Besides my teachers, whom I discuss in an answer below, these artists and their music have had the most notable lasting effect on my writing and performing:

The foundations of my current musical aesthetic were primarily formed by Pat Metheny, Maria Schneider, Vince Mendoza, Jim McNeeley, New York Voices, Gene Puerling, Take 6, Vox One, The Real Group, Kurt Elling, Michael Brecker, Weather Report, Mel Torme, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Shirley Horn and Bobby McFerrin.

Somewhat recently, I've been largely influenced, of course, by my wife, Julia Dollison, as well as Geoffrey Keezer, Nancy King, Dianne Reeves, Oregon, J.D. Walter, Kenny Wheeler, John Hollenbeck, