In the year of 2000, Marilyn Mazur started a new drumming group.
PERCUSSION PARADISE’s concept is inspired by Primi Band, a large music-theatre group Marilyn had for many years in the 70’s and 80’s.
Like Primi, the new group is a purely female group focusing on percussion, voices, movement and magic, but this time it consists of 4 professional drummers and a singer, in fact Marilyn has succeeded in gathering the most active and exciting female percussionists on the danish music-scene, adding to this a vocal soloist as a natural extension of the raw rhythm of the group.
Marilyn has made imaginative structures and compositions for the group, that give space for intense rhythms, playful improvisation and sensitive moods. A ritual percussion-performance, with dramatic and narrative character, full of joyful spirits and emotional power.Typically for Marilyn, the music with it’s intuitive powers will inspire the listener’s heart to unfold it’s own dreams.
The group had it’s first performance at EXPO 2000 in the Christus Pavillion, Hannover, Gernany. Here the performance was formed as a solo-concert with Marilyn followed by the whole percussion quartet.
In 2001 the group was expanded with the wonderful singer Josefine Cronholm, with whom Marilyn has done many different collaborations.
Percussion Paradise performed as part of the Jazzpar-prize-concerts in connection with Marilyn being the prize-winner, the double-Cd All the Birds with these live recordings was released in 2002.
The group also performed at Roccella Jazzfestival, Leipziger Jazztage, Jazz in the City in Frankfurt, festivals in France, Norway, Finland and around Denmark.
The group has also been on several successful tours in Germany and Switzerland.
In 2005 Josefine had her 2nd baby and the group toured with brazilian singer Flora Purim and as a quartet. Percussion Paradise also took part in a gallaconcert for the norwegian 100 years-celebration of independance from Denmark at the Royal danish Theatre joined by trumpeter Nils Petter Molvær as special guest.
The idea is that the performances can vary in shape and expression after the kind of concerts we are doing, and our instrumentation changes from mobile drums to a myriad of sounds from the whole world. A major part of the soundpaintings is the group’s voices and grooves being used in powerful melodies, with Josefine stretching out as soloist.
The members of Marilyn Mazur's PERCUSSION PARADISE are:
Born 1964, experienced drummer in the fields of jazz and afro-music, she also teaches and composes. Educated at the Rhythmic Conservatory of Copenhagen. She received the Ben Webster-prize 98.
Plays with Marie Bergmann/Andy Sheppard + Maj-Britt Kramer Trio, Ghanaian Inspiration, Sophisticated Ladies and a new trio with Tore Brunborg and Anders Jormin.
Benita also worked with Richard Boone, John Tchicai, Fred Hopkins, Idrees Sulieman, Johnny Griffin, Duke Jordan, Muhal Richard Abrahms, Jesper Thilo, Bent Jædig, Otremma Pra and Ayi Solomon.
Born 1969, widely used percussionist, has played in many constellations of nordic jazz, latin and related musicforms, i.e. with Django Bates, Steve Swallow and Bobo Stensson.
Lisbeth has worked at the Jazz Baltica Festival for several years as a member of the Jazz Baltica Ensemble, also doing a percussion-trio there with Trilok Gurtu and Airto in 96, and with Marilyn and Don Alias in 99.
She can be heard on Thule Spirit /The Drum Songs (Virgin Rec. 97), Lena Willemark’s “Windogar” (Amigo Rec. 2000) and Anders Jormin’s “Jord” (Dragon 95).
released her own music on the CD Chime in 2005.
Born 1967, a devoted musician and sound-explorer, she has played and made music for various theatre-performances and concerts. She also has her own trio.
Percussionist in Savage Rose 90-93. Participated in “The Big Bang” with Han Bennink and Alex Riel, Lars Jansson and Palle Danielsson at the Molde festival 95. Worked in projects and recordings with Nils Petter Molvær, Anders Jormin and the nordic women-big band April Light Orch. In 99 she performed Marilyn’s solo-percussion-composition for the scandinavian church-play “The ship is filled with...”
released the CD Forbidden Forest with her own project in 2004.
Born 1971, swedish singer, residing in Copenhagen for 5 years, graduated from the danish Rhythmic Music Conservatory last year, already singing all over Europe -and on recordings- with i.e. Django Bates and Pierre Dørges New Jungle Orch. She has her own group IBIS, playing her compositions, with Lisbeth Diers among the members. Ibis has released 2 CD’s. Thanks to her beautiful voice and strong musical flexibility she is invited as soloist for many projects. She can be heard together with Marilyn on Frans Bak’s NATSANGE (STUNT Rec.) and on Anker/Mazur/Crispell (DaCapo 2001).
Born 1955, has played all over the world in many contexts of music .She is based in Copenhagen, where she has been leading many groups and projects through the more than 30 years of her musical career up till now. In the beginning performing as pianist and dancer, later and now primarily as a drummer, composer and bandleader. She works a lot with her own unique music - writing for and playing with her group FUTURE SONG and various other exciting settings, but Marilyn is largely known as a member of other great musician’s bands, i.e. Miles Davis Group (1985/86 + 88/89); Wayne Shorter Quintet and Gil Evans Orchestra (1987) and Jan Garbarek Group (since 1991).
