Live Jazz Featuring Marshall Vente Duo and Celebrity Guest Kirk Garrison on Trumpet

Kirk Garrison is an active performer, educator and composer in the Chicago area. A veteran of the Chicago jazz scene, Kirk attended Mankato State University in his home state of Minnesota from 1978-1982 before honing his skills in the United States Air Force Band.

Pianist Marshall Vente has been successfully traveling on the long journey of jazz. The initial MV Trio was formed in 1966 and MV toured Europe with Talented Teens USA in ’68. While in college MV’s was influenced and inspired by trumpeter/composer/arranger Paul Smoker, a two-day clinic/concert with Cannonball Adderley and even played a week with rock legend Spencer Davis.  Also, in the early ’70’s MV studied with Brazilian pianist Manfredo Fest.

The current and long-running edition of the Marshall Vente Trio has included bassist Scott Mason (since ’79) and drummer Isi Perez (since ’75); they have been an integral part of all of his musical projects, collaborations and gigs.  Their alternates, bassist Jim Batson and Brazilian drummer Luiz Ewerling have been performing with MV since ’91.

Project 9, a jazz nonet, was assembled in ’79 as a vehicle to write and compose new music.  This lead to MV’s two consecutive National Endowment for Arts Jazz Apprenticeships with David Matthews and Gil Evans, ’82-87; a NEA Composer Grant; and, two Illinois Art Council Composer Grants.  Also, four critically acclaimed recordings: Endless Intensity, No Net, Alison’s Backyard and Marshall Law.  Project 9 has expanded to a 12-pc ensemble and has a long running collaboration with saxophonist Billy Harper.

MV collaborated with bassist/vocalist Eldee Young beginning in ’87. This lead to two recordings: The Long & Short of Jazz and Step Up to the Mic.  Eldee was also featured guest on Marshall Law and was a part of all of MV’s gigs until his sudden death in ’07.

Tropicale, an ensemble specializing in modern Brazilian, Latin and Caribbean Music was formed in ’91 and released the recording Tropicale (’96).  This also led to collaboration with steel drum virtuoso Neville York of St. Maarten, five tours to the Caribbean, ’99-03, and two recordings: Sweet Salt and Jazz Flamboyant. A duo recording of Black Orpheus, MV’s piano and vocalist Joanie Pallatto, lead to the critically acclaimed recording, Two.  Also, MV’s radio show, Jazz Tropicale, was launched in ’92 and can be heard every Sunday at 10 pm CST on WDCB 90.9fm, streamed via www.wdcb.org The annual Jazz Tropicale Cruise aboard the tall ship Windy, has set sail in mid-July since ’95.

Over the years MV has also lead an original big band, composed and arranged music for the Chicago Bears Big Bear Band (performed at the Monteux and North Sea Jazz Festivals) and is a freelance composer/arranger for hire.

In 2014 Marshall began became a jazz-educator writing new arrangements and leading the Large Jazz Ensemble at Roosevelt University, Chicago.

All of this activity inspired the Marshall Vente Jazz Festival, which featured many other Chicago based composer/performers and their national, and international “name” friends.  The Jazz Showcase hosted this festival from ’93-06 and there is great interest to reactivate this annual event in the future.

MV currently plays gigs and special events in Chicago nearly every day and also ventures out-of-town.

Apart from jazz and creative music, MV also leads the Chicago Blues Review and the Marshall Vente Band, performing nearly all the commercial music of the last 60 years for private and corporate special events, charity galas, trade shows, etc.