Gregory Marsh
Drummer/Percussionist
Following in his father's footsteps, Greg Marsh found a passion for drumming at an early age and turned that passion into a professional career spanning 30 years. He has performed and recorded in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, Mexico, Ireland and Maui, Hawaii, where he produced 3 CD’s with Lynn Peterson featuring Maui’s finest jazz artists.
Primal Jazz, recorded and mixed by Lynn Peterson at Lahaina Sound (George Benson’s former studio), features Greg on drums and percussion, Shiro Mori on keyboards, Bob Harrison on bass and David Choy on saxophone – a tour de force of spontaneous improvisation.
A Merry Marsh Mellow Maui Christmas features Greg on drums, percussion and keyboards, assisted by the musical genius of Gilbert Emata, Fulton Tashombe, John Zangrando, Lenny Castalanos, Steve Laury, and Taiko Drums prodigy Preston Jones.
Greg has performed and recorded with a who’s who of Hawaii artists including Keali'i Reichel with the Maui Pops Orchestra, Kulewa, Benoit Jazz Works, Marve Blue Quartet, Curt Lee, Joe Cano, Tom Conway, Willy Wainwright, Gypsy Pacific, Kelly Covington, Brian Cuomo, Mark Epstein, Doug White, Mark Johnstone, Rob Loney, Ken Stover, Ron Hetteen, Na Leo Pilimehana with the Maui Pops Orchestra, Jake Shimabukuro, Barry Flanagan, Lei’ohu Ryder, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Eric Gilliom, Willie K., Sam Ahia, Howard Ahia, Henry Allen, The Gina Martinelli Band, Asian Blend, Gene Argel, Makana Argel, Mitch Hazama, Pam Peterson, Brado, Hau Phat, Raphael and Kutira, Jay Molina, The New Project, Lonny Willams, Debra Lynn, Jerry Eiting, Emil Richards, George Benson, Mick Fleetwood, David Benoit, Bob Jones, Brent Lewis, Patrick Major, Colin John, Gabriel Mark Hasselbach, Daniel Timmermans, Ray Gooliak, Pete Wasner, Mat Cain, Billy Laymon from NRPS, Middle John, Eric Burdon of the Animals, Estee & Company, JD on the Rocks, Tim Hackbarth, Tim Osborne, Shiro Mori, Nino Toscano, Vince Esquire, Bob Bangerter, Morganne, Paul Marchetti, Tommy Hall, Tony Ray, Margie Heart, Professor Ed Connors, Jamie Lawrence, Les Adam, Dorothy Betts… and many other incredible musicians.
Greg has also worked extensively throughout the Islands with Espresso and Dr. Rock with the entertainment/production agency Musical Options under the musical direction of Tim O'Hara, as well as many musically diverse gigs for Envisions Entertainment and Tihati Productions.
Teaching beside esteemed jazz drummer Roscoe Wright, Greg was on staff of AECG (Arts Education for Children Group) for 3 years, and worked beside world-renowned percussionist Emil Richards conducting clinics and workshops with the help of drummer extroadinaire Michael Buono.
Greg was a member of the ‘loft’ orchestra for the Maui OnStage production of "Chicago" handling all of the drum and percussion duties under the musical direction of Cody Gilette and Curt Lee. In June 2007, Greg performed with Maui’s own Zenshin Daiko at the 8th Annual Taiko Festival. He composed a piece entitled “Okonomi II” with Taiko drummers Yuta Kato and Preston Jones, which was a collaboration to explore the similarities and differences between Western Drumming and Taiko.
In October 2007, Greg had the privilege to perform with the Maui Pops Orchestra for their annual Halloween concert under the musical direction of Conductor Stuart Chafetz. In January 2008, Greg reunited once again with the Maui Pops Orchestra featuring Hawaiian ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro for a sold out performance.
