Marc Smason is a name that is well known in the Pacific NW and beyond. He has been developing his unique trombone and vocal styles now for over half a century.
Marc Smason’s musical influences range from modern jazz to West African drumming, aboriginal Australian didgeridoo to Jewish folk music and Oaxacan rhythms.He’s performed around the world with legends such as Benny Green,The Funk Brothers, Julian Priester, Big Joe Turner, Baby Gramps, Carlos Santana, Andy Statman, Marina Albero, Sam Shepherd, Burton Greene, Eddie Henderson, Sonny Simmons, Joe Henderson, Perry Robinson, Amy Denio, Roberta Donnay, Michael White, Hadley Caliman, Jeff Johnson, Bert Wilson, Jay Thomas, Michael Bisio and Seattle’s own klezmer band, The Mazeltones.
His versatile background enables him to fit many musical roles and cater to a wide variety of audiences. He has seen him invoke the power of music to conjure joy and celebration, as well as working for equity and justice and fighting fascism in the streets.He joins his brass brothers and sisters during Honkfest celebrations around North America to fill neighborhood spaces with the sounds of horns and percussion and dancing.
Marc’s passion for life and his political involvement are inextricably tied to his music. He has made it his mission to write and play on behalf of the disenfranchised - he plays for the climate, he highlights the injustices of our time and calls out corruption and systemic oppression.
With his undeniable talent and wit, he effortlessly brings generations together through music. Coming from a family steeped in show business, he often resurrects old jazz and show tunes, educating his audiences about the composers and giving historical context for the era in which they were written.
At this time, their friends and family would like to honor Marc Smason life-long contributions to his community by organizing concerts highlighting original pieces and arrangements in collaboration with his musical compatriots.
He humbly reach out to you in search of support for this endeavor. We are looking for support in the form of donations, grants, venue space, sound system, catering, etc. Please let us know if you are interested and able to contribute, in any way, to this undertaking.
Marc Smason & the Kats Smason - trombone/vox/percussion
Jeremy Shaskus - reeds
Eric Vaughn - piano
Michael Barnett - bass
Sandy Greenbaum - dr
Laura Oviedo - perc./vox
Refreshments available
$0 for kids
