Anthony John Medeski (born June 28, 1965) is an American jazz keyboard player and composer. Medeski is a veteran of New York's 1990s avant-garde jazz scene and is known popularly as a member of Medeski Martin & Wood. He plays the acoustic piano and an eclectic array of keyboards, including the Hammond B3 organ, melodica,

mellotron The Mellotron is an electro-mechanical musical instrument developed in Birmingham, England, in 1963. It is played by pressing its keys, each of which pushes a length of magnetic tape against a capstan, which pulls it across a playback head. A ...

clavinet The Clavinet is an electrically amplified clavichord invented by Ernst Zacharias and manufactured by the Hohner company of Trossingen, West Germany, from 1964 to 1982. The instrument produces sounds by a rubber pad striking a point on a tension ...

ARP String Ensemble The Solina String Ensemble, also marketed as the ARP String Ensemble, is a fully polyphonic multi-orchestral synthesizer with a 49-key keyboard, produced by Eminent BV (known for their ''Solina'' brand). It was distributed in the United States by ...

, Wurlitzer electric piano, Moog Voyager Synthesizer, Wurlitzer 7300 Combo Organ, Vox Continental Baroque organ, and Yamaha CS-1 Synthesizer (a "kids' toy"), among others. When playing acoustic piano, Medeski usually plays the Steinway piano and is listed as a

Steinway Artist Steinway & Sons, also known as Steinway (), is a German-American piano company, founded in 1853 in Manhattan by German piano builder Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg (later known as Henry E. Steinway). The company's growth led to the opening of a ...

Biography

Medeski was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and grew up in Florida. After studying piano as a child (starting when he was five years old), he began as a teenager to perform with musicians such as Mark Murphy and Jaco Pastorius. He attended Pine Crest School. In 1983, after graduating from high school, he began studying piano at the

New England Conservatory The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) is a private music school in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the oldest independent music conservatory in the United States and among the most prestigious in the world. The conservatory is located on Hu ...

in Boston, where he performed as a

sideman A sideman is a professional musician who is hired to perform live with a solo artist, or with a group in which they are not a regular band member. The term is usually used to describe musicians that play with jazz or rock artists, whether solo ...

with Dewey Redman, Billy Higgins,

Bob Mintzer Robert Alan Mintzer (born January 27, 1953) is an American jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, and big band leader. Early life Mintzer was born and raised in a Jewish family in New Rochelle, New York, on January 27, 1953. He attended the Inter ...

, Alan Dawson. Medeski attributes his early interest in playing improvised music and jazz to listening to Oscar Peterson. Medeski performs in a range of musical styles, from accessible groove based funk and jazz (such as the MMW albums and '' A Go Go'' with John Scofield) to more experimental music (including many of

John Zorn John Zorn (born September 2, 1953) is an American composer, conductor, saxophonist, arranger and producer who "deliberately resists category". Zorn's avant-garde and experimental approaches to composition and improvisation are inclusive of jaz ...

's projects: Duras: Duchamp, Interzone, Liber Novus, Nova Express,

Dreamachines ''Dreamachines'' is an album by John Zorn recorded in New York City in April 2013 and released on the Tzadik Records, Tzadik label in July 2013.Templars: In Sacred Blood,

At the Gates of Paradise ''At the Gates of Paradise'' is an album by John Zorn released on Zorn's own label, Tzadik Records, in 2011 and featuring music inspired by William Blake and the Gnostic texts from the Nag Hammadi library.David Fiuczynski). Medeski is best known for his work with Medeski Martin & Wood including drummer and percussionist Billy Martin and bassist Chris Wood. The trio formed in New York in 1991 playing gigs at The Village Gate. Since the mid-1990s they have toured steadily in both national and international funk, jazz, and jam music scenes. The band has collaborated with such musicians as

Iggy Pop James Newell Osterberg Jr. (born April 21, 1947), known professionally as Iggy Pop, is an American singer, musician, songwriter and actor. Called the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Godfather of Punk", he was the vocalist and lyricist of ...

, Trey Anastasio and John Scofield. Medeski produced and was featured on the Dirty Dozen Brass Band's 1999 release ''Buckjump''. Also in 1999, he played the organ on two tracks of the Morphine album '' The Night''. In 2000, Medeski became a member of The Word, a bluesy gospel style project with members Robert Randolph (pedal steel) from Robert Randolph and the Family Band, brothers Luther Dickinson (guitar) and

Cody Dickinson North Mississippi Allstars is an American blues and southern rock band from Hernando, Mississippi, founded in 1996. The band is currently composed of brothers Luther Dickinson (guitar, lowebow, vocals) and Cody Dickinson (drums, keyboards, electr ...

