Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble
“. . . a cross-cultural collaboration that spins & grooves.””
Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble’s The Heritage Ensemble—founded by composer/arranger/pianist Eugene Marlow—is a quintet that performs and records Marlow’s original compositions and arrangements of Hebraic melodies in various jazz, Afro-Caribbean, Brazilian, and classical styles.
The Heritage Ensemble has recorded eight albums on the MEII Enterprises indie label. Its recordings have been reviewed in dozens of publications, including the Los Angeles Times, Jazz Times, Jazzed Magazine, and Arts Westchester which reported “The Heritage Ensemble creates wonderful cultural connections through the universal language of music.” Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble has been described as “a cross-cultural collaboration that spins and grooves” by New York City Jazz Record.
The Ensemble’s “A Not So Silent Night” album (2017) earned four stars from Downbeat, and its homage to Brazil, “Obrigado Brasil” (2016) was selected as one of two premiums in the Latin jazz category by radio station WBGO.
Its recordings have been heard on dozens of domestic and international radio stations, including WBGO, the most listened to jazz radio station on the planet. Tracks from its various albums have been streamed and downloaded on digital platforms worldwide.
The quintet—with performances in over 60 traditional and non-traditional performance venues—includes award-winning composer/arranger pianist Dr. Eugene Marlow, multi-Grammy nominee drummer Bobby Sanabria, Phi Beta Kappa bassist Frank Wagner, NEA Performance grantee saxophonist Michael Hashim, and Nuyorican percussionist virtuoso Matthew Gonzalez. The Heritage Ensemble’s latest album is “Blue In Green: Original Compositions by Eugene Marlow Inspired by the Jazz Poems of Grace Schulman.”
More about Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble.
Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble
Celebrations is a collection of festive melodies from the Hebraic Songbook and original melodies in various jazz, Afro-Caribbean, Brazilian, and classical styles.
Read more below in “About the Album” and “Reviews”
Musicians:
Eugene Marlow, leader/piano
Bobby Sanabria, drums
Michael Hashim, alto and soprano saxophones
Frank Wagner, electric and acoustic bass
Cristian Rivera, percussion
Composer/Arranger: Eugene Marlow
Amelié Chérubin, Eugene Marlow
In Their own Voice (Vol. I) features French lyricist/songstress Amelié Chérubin on three tracks:
Le Phare (The Lighthouse) recounts the singer’s dream-like state while observing the lighthouse of the Eiffel Tower at night.
Je Ne Sais Plus (I don’t Know Anymore) is about a short-lived romantic relationship.
Mon Cher Ange (Dear Angel) is about an unattainable, perhaps, forbidden lover.
The lyrics are by Amelié Chérubin with original music by composer/producer Eugene Marlow. Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble is featured.
Read more below about the “In Their Own Voice” Series.
Musicians:
Amelié Cherubin vocals
Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble
Eugene Marlow, leader/piano
Bobby Sanabria, drums
Michael Hashim, alto and soprano saxophones
Frank Wagner, electric and acoustic bass
Matthew Gonzalez, percussion
Lyricist: Amelié Cherubin
Composer: Eugene Marlow
A Perfect Storm (Vol. II) features songstress Anne Mironchik. A Perfect Storm describes the cross-current of feelings during a relationship breakup. The lyrics are by Ms. Mironchik with original music composed by Eugene Marlow. Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble is featured. It is the second, digital-only, release in the “In Their Own Voice” series.
Read more below about the “In Their Own Voice” Series.
Musicians:
Anne Mironchik, vocals
Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble
Eugene Marlow, leader/piano
Bobby Sanabria, drums
Michael Hashim, alto and soprano saxophones
Frank Wagner, electric and acoustic bass
Matthew Gonzalez, percussion
Lyricist: Anne Mironchik
Composer/Arranger: Eugene Marlow
Go Like the Wind (Vol. III) features the prodigious talent of vocalist Shira Lissek. Go Like the Wind inspires the listener to let go of the past, get past fears, and move forward in one’s life. Based on a Latin-tinged composition by Eugene Marlow and lyrics by Ellen Woloshin. The musicians feature Grammy-winning virtuoso pianist Arturo O’Farrill, with Bobby Porcelli on alto saxophone.
