Story (a short Biography)
Out of the Great North Woods of Minneapolis/St. Paul comes a swaggering, foot stomping, heart pumping, minstrel laying waste to any instrument that comes within ten fingers of his sweaty reach. From nine years of age on, furious fiddle was joined by an assortment of guitars and harmonicas, recorder and tin whistle. Later on, madcap mandolin sat in with banjo, keys and percussion.
As the tapestry of bands starts to unroll, names include The Numbers, Steel Cats, MG & the Untouchables. Marv was with the Mrozinsky Brothers when they were awarded best variety combo from the Minnesota Music Academy. Joined up with Phil Solem to become one of the original REMBRANDTS ("Just The Way It Is Baby", "I'll Be There For You-theme song from Friends"). Co-wrote the song "Crossing Lines" with Phil and Mic Tienken used on the CBS drama The Young & The Restless and the documentary film Michael Moore Hates America. There were stints with GB Leighton and Chace Roberts ("Got It Bad For You").
With the band Kevin Bowe & the Okemah Prophets Marv recorded 3 CDs. The independently released "Restoration" and "Love Songs & Murder Ballads" were followed by the international release "Angels On The Freeway" on Corazong Records of Holland. The Prophets traveled to Oklahoma to sing with Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie. A fourth CD was recorded live with a combined band of Kevin & Minnesota favorite Mick Sterling titled "Doin' It For The People".
The story continues with time spent with the acoustic jazz of Late For Lunch, and the rock of St. Paul institution Vintage Raggs. More recently Marv hitched up to the country rock duet Hitchville "Even When It's Bad It's Good" & “Whoop It Up” and released 2 CDs. For eight years playing close to 150 shows a year ranging from birthday parties to WE Fest (largest country music festival in the US) four years in a row. On the beach in Cancun with the MN Vikings, Target Field with the MN Twins, the iconic First Avenue, along with crowd surfing in Lake City there were so many amazing shows.
Woven through all this, and what Marv is currently focused on is life as a solo artist. Playing the music that is closest to his heart, in a style which could be called Americana & Folk Rock. A solo album is forthcoming. Currently Marv can also be seen freelancing with several groups including: a duet with Kaatwalk, the Shalo Lee Band, Curtiss A’s Lennon Tribute, Shane Martin's Songs of the South-Alabama Tribute, and Relativity. It's a strange and wonderful world, connecting with people and the pure joy of making music.
