Funky Marmalade on TōST
By Ramon Shiloh
MARMALADE WILL NOW BE AT HIGH DIVE IN FREMONT; ADJACENT FROM THEN "TosT/WHITE RABBIT" BEGINNING JANUARY 9TH, 2014
As Quincy Jones put it, ”If you started in New York, you were dealing with the biggest guys in the world. You’re dealing with Charlie Parker and all the big bands and everything. We got more experience working in Seattle.”
Seattle will forever be a beacon of hope for budding musicians on the hunt for a new sound, creative freedom and experience in a thriving music scene. Of course, the difficulty in solidifying your musicianship in any community is finding that perfect venue to be seen and heard.
As one local street-performing guitar legend explained outside Pike Place Market, “I’m looking for lost souls like myself who need each other to befriend, become, inspire and perform so our message is heard. It’s a bummer man, to be out here and play for nothing. But, there’s no venue that would elevate me to rock these people out of the water. If Seattle’s music dies, then what do we have? Thousands of people like me on the street, struggling to be heard, are what you’ll find. But in my case, I gave up a long time ago.”
This long-timer’s testimonial echoes a terrifying wake up call for musicians and fans on the prowl for harmonious recognition. Before his fingers begin to lovingly strum the strings, he looks at me with solemn eyes and says, “If you do find your voice, make sure you have people in your corner. It’s the only way your music will survive. To be around people who love your musical style is the number one gem to hold on to.”
For one local band, that gem resides in the fans known as Marmaladians, who converge on Thursday nights at 36th Ave. and Evanston St. in Seattle’s funky Fremont neighborhood. TōST, a self-described “industrial chic” martini bar and restaurant, provides an intimate, sophisticated environment that perfectly complements Marmalade’s improvisational approach to Soul, R&B and Funk.
The patrons, hypnotized by the homey vibe, sink into their cushioned seats and warm themselves by the nearby fireplace. The art lining the tranquil walls is astounding. On stage, the band members from Marmalade are unpacking their instruments. Out comes a bass guitar, a keyboard, an amplifier, a talk box. Is that a spin table? More band members show up and begin tuning a trumpet, a sax, a flugelhorn. It looks like DJ Million (Davee C), the “rock” of Marmalade, has opted to play his experimental drum beats facing the crowd this evening.
As customers begin to fill every cavity of this majestic lounge, DJ Leopold Bloom spins his LPs. Considered the “human incense”, he’s the one responsible for setting the mood for the evening. As the tempo from his turntables fades, a spontaneous composition erupts from drummer DJ Million. Suddenly, Little Black Devil’s, aka LBD, (Bob Lovelace) bass riffs vibrate across the room, sending an energizing buzz down my spine.
As if tuned in to some internal rhythm no one in the crowd can heart, all 10 members on the 10-foot by 15-foot stage chime in, personalizing the groove with their own signature stamps as masters of musical improvisation.
A Rocky Road to Success
Marmalade currently holds the honor as one of the longest-running bands in Fremont. During a break, vocalist and keyboardist Chad Redlight, one of the original members of the band, divulges a bit of historical information about the ever-evolving group known as Marmalade.
In 2001, Redlight, who was playing with nuSoltribe, and Laura Piece Kelly, who was jamming with Jambalaya, decided they wanted a night for “our music.” “It was Piece’s conceptualization and continuation of Jambalaya that formed Marmalade at TōST,” Redlight recalls. “We brought in StingShark on guitar, Bob Lovelace on bass, Faith on drums, Dominic on sax, and with Victor Trey Funklove on vocals, we began to develop.”
“It took a while to build up our fan base,” Redlight admits. “In the beginning, it was rocky. Our blessings go to TōST because they gave us a long time to develop. There were many night’s where the only people in the crowds were our girlfriends and close friends.”
“[But,] this is a place for people to consistently visit and let themselves free,” the hook maker and Neo-Soul crooner says about TōST. “It’s like cement that never dries and just keeps on building. There are people that come and sit in with the band that I respect and admire so much. They add layers to our group.”
Marmalade is a band with many traditional and contemporary influences. Their genre, which the band labels Groove, is as eclectic as their personalities. Kimo Muraki, who plays the sax, vos, talk box and guitar, has a laidback, sobering spirit that glitters with every note he blows. Silent Buddhaful Mike’s notes make you feel as if you are traveling through space, yet they still manage to be intimate in some way. Big Talk (Jon Ryser), who always appears on stage either barefoot or in socks, projects an island of calm in the chaotic energy of the band.