Read more below about the “In Their Own Voice” Series.
Musicians:
Shira Lissek, vocals
Arturo O’Farrill, piano
Bobby Porcelli, saxophone
Rubin Rodrigez, bass
Phoenix Rivera, drums
Bobby Sanabria, percussion
Lyricist: Ellen Woloshin
Composer/Arranger: Eugene Marlow
For the Children (Vol. IV) features “voice extraordinaire” Shira Lissek. For the Children expresses every parent’s wish to give their children the best in life and their hopes for their children’s future; and for the generations that follow. The lyrics for this Latin-tinged composition are by Janet Lawson with instrumentals by Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble.
Read more below about the “In Their Own Voice” Series.
Musicians:
Shira Lisskek, vocals
Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble
Eugene Marlow, leader/piano
Bobby Sanabria, drums
Michael Hashim, alto and soprano saxophones
Frank Wagner, electric and acoustic bass
Matthew Gonzalez, percussion
Lyricist: Janet Lawson
Composer/Arranger: Eugene Marlow
Jenn Jade Ledesna, Eugene Marlow
Sin Mi (Without Me) (Vol. V) features the talent of vocalist Jenn Jade Ledesna. Sin Mi is a lament in a bolero mode from a woman’s perspective on the breakup of a relationship. The lyrics are by Rachel Kara Perez, with an original Latin-tinged composition by Eugene Marlow. Instrumentals are performed by Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble.
Read more below about the “In Their Own Voice” Series.
Musicians:
Jennifer Jade Ladesna, vocals
Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble
Eugene Marlow, leader/piano
Bobby Sanabria, drums
Michael Hashim, alto and soprano saxophones
Frank Wagner, electric and acoustic bass
Matthew Gonzalez, percussion
Lyricist: Rachel Kara Perez
Composer/Arranger: Eugene Marlow
Inside Blues (Vol. VI) features Grammy-nominated vocalist Carla Cook, who performs this spoken-word track which reflects the anger of a woman upon discovering her lover’s betrayal and self-centeredness. The lyrics are by Rachel Kara Perez, original composition by Eugene Marlow, instrumentals by Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble.
Read more below about the “In Their Own Voice” Series.
Musicians:
Carla Cook, vocals
Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble
Eugene Marlow, leader/piano
Bobby Sanabria, drums
Michael Hashim, alto and soprano saxophones
Frank Wagner, electric and acoustic bass
Matthew Gonzalez, percussion
Lyricist: Rachel Kara Perez
Composer/Arranger: Eugene Marlow
Reflections At Christmas (Vol. VII) features vocalist Mila Milosevic and keyboardist ArcoIris Sandoval. The song conveys a philosophical take on Christmas—as a woman reflects on Christmas from both her perspective from childhood and as an adult. Lyrics by Janet Lawson with original composition by Eugene Marlow.
Read more below about the “In Their Own Voice” Series.
Musicians:
Mila Milosevic, vocals
ArcoIris Sandoval, keyboards
Lyricist: Janet Lawson
Composer/Arranger: Eugene Marlow
Rachel Kara Perez, Eugene Marlow
Lullaby (Vol. VIII) features vocals by Rachel Kara Perez. This track expresses the love of a mother for a newborn child and the commitment of that mother to always be there for the child. The lyrics are by Amy Cervini. The piano solo is from Eugene Marlow’s album, Les Sentiments D’Amour, performed by virtuoso classical pianist Pianist Nada.
Read more below about the “In Their Own Voice” Series.
Musicians:
Rachel Kara Perez, vocals
Pianist Nada, piano
Lyricist: Amy Cervini
Composer/Arranger: Eugene Marlow
Rachel Kara Perez, Eugene Marlow
Whispers in the Air (Vol. IX) features vocals by Rachel Kara Perez. Whispers in the Air expresses and explores a woman’s realization that the relationship she is in is not “real.” with lyrics by Janet Lawson. Original Composition by Eugene Marlow and features Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble providing the instrumentals.
