Marshall Jefferson December 5, 2008
647 Valencia Street
San Francisco, California 94110
San Francisco, California 94110
MARSHALL
JEFFERSON
There are a handful of men who have the title of "Godfather" of House. While many have legitimate claims to the title because of seniority and being there at the beginning, one stands out from the crowd as being the one that defined House music, and indeed dance music as we know it today. His name is Marshall Jefferson. In 1986 he played piano on a House record for the first time ever. The idea was so innovative that record companies told him that it wasn't even house music. That record was the platinum "House Music Anthem", and today you rarely hear a house record without piano.
Since then, Marshall's list of accomplishments in House music read like no one else. In 1987 he produced the first ever "Acid House" record "Acid Tracks" using the TB 303, and simultaneously launching the successful career of DJ Pierre. Also, he produced the first House record incorporating old tome soulful spiritual vocals, launching the successful careers of Ten City, Kim Mazelle and Ce Ce Rogers. All those early songs are blueprints for what we recognize today as Deep House, Garage and Techno music. The TB 303 is now the most sought after instrument for Techno artists and producers today.
It seems like almost every song Marshall produced turned into another form of music, which Marshall regrets, as he just wanted his songs to sound different from each other. Marshall was also the headline act in the first House music tour of Europe in 1987, and House music has remained since. The list of careers that Marshall has helped or launched reads like a who's who of dance music; Roy Davis Jr, Felix Da Housecat, Lil Louis, Frankie Knuckles, Steve "Silk" Hurley, and many others, not including thousands of producers/DJs that have been influenced by him. Come see Marshall play in SF for the first time in a decade at BODYHEAT this coming Friday December 5th at the Elbo Room.
- p l e a s e r e p o s t -
Added by BlackShag on December 2, 2008