Born: July 3, 1980 Primary Instrument: Piano
Born in Boston, Chris Marsceill was raised in Philadelphia in a musical household. His father, Mike, was a PolyGram recording artist in the 1960's and by 13 Chris was familiar with names like Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly and Ella Fitzgerald. One day he heard Dr. John and Harry Connick Jr. and fell in love with the sound of New Orleans style piano. During high school he was a student of Philadelphia legend Eric Shaw.
Attending Loyola University New Orleans and later University of New Orleans Chris, now known as the Reverend, studied with Ellis Marsalis, Michael Pellera and became a sub for Joe Krown's famous Piano Night (first at the Maple Leaf and later Le Bon Temps).
Reverend Chris, his wife: Kristen and their cat: Jack McCoy relocated to Philadelphia following Hurricane Katrina. The Rev has brought music to numerous venues in the Chestnut Hill section of the city that had never had it before and now many of these locations have added music to their regular rotation of special events. He currently performs solo piano shows, duos with either Jason Fifield or Tony Garro on bass, with the Mighty Rhythm Kings and leads the Naked Nuns of Soul where he performs classic New Orleans R&B from artists like Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, the Meters and others that he fell in love with while living in New Orleans.
The long list of people Chris has performed with includes: Walter “Wolfman” Washington, George Porter Jr, Mark Van Allen, Ani Difranco, Patrick Smith, Bob Weir, Ian Neville, June Yamagishi, Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield and many more.
Reverend Chris is or at one point a member of: The Mighty Rhythm Kings, Dodge City Junkies, Ellen Rogers Band, Ted Hefko Quartet, Bradford Truby Trio, the Restless Natives, Brides of Jesus, New Orleans Juice, the Balding Vincents, REEBATIBA and a collective improv trio with bassist Jason Fifield and drummer Phil Horwitz.
In July 2009 an EP of solo piano recordings “Some Songs Vol. 1” was released and had sold out the first pressing in 6 months. In January 2010 a live recording of all Beatles material called “Fool on the Hill: Live in Chestnut Hill” was released. It features bassist Tony Garro and multi-percussionist Greg Morgan. It was recorded and produced by Slife Produtions.
Awards:
2010 Philly HotList "Favorite Local Entertainer"“One of the unsung stars of the current Philly music scene.” - Philadelphia Daily News
“Super pianist!” - Chestnut Hill Local
Fool On the Hill
Self Produced, Slife Pros
2010
Tracks: Magical Mystery Tour, Rain, Lady Madonna, Something, I Feel Fine, Come Together, You Won't See Me, Get Back, Within You Without You / Revolution, Oh Darling, Matchbox, Honey Pie, Ticket to Ride / Just a Memory, Glass Onion, Here Comes the Sun
Personnel: Chris Marsceill: piano, Tony Garro: upright bass, Gregory Morgan: percussion
Some Songs vol. 1
Self Produced
2009
Tracks: Dream a Little Dream of Me, Bluesette, When I Fall in Love, Days and Nights Waiting, My Buddy (for Joe Krown), Memories of Tomorrow
Personnel: Chris Marsceill: piano.
Christmas on the Avenue
PLEBO/SLIFE
2010
Tracks: Silver Bells, It's Love - It's Christmas, Oh Tannenbaum, Christmastime is Here, Merry Christmas From the Family
Personnel: Chris Marsceill: piano, sleigh bells, tamborine. Jason Fifield: upright bass, sleigh bells, toy drum. Tony Garro: upright bass (track 2). Grant MacAvoy: drums (track 2). Sam Briger: Mandolin (track 5). Jonathan Howe: Harmonica (track 5)
As A Side Musician
Truby Trio
Bradford Truby Trio
Self Produced
2004
Tracks: Green Dolphin Street/Fool in the Rain, If I Were a Bell, Autumn Leaves, the Gambit, It Could Happen To You, White Wedding, Better Git It In Your Soul, Funkallero, Summertime/Marcsman, Juicy Lucy, God Bless the Child, Whisper Not, Impressions/Elenor Rigby, the Gambit (electric version)
Personnel: Bradford Duke Truby: upright bass, Bryan Besse: drums, Chris Marsceill: organ, piano
Live at the Blue Nile
Ted Hefko Quartet
Onager
2003
Tracks: A Foggy Day, Tini-Talk, In Walked Bud, Alone Together, Body and Soul, Paris Avenue Shuffle, There Will Never Be Another You, Angelacole, Tedro's Blues
Personnel: Ted Hefko: tenor sax. Chris Marsceill: piano. Bradford Truby: upright bass. Brian Besse: drums
Disclaimer: All About Jazz is not responsible for the accuracy of the discographical data at the website(s) provided. If a link is no longer valid, please contact discography@allaboutjazz.com. Thank you.
Primary Instrument:
Piano
Location:
Philadelphia, PA
Credentials/Background:
Currently teaching both beginner piano students just learning the basics as well as intermediate/advanced students who are looking to learn jazz piano, theory & improv. Theory & improv students do not have to be piano students, just have a confident grasp of the instrument they do play.