Read more below about the “In Their Own Voice” Series.
Musicians:
Rachel Kara Perez, vocals
Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble
Eugene Marlow, leader/piano
Bobby Sanabria, drums
Michael Hashim, alto and soprano saxophones
Frank Wagner, electric and acoustic bass
Matthew Gonzalez, percussion
Lyricist: Janet Lawson
Composer/Arranger: Eugene Marlow
Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble
Old World Melodies, New World Rhythms is narrated by Heritage Ensemble founder and leader Dr. Eugene Marlow.
In this six-minute track full of musical examples from many of The Heritage Ensemble’s albums, Marlow describes the Ensemble’s history, repertoire, and the multi-cultural nature of the players.
In his narrative Marlow also points to the choice of the Ensemble’s name incorporating the word “Heritage.” This was a purposeful tip of the hat to all the musical traditions and melodies that have come before, hence, the description “Old World Melodies.” The Ensemble also infuses its performances with jazz, Afro-Caribbean, and Brazilian rhythms, hence the description “New World Rhythms.”
Musicians:
Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble
Eugene Marlow, leader/arranger/piano
Michael Hashim, soprano & alto saxophone
Frank Wagner, acoustic and electric bass
Bobby Sanabria, drums
Matthew Gonzalez, percussion
Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble
A Not So Silent Night is a multi-track holiday album recorded by Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble celebrating an ecumenical array of Hebraic, Christian, and secular holiday music in various jazz, Afro-Caribbean, and Brazilian styles.
Read more below in “Reviews.”
Musicians:
Eugene Marlow, leader/piano
Bobby Sanabria, drums
Michael Hashim, alto and soprano saxophones
Frank Wagner, electric and acoustic bass
Cristian Rivera, percussion
Composer/Arranger: Eugene Marlow
Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble
Hallelujah is a 10-track anthology of arrangements of familiar Hebraic melodies and original compositions for piano and small ensemble in various jazz, Afro-Caribbean, and classical styles by pianist/composer Eugene Marlow, performed by his Heritage Ensemble.
Read more below in “About the Album.”
Musicians:
Eugene Marlow, leader/piano
Bobby Sanabria, drums
Michael Hashim, alto and soprano saxophones
Frank Wagner, electric and acoustic bass
Matthew Gonzalez, percussion
Classical portion of Yotvata performed by Nada Loutfi
Composer/Arranger: Eugene Marlow
Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble
Changes is a departure from Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble’s usual reportorial approach of performing arrangements and compositions of Hebraic melodies. All eight tracks are original compositions with a range of jazz styles from Latin, to swing and even scat.
Read more below in “About the Album” and “Reviews.”
Musicians:
Eugene Marlow, leader/arranger/piano
Bobby Sanabria, drums
Michael Hashim, alto and soprano saxophones
Frank Wagner, electric and acoustic bass
Matthew Gonzalez, percussion
Composer: Eugene Marlow
Eugene Marlow's Heritage Ensemble
A Fresh Take is a re-recording of Eugene Marlow’s arrangements on “Making the Music Our Own” (2006). Whereas the 2006 album consisted of a trio (with Marlow on piano), A Fresh Take is a new ensemble (quintet) consisting of Bobby Sanabria (drums), Michael Hashim (saxophones), Frank Wagner (bass), and Cristian Rivera (percussion). On this album, the group explores the “performance” possibilities of familiar Hebraic melodies in terms of chords, rhythmic patterns, meter, and melodic structure in various jazz styles, Afro-Caribbean, Brazilian, and classical genres.
Read more below in “About the Album” and “Reviews.”
Musicians:
Eugene Marlow, leader/piano
Bobby Sanabria, drums
Michael Hashim, alto and soprano saxophones
Frank Wagner, acoustic bass
Cristian Rivera, percussion
Rachel Kara Perez, Vocal (“Adon Olam”)
Arranger: Eugene Marlow
Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble
This nine-track album is composer/arranger Eugene Marlow’s first foray into recording his arrangements of Hebraic liturgical and folkloric melodies into various styles of jazz, Afro-Caribbean, and Brazilian genres.
