Jeff Marx

Marx's interest in jazz began in Detroit while he was a young man. From his earliest recollection, jazz was his music of choice. Seeking to learn more, in the '70's Marx made it to Berkeley to study with Hal Stein on the West Coast. In Oakland and San Francisco the Jazz scene was hot and Marx played with greats like Eddie Henderson and Mark Levine.

Once jazz was in his blood, Marx went to New York for 14 years where he played with Reggie Workman, Steve Slagle, Guitarist Kevin McNeil, Donald Byrd, Ed Schuler, Jim Pepper, Gene Jackson, Ira Coleman, Santi DeBriano and Dave Stryker among others. For five years, he co-led in Second Sight with John Esposito, Jeff Siegel and Dave Douglas who was named Downbeat's “Musician of the year in 2000.”

Increased visibility led him to tour overseas where he played in the Cascais Portugal Jazz Fest and throughout Europe. In addition, Marx played at the Greenwich Jazz Festival and for Columbia College radio in New York. Although sad, he was honored to play for the National Radio memorial program for his former colleague, Jim Pepper.

Since 1993 Chicago has been Marx's home. he played at the Montreux Detroit Jazz Festival in 2002 and 2003. Between Chicago, Detroit, New York, Memphis, Little Rock Arkansas, Milwaukee and Ann Arbor. Jeff has busy playing at notable club's, jazz society's and concert halls.

In 2003 his second cd as a leader “Treading Air Breathing Fire” on Soluna Records, was widely praised by reviewers. in 2006 Jeff made a duo CD with Jeff “Siege” Siegel on drums entitled “Dreamstuff”, which also received much praise. In october 2008 along with Siege Siegel on drums and one of Europe's top bass player/composers Jaromir Honzak, Jeff performed in Germany and the Czech Republic. A live recording of that tour will be released in 2009.

Jeff Marx returned to Chicago in November 2008 to perform the music of Kahil Elzabar and Elbio Barilari at the Morse Theater on inauguation evening, with an all star group of Chicago's best musicians, to a standing room only crowd.

Also due to come out in 2009 will be a trio CD entitled “Enyo”, on Sun Jump Records, featuring along with Marx on tenor sax, John Esposito on piano and “Siege” Siegel on drums.

Jeff has also recorded on many CD's and albums over the last 20 years, including “Flying With The Comet” by the group Second Sight (recently reissued on SunJump). the group featured Dave Douglas on trumpet, Alan Murphy on bass along with John Esposito, piano, Jeff “Siege” Siegel on drums and Fred Barryhill on percussion. Second Sight was a 5 year project that was a vital part of the New York jazz scene of the late 80's. In 1999 Jeff recorded “Reaching For A Star” for the late great Don Bennett, which also featured Malachi Thompson on trumpet, Jesse Davis on alto sax and Harrison Bankhead on bass.