Everyone’s story to success is a bit different, but no matter how you got there, the likelihood is that you deserved it. While some folks have the luxury of “knowing
someone in the business,” most of us don’t. This is where just being damn good and being willing to do anything matters. The story of one of Smooth Jazz’s hottest performers, Marion Meadows, is just one such story.
Marion Meadows was “discovered” while playing in NYC’s Grand Central Station. Jay Chattaway, who was working with Bob James at the time introduced himself and eventually signed Marion to his record label, TappenZee.
Meadows was born in West Virginia and grew up in Stamford, Connecticut. He
began playing the clarinet and studying classical music at the age of eight. In
high school, Meadows began to play the soprano saxophone and played tenor
through most of his college years. His passion for music led him to appreciate
the work of many jazz musicians such as Stevie Wonder and Duke Ellington. After
studying jazz with Anthony Truglia, Meadows attended Berklee College of Music,
where he majored in arranging and composition. He later went to the SUNY
Purchase School for the Arts, where he studied under Ron Herder.
Although Meadows’ first recording went unreleased, the experience of
recording with Bob James put him on the road to his eventual success. Meadows
collaborated up with numerous artists and musicians in the 80s, recording or
performing over the years with Brook Benton, Eartha Kitt, Phyllis Hyman, Jean
Carne, The Temptations, Michael Bolton, Angela Bofill, Will Downing and Native
American flute player Douglas Spotted Eagle, among others.
He has 9 Albums to his name! Do we even call them Albums anymore?
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