Marshall Vente

Pianist Marshall Vente has been successfully traveling on the long journey of jazz involved in all aspects: performance, composing and arranging, jazz radio broadcaster, festival production and jazz-education.

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 and this recording, Two Again.

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 a jazz-educator writing new arrangements and leading the Large Jazz Ensemble at Roosevelt University, Chicago. In fall 2021 he became a adjunct faculty at Elmhurst University teaching jazz history, jazz piano and independent studies.

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.

www.MarshallVente.com