Europe Jazz Network
MUSICIANS
MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD
Biographies
JOHN MEDESKI
Pianist/organist John Medeski grew up in Florida, where he began formal
musical training at age of five. In high school, he worked with Jaco
Pastorius, Mark Murphy, and Randy Bernsen. Medeski studied in Boston
at the New England Conservatory with Ran Blake, Leonard Shure, and Bob
Moses. He has performed with Dewey Redman, Billy Higgins, Bob Mintzer,
and Alan Dawson, as well as serving as pianist/organist for the Either/
Orchestra, Mandala Octet, and the Christopher Hollyday Quartet, among
many others. Now residing in New York City, Medeski has worked with bassist
Reggie Workman, the Black Rock Coalition, Chunk, and numerous other
"downtown" bands. Currently a member of the widely acclaimed Gramavision
"organic acid jazz" trio Medeski, Martin & Wood, as well as pianist/organist
for John Lurie's Lounge Lizards and John Zorn's Masada group, 1994 has
seen Medeski's second Gramavision release, Lunar Crush, a jazz/rock
fusion effort with virtuoso guitarist David "Fuze" Fiuczynski, as well as
featured roles on David Byrne's new release and, with musical partners
Martin and Wood, on arranger Ken Schaphorst's Accurate Records CD When
The Moon Jumps.
BILLY MARTIN
Drummer/percussionist Billy Martin was born in New York City, the son
of a former Radio City Rockette and a violinist with the New York City
Ballet and the New York City Opera orchestra. As a child he studied
privately with several professional drummers, including Joe Morrello,
Frankie Malabe and Michael Carvin. Influenced later by African and
Brazilian music, Martin collaborated with drummer Bob Moses on several
Gramavision recordings and tours. He then joined Chuck Mangione's touring
group for four years. Afterwards moving to Brooklyn, N.Y., Martin quickly
became a part of the "downtown" music scene. Besides the Medeski, Martin
& Wood trio, he serves as percussionist for the Lounge Lizards and the
John Lurie National Orchestra (a trio with Lurie and Calvin Weston), as
well as drummer for John Zorn's Masada group and the Ned Rothenberg
Double Band. He has recently toured Europe with the John Lurie National
Orchestra and the Lounge Lizards and is featured on drums and percussionist
on Gramavision's 1994 Bob Moses release Time Stood Still.
CHRIS WOOD
Growing up in Colorado, Chris Wood studied bass and composition at
an early age, earning All State jazz bassist, as well as All State
Orchestra principal bassist honors in high school. Wood studied at
the New England Conservatory in Boston with Dave Holland, Bob Moses
and Geri Allen. While in Boston he performed with Steve Kuhn, Bob
Moses, Joann Brackeen, George Russell, Randy Weston, the Either/Orchestra,
and the Ken Schaphorst Big Band, among others. Wood lives in Manhattan,
where his versatile playing has put him in high demand among bands
throughout the city. He has recorded and toured with Marc Ribot's Shrek
group, as well as the Ned Rothenberg Double Band, the Jazz Passengers,
Elliot Sharp, John Zorn, Jack Walrath, Chunk, Oren Bloedow, and the
Black Rock Coalition.
Biography courtesy of Braithwaite & Katz Comunications, Brookline MA (USA).
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