"Growing up, I learned that it ain't SOUL if you don't
feel it in your bones and get that tingle down your spine," declares
saxophonist, composer and producer Marion Meadows. It is this creed coupled with Meadows'
consummate musicianship and quest to connect with his audience that have earned
him a place as a mainstay on the Contemporary Jazz charts for several decades. "I always hope that people will feel
inspired by my recordings," shares the strikingly handsome saxophonist,
who has been known to moonlight as a brilliant digital designer/photographer
and semi-professional cyclist. "My purpose is to keep humanity moving
forward," shares Meadows who has collaborated with such luminaries as
Stevie Wonder, George Benson and The Temptations among others. Meadows' earnest desire to offer his music as
a force of positivity coalesces on his new and 14th recording as a leader, Soul
City. It is a star-studded affair that unites the saxophonist with such
luminous talents as vocalists Will Downing, Peabo Bryson and Maysa, guitarists
Peter White and Norman Brown, among others. Imagine a city defined by soul,
where the rhythms of the city keep all things moving in the right direction.
Marion Meadows has created the soundtrack for such a world on Soul City. Surrounded by an all-star line-up and
co-produced by Meadows along with Chris "Big Dog" Davis, and Rahni
Song, Marion Meadows takes us on a euphoric journey. Meadows, whose mantra is "Health,
Happiness and Love" says, "When we get into the studio each song is a
canvas, on which we all paint and create."
"I came up
listening to Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Duke Ellington but at the same time
musicians like Earth Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, Chicago and Parliament
Funkadelic," confesses Meadows who early on cut his teeth playing in
Avant-Garde jazz groups alongside heavyweights Rashied Ali and James Blood
Ulmer. Hailing from West Virginia and raised in Stamford, CT, Marion Meadows
began his musical endeavors at age eight, studying clarinet. At age 15, after
hearing iconic saxophone masters like Sidney Bechet, Coleman Hawkins, Johnny
Hodges and Stanley Turrentine, Marion Meadows' switch to saxophone was
imminent. The stars aligned for Meadows one evening at New York's Grand Central
Station. While waiting for the trian,
Meadows took out his sax and started playing. His saxophone was mysteriously
overheard reverberating through the Big Apple's oldest railway. Emmy-winning TV composer Jay Chattaway (Star
Trek fame) was headed for his train and was so enchanted by the sound that he
introduced himself and shortly after
introduced Meadows to Grammy-winning pianist, producer and label owner Bob
James, who helped Meadows to launch his career as a solo artist.
Meadows initially had his sights set on medical school and a
career as a veterinarian. Upon high school graduation, he attended the renowned
Berklee School of Music in Boston, later transferring to SUNY Purchase School of
the Arts. While still a student, the
ambitious saxophonist worked steadily as a sideman. He jokes that he "got
a graduate degree playing clubs." He was also fortunate to study with the
best including Joe Henderson, Dave Liebman and Eddie Daniels. While at Berklee,
Meadows had another serendipitous encounter, this time with drummer producer
extraordinaire Norman Connors, who was then playing with legendary saxophonist
Pharaoh Sanders. Meadows says, "Norman Connors was really the guy who
discovered me as an artist. The man who
gave me my first shot." Connors recorded Marion's song
"Invitation" and later extended an invitation to Marion to join his
band. Connors, who collaborated with
many of R&B and jazz's greatest singers, afforded Marion the opportunity to
work alongside such dynamic voices as Jean Carne, Phyllis Hyman, Glenn Jones,
Angela Bofill, and many others. "That was a nice graduate school, so to
speak," laughs Meadows. After graduating with honors from 'Connors'
University,' the well-rounded saxophonist spent time honing his chops on the
avant-garde circuit in the ensemble "Aboriginal Music Society," which
featured guitarist James Blood Ulmer, percussionist Juma Sutan and pianist Kasa
Allah.
In 1990 Marion Meadows made his recording debut, For Lover's
Only, featuring Eliot Lewis, Porter Carroll, Brian Keane and Average White Band
alumnus Alan Gorrie. Two years later he joined forces with Will Downing, Bob
Baldwin, Angela Bofill and Norman Connors for his sophomore recording Keep It
Right There. Further solidifying his rightful place in the pantheon of great
saxophonists, Meadows released Forbidden Fruit in 1994. He was joined by
special guests Eric Benet, Dave Grusin and Dori Caymmi, among others. Body
Rhythm followed in 1996 and Pleasure was released the following year. Around
this time Marion Meadows relocated from Connecticut to the Valley of the Sun -
Phoenix, AZ. He also settled at a new recording home, Heads Up International,
where he released his sixth album, Another Side of Midnight in 1999, calling on
a little help from some friends Bob Baldwin, Omar Hakim and Norman Brown,
followed by Next To You in 2000 and In Deep in 2002. Player's Club in 2004
spawned two hit singles, "Suede" and "Sweet Grapes," which
have gone on to be Marion's signature songs. Dressed To Chill (2006) included
memorable renditions of hits by R Kelly and Luther Vandross and joined Meadows
with Chuck Loeb and his longtime touring keyboardist and vocalist Will Brock,
among others. Secrets and its title track topped the Smooth Jazz charts in
2009. The anticipated Whisper followed
in 2013 showcasing the stunning Top Ten Billboard hit "Black Pearl"
and in 2015 Meadows released Soul Traveler featuring another Top ten hit,
"Humanity."
Several decades into Marion Meadows' enviable career, a
string of radio hits under his belt, scores of sold out international shows, a
catalogue of critically heralded albums, and the saxophonist is still
inspired."Each recording is a continuation of my journey," concludes
Meadows. "I feel as though I have grown as a musician and a storyteller.
It is all about my life and the fellowship of sharing." So get ready for
the ride of your life and come on into Marion Meadows' Soul City.
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