Collingswood Neighborhood Concerts presents drummer Marlon Simon and the Nagual Spirits

Pianist Suzzette Ortiz proudly hosts “Jazz in the Wood,” First Thursdays Neighborhood Concerts at the Collingswood Community Center, 30 Collings Ave, Collingswood, NJ 08108. Showtime is 7:30-9:00 pm. Tickets: $15 in advance ($20 at the door). Students $5 and children under 12 FREE!

Marlon Simon and the Nagual Spirits Return With the Ambitious New Album “On Different Paths.” Marlon Simon – drum set, musical director Alex Norris – Trumpet/flugelhorn Peter Brainin – tenor/soprano saxophone Silvano Monasterios – Piano Gabriel Vivas – bass Roberto Quintero – congas/percussion

This performance is made possible with the support of Jazz Bridge and Jazz Road, a national initiative of South Arts, which is funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation with additional support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and The Aaron Copland music fund.

Marlon Simon arrived to the USA in 1987 with a burning desire to study Jazz music. In 1991 he obtained his Bachelors in jazz performance and contemporary music issued by The New School for Social Research. It took him many years working locally in the city of New York until he was in demand by major names in the Jazz and Latin scene. He has performed and recorded with artist such as Hilton Ruiz, Jerry González, Dave Valentin, Bobby Watson, Charles Fambrough and crossing boundaries to Aretha Franklin.

It was in 1994 when Marlon decided to form his own band “The Nagual Spirits” to feature his talent as a performer and composer. He has produced six international acclaimed albums as a leader. Parallel to his career a performer Marlon has develop a strong reputation as a teacher presenting hundreds of workshops and master classes at colleges, universities and unprivileged public schools in the tri-state area. He is the recipient of numerous grants and awards in arts and education and his music has taken him to places like Canada, Poland, Netherland Antilles, Bolivia, France and Australia.