Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet

Biography

The Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet is led by Jason Marsalis, a prodigious jazz musician born in 1977 in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the youngest member of the renowned Marsalis family. Jason began his musical journey at age five with the violin, soon moving to drums at six, and performed early on with his father Ellis Marsalis Jr. and in groups such as Casa Samba and Los Hombres Calientes. By the early 2000s, Marsalis had shifted his focus to the vibraphone, gradually developing his unique sound and approach to the instrument.

Marsalis formed the Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet in the late 2000s, releasing his first vibraphone-led album, 'Music Update,' in 2009, followed by 'In a World of Mallets' in 2013. The quartet, featuring Austin Johnson (piano), Will Goble (bass), and Dave Potter (drums), quickly gained acclaim for their inventive arrangements and Marsalis's multifaceted percussion work, which includes marimba, glockenspiel, and xylophone. The group's music draws from a wide range of jazz traditions, blending original compositions with hidden gems from the jazz repertoire, and has been praised for its playful, spirited, and emotionally engaging performances. Marsalis's dedication to both tradition and innovation has established the quartet as a leading voice in contemporary jazz vibraphone.

The Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet is noted for its tributes to jazz vibraphone legends such as Lionel Hampton, Milt Jackson, and Bobby Hutcherson, while also pushing the boundaries of the instrument. Marsalis's approach is characterized by rhythmic complexity, melodic inventiveness, and a deep respect for jazz history, making the quartet a vital link between past and present in the jazz world.

Fun Facts

• Jason Marsalis began his musical training on violin at age five before switching to drums and later vibraphone.
• He is the youngest sibling in the Marsalis family, which includes jazz luminaries Wynton, Branford, and Delfeayo Marsalis.
• Marsalis is a Marimba One artist and has a signature series of vibe mallets designed specifically for him.
• He dedicated the composition 'Blues Can Be Abstract, Too' to musicians and students who believe the blues is a 'primitive old form.'

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Ellis Marsalis Jr. - Father, pianist, and early teacher; provided foundational jazz education and performance experience. (Performed together in various Marsalis family ensembles and on 'An Open Letter to Thelonious' (2008).) [1980s–present]
• Marcus Roberts - Band leader and mentor; Marsalis was drummer in the Marcus Roberts Trio, which shaped his musical development. (Recorded George Gershwin’s 'Concerto in F' with Marcus Roberts Trio and Saito Kinen Orchestra (2005).) [2000s]
• Lionel Hampton - Stylistic influence; Marsalis has paid tribute to Hampton and performed with the Lionel Hampton Tribute Orchestra. (Tribute performances and repertoire with Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet.) [2010s–present]

Key Collaborators

• Austin Johnson - Pianist in the Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet; contributed compositions and performances. ('In a World of Mallets' (2013)) [2013–present]
• Will Goble - Bassist in the Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet; contributed compositions and performances. ('In a World of Mallets' (2013)) [2013–present]
• Dave Potter - Drummer in the Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet; contributed compositions and performances. ('In a World of Mallets' (2013)) [2013–present]
• Shannon Powell - Frequent collaborator in New Orleans jazz scene and percussion ensembles. (Performed together at Preservation Hall and on various recordings.) [2000s–present]
• HERLIN_RILEY - Co-performer in The New Orleans Groovemasters percussion group. (Live performances, including Ellis Marsalis Center for Music (2020).) [2010s–present]
• Snarky Puppy - Jazz-fusion group; Marsalis toured and made guest appearances with them. (Double-bill tours and guest performances.) [2008–2010s]

Artists Influenced

• Students at New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) - Marsalis has taught and mentored young musicians as a faculty member. (Jazz education and ensemble coaching.) [2008–present]

Source: Wikipedia

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Love Always Comes as a Surprise - Bonus Track (The 21st Century Trad Band)
2. Blues for Now (The 21st Century Trad Band)
3. Blues for the 29%ers (In A World of Mallets)
4. Whistle for Willie (Basin Street Records Presents: A Musical Celebration of New Orleans)
5. Discipline Meets the Offbeat One (The 21st Century Trad Band)
6. Offbeat Personality (The 21st Century Trad Band)
7. The Man with Two Left Feet (The 21st Century Trad Band)
8. Nights in Brooklyn (The 21st Century Trad Band)
9. 18th Letter of Silence (The 21st Century Trad Band)
10. Interzone (The 21st Century Trad Band)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia