Medeski Martin & Wood
Medeski Martin & Wood (MMW) are a jazz trio formed in 1991, consisting of John Medeski (piano, organ), Billy Martin (drums, percussion) and Chris Wood (double bass, bass guitar).
Originally a rather straightforward acoustic jazz trio, Medeski quickly added Hammond Organ when the difficulties of touring with a good piano became apparent. This more soul jazz oriented direction led to the incorporation of other musical genres: funk, hip hop and trip hop (DJ Logic is a frequent collaborator) and free jazz, recording with longtime Sun Ra saxophone player Marshall Allen. Medeski has utilized a number of keyboard instruments: mellotron, melodica, clavinet and more.
Performing on John Scofield's 1997 album A Go Go brought the band significant exposure, as did appearing at John Zorn's New Music Festival at Tonic, NYC.
MMW were quickly accepted by the so-called jam band touring circuit, where their funky, dancable and often very long songs appealed to audiences familiar with Phish, The Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers and other adventurous, jazz-influenced improvising groups.
Discography
- Notes from the Underground - 1992
- It's a Jungle in Here - 1993
- Friday Afternoon in the Universe - 1995
- Shack-man - 1996
- Farmer's Reserve - 1997
- Bubblehouse - 1997
- Combustication - 1998
- Combustication Remixes - 1999
- Last Chance to Dance Trance (Perhaps) - 1999
- Tonic - 2000
- The Dropper - 2000
- Electric Tonic - 2001
- Uninvisible - 2002
