Marvin's inclination to music developed very early in life. Born in Centro Habana, La Habana Cuba, on July 24th of 1976, he grew in a family environment enriched in the rumba tradition. Marvin is influenced by his uncles Armando Aballi (founder of Danza Nacional de Cuba), Mojito, Enrique and Wilfredo. In his ingenuitive and innovative curiosity, Marvin played on a bucket, a dresser's drawer, the side of a closet or a wooden table to replace the sounds of 'tumbadoras', 'cajones' and 'cucharas', at his grandmother's or aunt's birthday celebrations, year after year.
Besides the influence of his father, a prominent and respected musician in the musical world for his work in the Cuban's National Folkloric Group (Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba), Miguel Valdes Alli; Marvin's brother, became a strong influence between the ages of 8 and 9.
Around 15 years of age, he abandoned the military school Los Camilitos, and he was interested in the world of music again. He started basic musicianship studies at the Conservatory Gerardo Delgado Guanche. Later, he went on to study more advance music courses at the School of Development and Advancement of Music Miguel Cervantes (Escuela de Superación y Desarrollo de la Música Miguel Cervantes). During all these years of learning, he received instruction from important professors such as Daniel Diax; ex-timbal player of the Oriental Rhythm Orchestra (Orquesta R�-tmo Oriental), Blass Egues; ex-drum player and pioneer of the Van Van Orchestra (Orquesta Los Van Van), a great admirer and follower Maestro José Luis Quintana “Changuito”, Roberto Vizcaino and his brother Miguel Valdes. It was among all these great teachers and all the family musical background that Marvin Diz gets nurtured and started his career as a percussionist. It was then, that he started playing with friends at 'rumbas', 'descargas', 'toques de santo', etc.
He became more inclined to the popular world where he familiarized with other young and mature musicians of popular bands within the latin jazz genre. It was during this stage in his life, that he had the opportunity to be part of Jesus Fuentes Latin Jazz Quintet (Quinteto de Jazz Látino de Jesús Fuentes). While been part of the Quintet, he participated in the Jazz Plaza Festival, celebrated in Cuba. This was the beginnig of his participation in many other small Latin Jazz groups such Bakuleye Orchestra, New Latin Project Band and many others.
In December of 1999, he left to Costa Rica as part of the Orchestra Nuviolas Sisters (Orquesta Hermanas Nuviolas), in which he worked for eight months. He continued solo and played with different bands in Costa Rica such as: Orchesta Timbaleo, Son Caribe, Grupo Experimental Canto America, Conjunto Chocolate, Grupo e Rock “Rescate”, Los Huracanes, Orquesta Tropicana Internacional, Luis Bonilla, Checo De Avila, Los Brillanticos and the Latin Jazz Quintet Orunla.
After his stay in Costa Rica, he embarked to Mexico, where he had the opportunity to play with Armando Manzanero, El Gran Fellove. He accompanied artists like Miriam Bayard, Marcial Alejandro, Miguel Inzunza, Yahir, Orchesta 40 Grados, Kike y su Ache, Silvy Henry among many others.
After living in Mexico city for almost a year and a half, Marvin Diz wanted to make one of his dreams come true and traveled to New York. It is in New York where he resides currently and where he has been able to perform his profession at a different level. In New York, he played with musicians such as Yosvany Terry, Ileana Santamaria, Boby Carcases, Jason Lender, Jose Conde, Yordamis Megret, Grupo Ibboru, Roberto Pitre, Chiemi Nakai, Carlos Boys Band, Son Tananeras, Son de Madre and many more.
New York has provided the possibility to record in productions with Conjunto Chocolate, Xiomara Laugart, Miguel Valdes, Edmar Castañeda, Pedro Martinez, Grupo Huracanes, Bobby Carcases, Minimo, Grupo Ibboru, Chiemi Nakai, Yorgis Goiricelaya. He was part of Brian Lynch's recordings, including the CD “Simpático” where Mr. Lynch was the Grammy winner for best Latin Jazz record.
Currently, Marvin is recording his first CD “Habla el Tambor”. A CD in which he has been able to gather musicians such as Giovanny Hidalgo, Richie Flores, Pedrito Martinez, Miguel Valdes, Little Johnny, Tony Escapa, Luis Quintero, Roberto Quintero, Ralph Irizarry, Eliel Lazo, Yonder Peña, Mauricio Herrera, Roman Diaz, Bobby Allende, Obed Calvaire, Yosvany Terry, Mike Rodriguez, Brian Lynch, Junior Terry, Osmany Paredes, Pablo Vergara to mention a few.
He has embarked in a journey of completing two of his first books. One of the books will focus on the Kettledrum's history and evolution. And the other book will emphasize in the Afro-cuban rhythms such as Sucu Sucu, Changui, Paca, Dengue, Mozambique, etc.
Source: Marvin Diz