Lovelace’s bass technique and lyrical rhymes would make Grammy award-winning artist MeShell Ndgeocello blush, while Ernest Pumphrey Jr. has an uncanny instinct to flow in between notes before the drumsticks plant themselves. A Formula One race car driver when he plays guitar, StingShark offers up a mix of Reggae, Funk, Soul and Rock, which is why his followers see him as the “hybrid.” Changing every note he picks up on, Chris Littlefield on the trumpet brings an abundance of deep musical theory in his groove licks. Lastly, Diano Garcia has earned his rightful place in bringing out world beats through his congas and bongos.
Like the original founding members, each musician plays in other bands. The attraction to play in Marmalade comes from the freedom to invent new music that the band describes will “move your body and soul.” “Positive, energetic and free, the group encourages one to be oneself,” Marmalade says on its MySpace site. “That the only way to be cool is to be you. [We] are more than a band.”
What Marmalade brings to Seattle is an undying measure of great music and fascination to those who want to be entertained and inspired. Marmalade’s message is simple: Forget about your responsibilities and come together as equals. It’s a gift to be alive around diverse cultures in these difficult times.
Marmalade: A Final Thought
Marmalade undoubtedly sets itself apart musically from all of the other bands in Seattle’s flourishing Groove scene. However, their spirit of honor to the community and their support of those in need, are always present on stage.
JUA LEKUNDU Foundation (Red Suân in Swahili), an organization founded by Chad Redlight and his wife Seka Glory Mkini, shares awareness toward their initial efforts to build a center consisting of an HIV orphanage, school/community center and to bring solar energy to the East African region.
The true magic of Marmalade is in the organic nature in which it evolves and reveals itself every Thursday night in Fremont. Like Marmalade, there is no doubt that Seattle’s music scene will continue to flourish and produce extraordinary musicians.
To the guitar player at Pike Place Market, you, too, have been heard. Keep jammin’ man.
Follow Marmalade on their Facebook Page for Updates and Music Info at: Marmalade Info
Also Questions regarding the JUA LEKUNDU Foundation can be directed to jualekundu@gmail.com.
© 12/15/2008
By Ramon Shiloh
UPDATE:
***DECEMBER 28TH 2013***MARMALADE WILL NOW BE AT HIGH DIVE IN FREMONT; ADJACENT FROM THEN "TosT/WHITE RABBIT" BEGINNING JANUARY 9TH, 2014
As Quincy Jones put it, ”If you started in New York, you were dealing with the biggest guys in the world. You’re dealing with Charlie Parker and all the big bands and everything. We got more experience working in Seattle.”
Seattle will forever be a beacon of hope for budding musicians on the hunt for a new sound, creative freedom and experience in a thriving music scene. Of course, the difficulty in solidifying your musicianship in any community is finding that perfect venue to be seen and heard.
As one local street-performing guitar legend explained outside Pike Place Market, “I’m looking for lost souls like myself who need each other to befriend, become, inspire and perform so our message is heard. It’s a bummer man, to be out here and play for nothing. But, there’s no venue that would elevate me to rock these people out of the water. If Seattle’s music dies, then what do we have? Thousands of people like me on the street, struggling to be heard, are what you’ll find. But in my case, I gave up a long time ago.”
This long-timer’s testimonial echoes a terrifying wake up call for musicians and fans on the prowl for harmonious recognition. Before his fingers begin to lovingly strum the strings, he looks at me with solemn eyes and says, “If you do find your voice, make sure you have people in your corner. It’s the only way your music will survive. To be around people who love your musical style is the number one gem to hold on to.”
For one local band, that gem resides in the fans known as Marmaladians, who converge on Thursday nights at 36th Ave. and Evanston St. in Seattle’s funky Fremont neighborhood. TōST, a self-described “industrial chic” martini bar and restaurant, provides an intimate, sophisticated environment that perfectly complements Marmalade’s improvisational approach to Soul, R&B and Funk.
The patrons, hypnotized by the homey vibe, sink into their cushioned seats and warm themselves by the nearby fireplace. The art lining the tranquil walls is astounding. On stage, the band members from Marmalade are unpacking their instruments. Out comes a bass guitar, a keyboard, an amplifier, a talk box. Is that a spin table? More band members show up and begin tuning a trumpet, a sax, a flugelhorn. It looks like DJ Million (Davee C), the “rock” of Marmalade, has opted to play his experimental drum beats facing the crowd this evening.