Read more below in “About the Album” and “Reviews.”
Musicians:
Eugene Marlow, leader/piano
Darmon Meader, saxophones
Norm Lotz, bass
Gary Schwartzman. guitar
Barry Atlschul, drums
Arranger: Eugene Marlow
Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble
Mosaica attempts to convey a picture of the possibilities of cultural collaboration through music. Mosaica combines the word “musika,” —or music—and “mosaic.” —a picture or decoration made of small, usually colored pieces of inlaid stone, glass, et al.
The title of this album—the combination of the two words—is purposeful. The Heritage Ensemble reimagines popular Hebraic melodies in various jazz, Afro-Caribbean, Brazilian, and classical styles. Instead of small, usually colored pieces of inlaid stone, our materials are small, black notes on a page and the influences of various musical cultures. This is why the New York City Jazz Record called the ensemble “a cross-cultural collaboration that spins and grooves.”
Read more below in “About the Album” and “Reviews.”
Musicians:
Eugene Marlow, leader/piano
Bobby Sanabria, drums
Michael Hashim, alto and soprano saxophones
Frank Wagner, electric and acoustic bass
Matthew Gonzalez, percussion
Shira Lissek, vocals
Composer/Arranger: Eugene Marlow
Zikkaron/Kristallnacht is an original music track for solo piano composed and performed by Eugene Marlow for his documentary short “Zikkaron/Kristallnacht: A Family Story.” The track also includes narration by Ruth Landesberg Rack and incidental music at the end of the documentary performed by members of Eugene Marlow's Heritage Ensemble.
Read more below in “About the Track.”
Musicians:
Eugene Marlow's Heritage Ensemble
Eugene Marlow, piano
Bobby Sanabria, drums
Michael Hashim, soprano saxophone
Frank Wagner, bass
Composer: Eugene Marlow
Narrator: Ruth Rack
Poet Grace Schulman withEugene Marlow's Heritage Ensemble
Blue in Green Remix is a collaboration between award-winning poet Grace Schulman and composer Eugene Marlow. It incorporates revisions to several tracks of the original 2018 award-winning Blue in Green 20-track album. In this version each poem and accompanying music have been combined so that there are now 10 tracks instead of 20.
Read more below in “About the Album.”
Artist:
Grace Schulman, Poet/Spoken Word Artist
Musicians:
Eugene Marlow's Heritage Ensemble
Composer: Eugene Marlow
Poet Grace Schulman with Eugene Marlow's Heritage Ensemble
The inspiration for Blue In Green is The Jazz Poems of Grace Schulman (MEII Enterprises 2017). Poet Schulman is the 2016 Robert Frost awardee from the Poetry Society of America. Numerous jazz musicians are referenced in Schulman’s poems: Art Tatum, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Billy Holliday, Bill Evans, and Thelonious Monk, as well as classical violinist Itzhak Perlman and Danish author Chris Albertson. The challenge was to find compositions that reflected the content and tone of each of Schulman’s 10 jazz poems.
Read more below in “About the Album.”
Artist:
Grace Schulman, Poet/Spoken Word Artist
Musicians:
Eugene Marlow's Heritage Ensemble
Composer: Eugene Marlow
Eugene Marlow's Heritage Ensemble
Obrigado Brasil!—a nine track album of original sambas and bossa novas by award-winning Heritage Ensemble leader/pianist/composer Eugene Marlow—celebrates and pays homage to Brazilian musical culture that gave birth to the driving rhythms of the samba and the romantic feel of the bossa nova.
Read more below in “About the Album” and “Reviews”.
Musicians:
Eugene Marlow, leader/piano
Bobby Sanabria, drums/percussion/vocals
Michael Hashim, alto and soprano saxophones
Frank Wagner, acoustic and electric bass
ArcoIris Sandoval, guest pianist (Tracks 1,2,4, & 7)
Virginia Chang Chien, guest oboist (Track 8)
Composer/Arranger: Eugene Marlow