Quick Facts
Biography
Marzio Scholten (born in Granollers, Spain, 17 June 1982) is a Dutch jazz guitarist and composer.
Biography
He is regarded as one of the leading modern jazz guitarists and composers of the Netherlands and beyond. His Marzio Scholten Group is a household name in the Dutch modern jazz scene. In June 2008, after having graduated from the Amsterdam Conservatory two years earlier, he released his debut album 'Motherland'. This album already positioned him as one of Holland's top guitarists. In 2009 he was nominated for the Deloitte Jazz Award.
His second album 'World of Thought' was released in October 2010 and also received reviews worldwide, changing his status from 'promising' to 'leading' guitarist. Dutch national newspaper De Volkskrant saw him as "an example for his generation." A review in All About Jazz described Scholten as "delivering on significant promise, and with even greater portent on the road ahead" and the same reviewer selected 'World of Thought' as one of the best international releases of 2010. In the Netherlands 'World of Thought' also ended up in the Top 10 of best jazz releases that year.
In May 2012 Scholten released his highly anticipated third album 'Voids, Echoes And Whispers'. A major landmark in his career. This album received very positive feedback in amongst others, The Netherlands, USA and Japan, where the readers of Tokyo Jazz Notes selected 'Voids, Echoes And Whispers' as runner up in the category 'Best International Jazz Album' of 2012.
Scholten has played internationally on several important stages and festivals with his 'Marzio Scholten Quartet' and his 'Marzio Scholten Group'. A few examples are: North Sea Jazz Festival, Bimhuis, Muziekcentrum Vredenburg, Royal Theatre Carré and The Hague Jazz. So far his international tours have led him to the United States, Spain, Mexico, Germany, Greece, Cyprus, Italy and Kosovo.
Marzio Scholten's working bands – Marzio Scholten Group*/Marzio Scholten Quartet – exist of renowned and internationally acclaimed musicians. On saxophone; Yaniv Nachum, on piano; multiple Edison Award (Dutch equivalent to the Grammy) winner Randal Corsen*, on double bass; Stefan Lievestro (a.o. Mona Lisa Overdrive, Dee Dee Bridgewater) and on drums; Mark Schilders.
The compositions are written and arranged by guitarist and bandleader Scholten. Improvisation also is very important within the music, as well as the mixing of modern jazz with elements of other genres. Scholten's music can therefore be best described as modern creative jazz. Modern music: deep, intense and colourful.
Discography
As leader
- 2008: Motherland (O.A.P.)
- 2010: World of Thought (O.A.P.)
- 2012: Voids, Echoes and Whispers (self-produced)
- 2013: Garage Moi (self-produced)
- 2015: Here Comes A Riot (self-produced)
As a sideman
- 2010: Patches of Blue, Marike van Dijk
- 2011: Flow, Iman Spaargaren Quartet & Septet