ARTIST BIOS
Medeski, Martin and Wood’s (www.mmw.net) story is - like most great stories - one of humble beginnings, friendship, determination, a happy ending and a very bright future.
The trio of keyboard/organ/piano player John Medeski, drummer/percussionist Billy Martin, and bassist Chris Wood formed not in some vastly creative alternate universe, but rather in the neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, known as D.U.M.B.O. (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) in 1991. Medeski and Wood, students at Boston's prestigious New England Conservatory of Music, decided to move to New York City, with intent to explore the late-night underworld of the city's burgeoning jazz scene.
Gigs turned into multiple engagements, dates at small clubs led to performances at legendary New York City downtown hotspots like the Village Gate and the Knitting Factory, and soon the band was packed into Billy's van, traveling up and down the North Eastern United States. MMW recorded their debut, "Notes From The Underground," in 1993 they released "It's A Jungle In Here," 1994 saw the release of "Friday Afternoon in the Universe," and by 1995 their concert itinerary spread out and around the entire United States, and into Europe and Japan. In 1996, the band released "Shack-Man," which they celebrated with an 8-week Monday night residency at New York's Knitting Factory. At the turn of the new millennium, they released their all-acoustic album "Tonic," named for the Lower East Side club (and former kosher winery) where it was recorded. Today, Medeski Martin & Wood have come full circle by establishing their own label, Indirecto Records. The trio's first Indirecto release, "Out Louder," is a collaboration with guitarist John Scofield, which true-to-form is heavy on group improvisation, irresistible grooves, rich harmonies, and strong melodies.
The band also plans another first - a disc of children's music titled "Let's Go Everywhere" to be released on January 8, 2008 on Little Monster Records. Click here to listen.
