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, Ireland, and most recently, Maui, Hawaii, where he has produced 3 new CD’s featuring Maui’s finest jazz artists.
The masterful 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.
The newly released A Merry Marsh Mellow Christmas From Maui, 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 prodigy Preston Jones.
Coming in 2008 is Greg’s R&B flavored CD, currently untitled, featuring the soulful singing of Fulton Tashombe.
While living on Maui for the past 8 years, Greg has performed and recorded with a who’s who of Hawaii artists including Benoit Jazz Works, Marve Blue, Joe Cano, Tom Conway, Willy Wainwright, Gypsy Pacific, Kelly Covington, Brian Cuomo, Mark Epstein, Doug White, Mark Johnston, 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 O’hara, Vince Esquire, Bob Bangerter, Paul Marchetti, Tommy Hall, Tony Ray, Margie Heart, Professor Ed Connors, Jamie Lawrence…among many others.
Greg has also worked extensively with Espresso and Dr. Rock through the entertainment/production agency Musical Options, as well as many musically diverse gigs for Envisions Entertainment and Tihati Productions.
Working beside the amazing jazz drummer Roscoe Wright, Greg taught drums and percussion to the keiki (children) of Maui for AECG (Arts Education for Children Group) for 3 years, and later worked beside world-renowned percussionist Emil Richards conducting clinics and workshops with the help of drumming legend Michael Buono.
Greg had the pleasure to be a member of the ‘loft’ orchestra for the Maui OnStage production of Chicago handling all of the drum and percussion parts 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. (Watch the video)
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.
While residing in Chicago, 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, Anthony Gomes, members of Cheap Trick, Mojo and the Bayou Gypsies, Count Bop and the Headliners, Jazz Plow...and the list continues to grow.
Greg has also worked with many accomplished producers such as Jim ‘’Tools’’ Tullio, Craig Williams ‘’Dr. Caw’’, Jim Peterik, Peter Mochran, Justin Niebank, Pat Brennan, Tim Powell, Randy Riley, Roger Bain, Chuck Kawal, Danny Leake, Billy Franze, George Merrill, Jay O’Rourke, Tommy Tucker, Jr., Ian Taylor, Stephen Powers, Frank Sullivan, and Brian McGee. Recently, Greg has had the pleasure of working with Dave Tucciarone
In the 1980’s, Greg had the opportunity of touring with The Way Moves, opening up 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”. What a hoot!
On the Jim Tullio produced Chicago Bulls tribute CD, Go Bullistic, Greg co-produced the cut Bulls Are Gonna Mess You Up with Klem (bassist) and Grant Tye (guitarist) from Dick Holliday and the Bamboo Gang. Greg and Klem also recorded and performed with Lisa Loeb for Jeremy Pivens’ ABC television show Cupid.
During Greg's stint with Dick Holliday and the Bamboo Gang, Miller Genuine Draft sponsored the band for 3 years. While with The Cathy Richardson Band, Rolling Rock was the brew sponsor providing the band with cold, frosty Rocks and black leather biker jackets that Greg still wears when riding his 1986 Goldwing through the majestic rolling pastures of Southern Wisconsin.
Greg contributed to Showcase Music Magazine with his “Percussion Discussion” column with interviews featuring top drumming artists, as well as exploring concepts and methods for modern drumming. Greg has written columns for Singer & Musician Magazine, a part of the I Live to Play Network. Check out Greg's column at L2Pnet.com.