(drums), and Chris Chew (bass) of North Mississippi Allstars. The band released a self-titled album in 2001 and toured in 2001 and 2002. The band reunited in 2005 for a performance at the

Bonnaroo Music Festival The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is an American annual four-day music festival developed and founded by Superfly Presents and AC Entertainment. Since its first year in 2002, it has been held at what is now Great Stage Park on a farm in ...

, and they embarked on tour again in late 2007. He has also occasionally performed with Phil Lesh and Friends. Medeski was a guest on Marian McPartland's ''

Piano Jazz ''Piano Jazz'' is a weekly one-hour radio show produced and distributed by National Public Radio (NPR). It began on June 4, 1978, and was hosted by jazz pianist Marian McPartland (1918–2013) until 2011. It is the longest-running cultural pro ...

'' radio program on September 27, 2005. During the show he talked at length about his formal training on the piano, his approach to playing music, and some of the musicians that he admires the most. He performed several songs by Thelonious Monk and other composers, as well as the

Medeski, Martin & Wood Medeski Martin & Wood (or MMW) is an American jazz fusion band formed in 1991, consisting of John Medeski on keyboards, Billy Martin on drums, and Chris Wood on bass. The band is influenced by musical traditions including funk and hip hop an ...

classic "Bubblehouse". The show was released on compact disc on April 4, 2006. Medeski was also an inaugural member of the Independent Music Awards' judging panel to support independent artists. On July 14, 2006, John Medeski & The Itch performed their debut gig at the All Good Music Festival in

Masontown, West Virginia Masontown is a town in western Preston County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 510 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Morgantown metropolitan area. History Masontown was laid out and platted in 1856. The town was named after W ...

. The Itch consists of Eric Krasno (guitar) of

Soulive Soulive is a funk/jazz trio that originated in Woodstock, New York, and is known for its solos and catchy, upbeat songs. The band consists of Eric Krasno (guitar), Alan Evans (drums) and Neal Evans (Hammond B3 organ, bass keys, clavinet). Althoug ...

and Adam Deitch (drums) with Medeski playing a B3 Organ. Also in 2006, Medeski performed with The Million Dollar Bashers for the recording of the soundtrack to the Bob Dylan biopic, '' I'm Not There''. In 2008, Medeski was featured on guitarist Will Bernard's ''

Blue Plate Special A blue-plate special is a discount-priced meal that usually changes daily: a term used in the United States and Canada by restaurants, especially diners and cafes. The term was very common from the 1920s through the 1950s. , there are still a fe ...

'' album. In 2012, Medeski was featured on progressive rock band Coheed and Cambria's albums " The Afterman: Ascension" and " The Afterman: Descension," performing piano, clavinet and synthesizer parts. In 2016, Medeski formed the

supergroup Supergroup or super group may refer to: * Supergroup (music), a music group formed by artists who are already notable or respected in their fields * Supergroup (physics), a generalization of groups, used in the study of supersymmetry * Supergroup ...

Saudade along with Chino Moreno of Deftones,

Team Sleep Team Sleep is an American experimental alternative rock/post-rock group led by singer/guitarist Chino Moreno. Moreno is better known for fronting the Sacramento-based alternative metal band Deftones. Other current members include guitarist Todd ...

, Palms, and

Crosses Crosses may refer to: * Cross, the symbol Geography * Crosses, Cher, a French municipality * Crosses, Arkansas, a small community located in the Ozarks of north west Arkansas Language * Crosses, a truce term used in East Anglia and Lincolnshire ...

; guitarist Dr. Know of Bad Brains; bassist Chuck Doom of Crosses and Team Sleep; and drummer Mackie Jayson of Cro-Mags and Bad Brains. In 2018, Medeski formed John Medeski's Mad Skillet with two members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. They recorded an album in New Orleans and toured subsequently.

Discography

;Solo * '' A Different Time'' (OKeh, 2013) * ''John Medeski's Mad Skillet'' (Indirecto, 2018) ;With Medeski Martin & Wood * '' Notes from the Underground'' (Gramavision, 1992) * ''

It's a Jungle in Here ''It's a Jungle in Here'' is an album by the experimental jazz funk trio Medeski Martin & Wood, released in 1993. The trio supported the album by playing shows with Bio Ritmo. "Bemsha Swing/ Lively Up Yourself" is a medley of Thelonious Monk and Bo ...

