Most modern jazz artists find themselves in several different performance situations, moving constantly between groups. Gone are the days when a jazz musician would dedicate themselves solely to one band. Many musicians find themselves exploring their diverse interests with a multitude of musicians. In some cases, these artists move between groups to balance their artistic statement with more profitable commercial projects. At other times, musicians simply have a lot to say and the depth of their expression simply demands projects with multiple groups; these are special artists – they are overflowing with creativity and they can’t be restrained to one group. As artists gain access to a greater spectrum of the music world and feel the economic pressures of the modern world, working with many groups seems to be an ongoing reality that will be in place for years to come.

Drummer Marlon Simon has spent a lifetime exploring a wide array of Latin Jazz approaches, leading him through a number of regular groups. Born on March 15, 1961 in Cardon, Venezuela, Simon grew up around the influence of his guitarist, a guitarist and vocalist. As he watched his father’s interest in music, Simon began moving towards percussion, playing bongos and timbales along with popular dance music. His family soon inhabited a musical full house, with Marlon on percussion, his brother Edward playing piano and his brother Michael on trumpet. While in his teens, Marlon began performing professionally in Venezuela, gaining invaluable experience in a variety of Latin styles. Once a friend exposed him to jazz, Simon was hooked and he traveled to The University Of The Arts in Philadelphia for further studies. He moved to New York in 1989 and continued his education at The New School, graduating with a degree in Jazz Studies. During this time, he worked with a number of important musicians such as trumpet player Jerry Gonzalez and pianist Hilton Ruiz, and he traveled to Cuba, digging deeper into the music. Simon formed his own group The Nagual Spirits in 1994, developing a unique approach as a performer, bandleader, and composer. The group first recorded in 1998 on The Music of Marlon Simon, returning in 2000 with Rumba a la Patato. Along the way, Simon established himself as a smart educator, holding clinics for children and college students alike, and authoring the book Analyzing Latin Rhythms. In the early 2000s, Simon recorded with a number of jazz and Latin Jazz musicians, showing up on Papa John DeFrancesco’s Jumpin’ and Hilton Ruiz’s Enchantment. The Nagual Spirits shared the excitement of their live approach in 2005 with the world on Live in La Paz Bolivia, displaying another step in the group’s evolution. Around the same time, Simon began an ongoing relationship with the French group Black Chantilly, traveling to hold clinics and collaborate with the group. His writing reached a rich maturity on In Case You Missed It, showing Simon as a formidable drummer and an insightful composer. In 2009, Simon shared his collaboration with Black Chantilly on the album Afrocuban & Live, revealing a top-notch group of European musicians. Always busy, Simon continues his work with both The Nagual Spirits and Black Chantilly, joins his brothers in the Simon-Simon-Simon band, and serves as an in-demand sideman. One this is guaranteed though – whatever context houses Simon, he will always display high-class musicality.

Simon has spent years bouncing between a variety of projects always inspired by his massive creativity and diverse interests. His non-stop drive to explore new musical territories with different musicians has given us several outstanding Latin Jazz statements, with more to come. In honor of all this great work, today’s Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix is dedicated to Marlon Simon. In the first video, you can see Simon performing with a group of French musicians that bring together Venezuelan music and jazz. The second video finds Simon alongside The Nagual Spirits – his group of many years. Simon performs with his brother Edward as well as Jerry and Andy Gonzalez – a dream me if there ever was one. The last snippet features the Simon – Simon – Simon with Marlon’s brothers Edward on piano and Michael on trumpet. There’s a lot of great music here, buoyed by Simon’s vitality and variety of projects – enjoy!

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Marlon Simon Proyecto Venezolano Frances

Marlon Simon And The Nagual Spirits

Simon-Gonzalez Band

Simon-Simon-Simon Band

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Want more from Marlon Simon? Check out these recordings below!

Rumba a la Patato

In Case You Missed It

Afrocuban & Live

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Do you have a video to contribute to satisfy our weekly Latin Jazz video fix? If so, send it in – it’s time to feed our addiction. I’m looking for live performances, from any context. I’ll most likely be posting one video per week, but if you’ve got another idea, let’s talk. So come on Latin Jazz videographers, musicians, and fans – let’s share some of our memorable videos! Get my contact info HERE.

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Check Out These Related Posts:
Latin Jazz Conversations: Andy Gonzalez (Part 1)
Album Of The Week: Afrocuban & Live, Marlon Simon and Black Chantilly
Album Of The Week: New York Encounter, Michael Simon
Album Of The Week: In Case You Missed It, Marlon Simon

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