Greg has performed and recorded with many great artists including Joe Walsh, Rick Danko and The Band, Maxwell, Sonia Dada, Mavis Staples, John Martyn, Pete Special, The Cathy Richardson Band, Dick Holliday and the Bamboo Gang, Brad Nye Band, Bass 30, The Way Moves, Bob Marsh, Arthur Lee Land, Alex V., The West Side Winders, Kevin Matthews’ Ed Zeppelin, Jerry Goodman, John Rice, Mr. Blotto, Ralph Covert, Dave Uhrich, The Andalusian Dogs, Ireland’s Larry Hogan, ‘Bumble Bee Bob’ Novak, Survivor, members of Cheap Trick, Mojo and the Bayou Gypsies, Count Bop and the Headliners, Jazz Plow...and the list continues to grow.
Greg has worked with many accomplished producers including six time Grammy Award winning Justin Niebank, Jim Tullio, Craig Williams (for 30 years), Jim Peterik, Peter Mochran, Dave Poler, Pat Brennan, Lynn Peterson, Joel Katz, Timothy Powell, Jack LeTourneau, Randall Riley, Roger Bain, Chuck Kawal, Danny Leake, Billy Franze, George Merrill, Jay O’Rourke, Tommy Tucker, Jr., Ian Taylor, Stephen Powers and Brian McGee, Hoku Award winning producer Dave Tucciarone with Hoku nominees "Kulewa", featuring Damon Parillo, Ron Hetteen, Keali'i Lum and Tim Osborne.
In the 1980’s, Greg toured with The Way Moves, opening for Duran Duran, Culture Club, The Psychedelic Furs, and Gang of Four and performing on The Today Show with Jane Pauly. Greg also recorded on many jingles including McDonald’s, Miller Beer, Busch Beer, Texas Instruments, and assorted breakfast cereals. He enjoys telling the story of how one ad agency executive asked him to make his instruments sound “more breakfasty”.
Greg co-produced the cut "Bulls Are Gonna Mess You Up" on the Jim Tullio produced Chicago Bulls tribute CD, "Go Bullistic", with Grant Tye and Klem Hayes from Dick Holliday and the Bamboo Gang. Greg and Klem also recorded and performed with Lisa Loeb for Jeremy Pivens’ ABC television show "Cupid".
Dick Holliday and The Bamboo Gang was sponsored by Miller Genuine Draft beer for 3 years, leading to endorsement deals with Sabian Cymbals, Pro Mark Drumsticks and Remo Drum Heads. The Cathy Richardson Band was sponsored by Rolling Rock beer.
Greg contributed to Showcase Music Magazine with his “Percussion Discussion” column featuring interviews with top professional drumming artists, as well as exploring concepts and methods for modern drumming. Greg has also written columns for Singer & Musician Magazine, a part of the I Live to Play Network.
2010-2011
Recording with Van Ghost at Castle Recording Studios, Nashville, Tennessee, Pressure Point Studios, Chicago, IL and Chicago Recording Company for the upcpming CD The Domino Effect. Produced by six-time Grammy Award winner Justin Niebank and Timm Martin for Dustimmoff Music.
2009 started off with a bang with two sold out concerts on January 17 & 18 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Maui, featuring...
Keali'i Reichel, Hawaii's premier recording artist, with the Maui Pops Orchestra. As principal percussionist, I had the pleasure of accompanying Keali'i's seven piece band and the thirty-five piece orchestra conducted by the great Stuart Chafetz, on my Yamaha Hip Gig with a tasty cymbal set up and percussion.
The Maui Pops March 8 concert featured Hawaiian legend Jimmy Borges, playing Frank Sinatra's original arrangements. The second half of the concert featured Hyperion Knight, performing Rachmaninoff's Concerto Number 2 for piano and orchestra.
Been working on the new Primitive Culture CD at ELabs Studio in Madison, WI with engineer/producer Dave Poler. David Hecht, the leader of this MAMA award-winning funky combo, has been working hard to finish production and mixing of the new, long awaited with breath abaited CD.
In February, Primitive Culture opened for Dr. John and the Neville Brothers at the Overture Center in Madison.