'' (Gramavision, 1993) * ''

Friday Afternoon in the Universe ''Friday Afternoon in the Universe'' is an album by the experimental jazz fusion trio Medeski Martin & Wood. The album title is taken from the opening sentence of "Old Angel Midnight", by Jack Kerouac. Critical reception ''Trouser Press'' wrote ...

'' (Gramavision, 1995) * ''

Shack-man ''Shack-man'' is an album by experimental jazz fusion trio Medeski Martin & Wood, released in 1996. It peaked at #7 on the ''Billboard'' Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. Production The album was recorded in an isolated shack in Hawaii, with power ...

'' (Gramavision, 1996) * ''

Farmer's Reserve ''Farmer's Reserve'' is an album released by experimental jazz-funk organ trio Medeski, Martin & Wood. It consists of one 40-minute minimalist improvisation followed by a 15-minute epilogue. It was originally only available at the band's conc ...

'' (Indirecto, 1997) * ''

Bubblehouse ''Bubblehouse'' is an EP released by experimental jazz funk organ trio Medeski Martin & Wood. Track listing All music by Medeski Martin & Wood. # "Bubblehouse" – 4:17 # "Bubblehouse BBQ Mix" – 6:28 # "Dracula" (remix) – 3:45 # "Macha" ...

'' (Gramavision, 1997) * ''

Combustication ''Combustication'' is the fifth major album by experimental music, experimental jazz fusion trio Medeski Martin & Wood, released on August 11, 1998. ''Combustication'' was MMW's first album for the renowned jazz label Blue Note Records, and also ...

'' (Blue Note, 1998) * '' Tonic'' (Blue Note, 2000) * ''

The Dropper ''The Dropper'' is an album by avant-jazz-funk organ trio Medeski, Martin & Wood. The album peaked at No. 2 on the ''Billboard'' Jazz Albums chart. Critical reception ''The Washington Post'' wrote: "In many ways the chaotic and funk-soul soundsc ...

'' (Blue Note, 2000) * ''

Electric Tonic __NOTOC__ ''Electric Tonic'' is a live jazz album by Medeski Martin & Wood. It consists of completely improvised''Electric Tonic'' cover and liner notes (2001). Beatworld Music. material recorded as one piece at Tonic in New York City on July 4, ...

'' (Indirecto, 2001) * ''

Uninvisible ''Uninvisible'' is an album by avant-jazz-funk organ trio Medeski, Martin & Wood. Track listing All tracks by Medeski Martin & Wood except where noted. #"Uninvisible" – 3:37 #"I Wanna Ride You" ( Medeski) – 3:28 #"Your Name is Snake Anthony ...

'' (Blue Note, 2002) * '' End of the World Party'' (Blue Note, 2004) * ''

Let's Go Everywhere ''Let's Go Everywhere'' is an album of children's music released by Medeski Martin & Wood. Track listing All tracks by Medeski Martin & Wood Medeski Martin & Wood (or MMW) is an American jazz fusion band formed in 1991, consisting of John Me ...

'' (Little Monster, 2008) * '' The Radiolarian Series'' (Indirecto, 2008–2009) ** ''Radiolarians 1'' (Indirecto, 2008) ** ''Radiolarians 2'' (Indirecto, 2009) ** ''Radiolarians 3'' (Indirecto, 2009) * ''The Stone: Issue Four'' (Tzadik, 2010) * ''20'' (Indirecto, 2011) * ''Free Magic'' (Indirecto, 2012) – acoustic live album, recorded 2007 * ''

Woodstock Sessions Vol. 2 ''Woodstock Sessions Vol. 2'' is an album by Medeski Martin & Wood and guitarist Nels Cline which was recorded live in the studio and released in April 2014 on the band's Woodstock Sessions label.014 014 may refer to: * Argus As 014 * BIND-014 * 014 Construction Unit * Divi Divi Air Flight 014 * Pirna 014 * Tyrrell 014 The Tyrrell 014 was a Formula One car, designed for Tyrrell Racing by Maurice Philippe for use in the season. The cars wer ...

– with Nels Cline * ''

Omnisphere ''Omnisphere'' is an album by avant-jazz-funk organ trio Medeski, Martin & Wood and the "new music collective" Alarm Will Sound orchestra recorded live at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts in Denver CO. Reception In his review for ''Do ...

'' (Indirecto, 2015

018 018 may refer to *Air Canada Flight 018, an airline flight from Hong Kong to Vancouver, Canada, illegally boarded by a Chinese man wearing a disguise in 2010 *Area code 018, a telephone area code in Uppsala, Sweden *BMW 018, an experimental turboje ...

– with Alarm Will Sound Orchestra ;With Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood * ''

Out Louder ''Out Louder'' is an album produced as a collaboration between Medeski Martin & Wood and John Scofield. It is the first album released under the name " Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood," since 1998's '' A Go Go'' was released under Scofield's name ...

'' (Indirecto, 2006) * '' In Case the World Changes Its Mind'' (Indirecto, 2011) * '' Juice'' (Indirecto, 2014) ;With Billy Martin *'' Mago'' (Amulet, 2007) ;With The Word *''The Word'' (Ropeadope, 2001) *''Soul Food'' (Vanguard Records, 2015) ;With Hudson * ''

Hudson Hudson may refer to: People * Hudson (given name) * Hudson (surname) * Henry Hudson, English explorer * Hudson (footballer, born 1986), Hudson Fernando Tobias de Carvalho, Brazilian football right-back * Hudson (footballer, born 1988), Hudso ...

'' (Motema, 2017) - Collective group also featuring

Jack DeJohnette Jack DeJohnette (born August 9, 1942) is an American jazz drummer, pianist, and composer. Known for his extensive work as leader and sideman for musicians including Charles Lloyd, Freddie Hubbard, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, John Abercrombie, ...

, John Scofield, and Larry Grenadier ;With David Fiuczynski *''Lunar Crush'' (Gramavision, 1994) ;With Marian McPartland *''Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz: John Medeski'' (Concord, 2006) ;With Pat Sansone, Robby Grant & Jonathan Kirkscey *''Mellotron Variations'' (Spaceflight Records, 2019)

As backing musician

;With James Carter *'' Heaven on Earth'' (Half Note, 2009) ;With Cibo Matto *'' Stereo * Type A'' (Warner Bros., 1999) With

Either/Orchestra The Either/Orchestra (E/O) is a jazz group formed by Russ Gershon in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, in 1985. E/O is configured as a "small big band", with three saxes, two trumpets and one or two trombones. E/O's is characterized by a heavier an ...

*'' The Half-Life of Desire'' (Accurate, 1990) ;With

Béla Fleck and the Flecktones Béla may refer to: * Béla (crater), an elongated lunar crater * Béla (given name), a common Hungarian male given name See also * Bela (disambiguation) * Belá (disambiguation) * Bělá (disambiguation) Bělá, derived from ''bílá'' (''whit ...

*'' Outbound'' (Columbia, 2000) ;With Marc Ribot *''

The Prosthetic Cubans ''The Prosthetic Cubans'' is a studio album recorded in New York City by Marc Ribot with Los Cubanos Postizos and features compositions by Arsenio Rodríguez. It was the first album by The Prosthetic Cubans and was followed by '' ¡Muy Divertido!' ...

'' (Atlantic, 1998) ;With Roswell Rudd *''

Trombone for Lovers ''Trombone for Lovers'' is an album by trombonist Roswell Rudd featuring Rudd playing well-known tunes in a broad range of ensemble contexts, with varying personnel. It was recorded at various locations, and was released by Sunnyside Records in 2 ...

'' (Sunnyside, 2013) ;With John Scofield *'' A Go Go'' (Verve, 1998) *''

Überjam ''Überjam'' is an album by jazz guitarist John Scofield which was released by Verve on January 29, 2002. Track listing Personnel *John Scofield – electric guitar *Karl Denson – flute, saxophone *John Medeski – B3 organ, clavinet, mello ...

'' (Verve, 2002) *''

Überjam Deux ''Überjam Deux'' is a studio album by American jazz guitarist John Scofield. The record features guitarist and co-producer Avi Bortnick, bass guitarist Andy Hess, drummers Adam Deitch and Louis Cato, and John Medeski on organ, electric piano & ...

'' (Emarcy, 2013) With Spectrum Road ( Tony Williams tribute project with

Cindy Blackman Cindy Blackman Santana (born November 18, 1959), sometimes known as Cindy Blackman, is an American jazz and rock drummer. Blackman has recorded several jazz albums as a bandleader and has performed with Pharoah Sanders, Sonny Simmons, Ron Carter ...

, Jack Bruce, Vernon Reid) *''

Spectrum Road ''Spectrum Road'' is the debut album by the American supergroup of the same name, featuring bassist and vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist Vernon Reid, keyboard player John Medeski, and drummer Cindy Blackman Santana. The group's sole release, it was ...