As customers begin to fill every cavity of this majestic lounge, DJ Leopold Bloom spins his LPs. Considered the “human incense”, he’s the one responsible for setting the mood for the evening. As the tempo from his turntables fades, a spontaneous composition erupts from drummer DJ Million. Suddenly, Little Black Devil’s, aka LBD, (Bob Lovelace) bass riffs vibrate across the room, sending an energizing buzz down my spine.
As if tuned in to some internal rhythm no one in the crowd can heart, all 10 members on the 10-foot by 15-foot stage chime in, personalizing the groove with their own signature stamps as masters of musical improvisation.
A Rocky Road to Success
Marmalade currently holds the honor as one of the longest-running bands in Fremont. During a break, vocalist and keyboardist Chad Redlight, one of the original members of the band, divulges a bit of historical information about the ever-evolving group known as Marmalade.
In 2001, Redlight, who was playing with nuSoltribe, and Laura Piece Kelly, who was jamming with Jambalaya, decided they wanted a night for “our music.” “It was Piece’s conceptualization and continuation of Jambalaya that formed Marmalade at TōST,” Redlight recalls. “We brought in StingShark on guitar, Bob Lovelace on bass, Faith on drums, Dominic on sax, and with Victor Trey Funklove on vocals, we began to develop.”
“It took a while to build up our fan base,” Redlight admits. “In the beginning, it was rocky. Our blessings go to TōST because they gave us a long time to develop. There were many night’s where the only people in the crowds were our girlfriends and close friends.”
“[But,] this is a place for people to consistently visit and let themselves free,” the hook maker and Neo-Soul crooner says about TōST. “It’s like cement that never dries and just keeps on building. There are people that come and sit in with the band that I respect and admire so much. They add layers to our group.”
Marmalade is a band with many traditional and contemporary influences. Their genre, which the band labels Groove, is as eclectic as their personalities. Kimo Muraki, who plays the sax, vos, talk box and guitar, has a laidback, sobering spirit that glitters with every note he blows. Silent Buddhaful Mike’s notes make you feel as if you are traveling through space, yet they still manage to be intimate in some way. Big Talk (Jon Ryser), who always appears on stage either barefoot or in socks, projects an island of calm in the chaotic energy of the band.
Lovelace’s bass technique and lyrical rhymes would make Grammy award-winning artist MeShell Ndgeocello blush, while Ernest Pumphrey Jr. has an uncanny instinct to flow in between notes before the drumsticks plant themselves. A Formula One race car driver when he plays guitar, StingShark offers up a mix of Reggae, Funk, Soul and Rock, which is why his followers see him as the “hybrid.” Changing every note he picks up on, Chris Littlefield on the trumpet brings an abundance of deep musical theory in his groove licks. Lastly, Diano Garcia has earned his rightful place in bringing out world beats through his congas and bongos.
Like the original founding members, each musician plays in other bands. The attraction to play in Marmalade comes from the freedom to invent new music that the band describes will “move your body and soul.” “Positive, energetic and free, the group encourages one to be oneself,” Marmalade says on its MySpace site. “That the only way to be cool is to be you. [We] are more than a band.”
What Marmalade brings to Seattle is an undying measure of great music and fascination to those who want to be entertained and inspired. Marmalade’s message is simple: Forget about your responsibilities and come together as equals. It’s a gift to be alive around diverse cultures in these difficult times.
Marmalade: A Final Thought
Marmalade undoubtedly sets itself apart musically from all of the other bands in Seattle’s flourishing Groove scene. However, their spirit of honor to the community and their support of those in need, are always present on stage.
JUA LEKUNDU Foundation (Red Suân in Swahili), an organization founded by Chad Redlight and his wife Seka Glory Mkini, shares awareness toward their initial efforts to build a center consisting of an HIV orphanage, school/community center and to bring solar energy to the East African region.
The true magic of Marmalade is in the organic nature in which it evolves and reveals itself every Thursday night in Fremont. Like Marmalade, there is no doubt that Seattle’s music scene will continue to flourish and produce extraordinary musicians.
To the guitar player at Pike Place Market, you, too, have been heard. Keep jammin’ man.
Follow Marmalade on their Facebook Page for Updates and Music Info at: Marmalade Info
Also Questions regarding the JUA LEKUNDU Foundation can be directed to jualekundu@gmail.com.
© 12/15/2008
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