In 2008, the Marbin duo re-situated themselves in the U.S., landing in Chicago. Since then, the work hasn’t stopped, as Marbin spends around 250 days a year performing (in the Windy City region and across the States). The twosome has also become noted in the Jazz/Fusion community for a trio of albums — 2009’s widely acclaimed Impressions of a City (under the banner “Paul Wertico’s Mideast-Midwest Alliance,” to reflect the hybrid nature of combining Marbin with drummer Wertico’s group), a self-titled duo album and this year’s Breaking the Cycle, an eclectic release (and the group’s debut for Moonjune Records) that found the duo joined by Wertico and bassist Steve Rodby (both noted for their work with the Pat Matheny Group, which has scored them several Grammys), as well as Cleveland native and Jazz/World percussionist Jamey Haddad, who has collaborated and performed with Paul Simon, Joe Lovano and numerous others from a variety of genres. (Marbin is being supported by bassist Ian Stewart and drummer Justyn Lawrence on its current tour dates.)
Markovitz and Rabin toured with a Fusion “supergroup” this fall, joining Scott Henderson, Mike Clark and Jeff Berlin for several dates in the Midwest and East Coast, and next year they already have spring dates booked with British Jazz Fusion great Allan Holdsworth, an influential guitarist who can count all-time guitar greats Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani and Frank Zappa amongst his fans.
Jazz writers have praised Marbin for its unique, magical creative chemistry, which has resulted in a unique sound that defies easy genre-classification. But, while touching on Prog, Folk, Pop and Ambient music, in spirit alone, the music is Jazz at its essence. (Mike Breen)