'' (Palmetto, 2012) ;With Steev Richter *''Beloved'' (Steev Richter, 2016) ;With Surrender to the Air *'' Surrender to the Air'' (Elektra, 1996) ;With Matt Wilson *''Gathering Call'' (Palmetto, 2014) ;With

*'' Bar Kokhba'' (Tzadik, 1996) *'' Duras: Duchamp'' (Tzadik, 1997) *'' Zaebos: Book of Angels Vol.11'' (Tzadik, 2008) – Medeski Martin & Wood *'' Interzone'' (Tzadik, 2010) *'' Dictée/Liber Novus'' (Tzadik, 2010) *'' Nova Express'' (Tzadik, 2011) *''

A Vision in Blakelight ''A Vision in Blakelight'' is an album by John Zorn recorded in New York City in December 2011 and released on the Tzadik label in 2012. The album is inspired by the works of William Blake. Reception Martin Schray stated "The album is a wonderfu ...

'' (Tzadik, 2012) *''

The Concealed ''The Concealed'' (subtitled ''Esoteric Secrets and Hidden Traditions of the East'') is an album composed by John Zorn. The album was released on Zorn's own label, Tzadik Records, in November 2012.

'' (Tzadik, 2012) *''

Dreamachines ''Dreamachines'' is an album by John Zorn recorded in New York City in April 2013 and released on the Tzadik Records, Tzadik label in July 2013.On Leaves of Grass ''On Leaves of Grass'' is an album composed by John Zorn inspired by the works of Walt Whitman and performed by the Nova Quartet, John Medeski, Kenny Wollesen, Trevor Dunn, and Joey Baron, which was recorded in New York City in March 2014 and relea ...

'' (Tzadik, 2014) *''The Last Judgment'' (Tzadik, 2014) - with Moonchild *''

Simulacrum A simulacrum (plural: simulacra or simulacrums, from Latin '' simulacrum'', which means "likeness, semblance") is a representation or imitation of a person or thing. The word was first recorded in the English language in the late 16th century, u ...

'' (Tzadik, 2015) *''The True Discoveries of Witches and Demons'' (Tzadik, 2015) *''Inferno'' (Tzadik, 2015) ;With Tisziji Muñoz *''Beauty As Beauty'' (Anami Music, 2013) *''Beauty As Ugly'' (Anami Music, 2013) *''Ugly As Ugliest'' (Anami Music, 2013) *''Free Freedom'' (Anami Music, 2013) *''Parasamgate Nebula: The Death of Death'' (Anami Music, 2014) *''Realization of Paradox: Melting the Mind of Logic'' (Anami Music, 2014) *''Heart Trance Revelation'' (Anami Music, 2014) *''The Anniversary Concert'' DVD (Anami Music, 2014) *''Maha Shiva: The Razor's Healing Edge'' (Anami Music, 2014) *''The Heart Is The Universe'' DVD (Anami Music, 2014) *''Songs of Soundlessness'' (Anami Music, 2015) *''The Paradox of Perfection'' (Anami Music, 2015) *''Ensoundment Protection'' (Anami Music, 2015) *''Alpha Nebula Expanded: The Monster Peace'' (Anami Music, 2015) *''Creating Silence'' (Anami Music, 2015) *''Heaven Is Freedom'' (Anami Music, 2015) *''When Coltrane Calls! Session 1: Fierce Compassion'' (Anami Music, 2016) ;With

Auktyon Auktyon (russian: АукцЫон, ) is a Russian alternative rock band from Saint Petersburg. The band was founded by Leonid Fyodorov at the Polytechnic Institute of Leningrad. Though they originally played post-punk and new wave, the group c ...

* ''Devushki poyut (Девушки поют)'' (Geometry, 2011)

References

External links

Medeski Martin & Wood
– official site * {{DEFAULTSORT:Medeski, John 1965 births Living people American jazz composers American male jazz composers American jazz organists American male organists Melodica players Musicians from Louisville, Kentucky American jazz pianists American male pianists New England Conservatory alumni Avant-garde jazz organists Avant-garde jazz pianists Jazz musicians from Kentucky 20th-century American pianists 21st-century American pianists 21st-century organists 20th-century American male musicians 21st-century American male musicians 21st-century American keyboardists The Lounge Lizards members Medeski Martin & Wood members Screaming Headless Torsos members Either/Orchestra members Surrender to the Air members 20th-century American keyboardists Motéma Music artists Gramavision Records artists