Choosing the title The Family Funktion was an easy call for Marshak, who ramps up the funkiness thanks to his strong lead guitar playing the help of a talented bunch of musicians. “To me, it’s just not all about me,” Marshak says. “It’s about the whole unit and the people I work with.” Not just only professionally, but socially as well, as Marshak surrounds himself with musicians with like minds and finely honed chops.

To capture Marshak and the band’s stage excitement, four of Family Funktion’s high-energy, four tracks were recorded live to give them a organic and funky vibe that Marshak compares to the best of funk-soul icons Sly and the Family Stone. Those tracks, all recorded at the same time, boast Rodney Williams, Benjie Porecki, Hans Z, and Kevin Flournoy on keys. Carl Anderson, on drums and Kenny Harris holding down the bass on the title track, “Seduction,” “Uptown” and “I Will Be With You.” “I didn’t do any editing on those songs,” Marshak says, “and we were able to stretch out and bring a funkiness to their eclectic groove.” “I Will Be With You,” in particular, is a rhythmically gorgeous track that features the saxophone of smooth jazz star Shilts, who stopped by the studio to add his soulful blowing.

The rest of Family Funktion continues the high-energy and smooth vibe. “Real Good Time” offers the sexy R&B vocals of Deadra Aziza, while the lush sounding “Gratitude,” produced by Rodney Williams, and “Uptown,” combine smooth vibes with Marshak’s gliding fretwork. “Great Soul,” produced by Chris Marshak, a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, combines contemporary jazz with the sound of Bollywood and continues Marshak’s shout-out to world icons who have inspired him. The song was mixed by legendary Grammy Award winning producer Ben Wisch. In 2007, Marshak also released a single called “Brotherhood” to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The tune spliced in audio from some of King’s greatest speeches. The Family Funktion also also serves up some neo-soul jams featuring Kenny Harris’ “Get to know you,” and De La Soul drummer Stix Bones on “Gas Lamp Groove.” However, the without a doubt radio hit is the very funky and catchy “How Ya Like Me Now.” This tune features producer Carl Burnett, the hit maker responsible for smashes by Boney James, Larry Carlton, and Marshak’s 2008 hit “On The Rocks.”

Marshak, a native of Long Island, grew up on rock ‘n’ roll music in a home full of musicians. Passing guitarists inspired his muse, and in high school he honed his chops with three well-respected teachers: Joseph “Joey” Casciano, Mike Orioles and Richard Rabatin. They all inspired in him a lifelong commitment to his craft, while Rabatin in particular turned him on to the contemporary jazz and blues guitar sounds of Larry Carlton, George Benson and Robben Ford. While attending college at SUNY Geneseo, Matt had the opportunity to play with a blues and R&B group, as well as connecting and improvising with straight-ahead jazz saxophonist Joseph Yoon. Once out of college, Marshak performed a variety of musical styles with New York’s top original bands and artists, even drawing praise from Deep Purple’s legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore.

In 2001, Marshak released the solo CD Preservation and began to get even more notice in New York, which led to the gracious plug by CD 101.9 in 2003. He opened for the popular Guitars & Saxes tour and in 2004 offered This Time Around, followed by Groovosphere in 2006 and On the Rocks in 2008, the latter earning praise from JazzTimes as “one of the best smooth jazz CDs of the year, for sure.” On the Rocks also delivered a Top 30 nationwide smooth jazz hit with the cover song, which was also played extensively on Sirius Jazz Café radio station.

Although Marshak is busy with live shows and the recording studio, he also finds time to write TV jingles (his guitar was featured on the New York Mets’ Mets Zone on Fox Sports) and conduct guitar clinics. But Marshak also enjoys giving back. He is a supporter of multiple sclerosis and autism awareness, and visits countless schools to help spread the joy of music to kids of all a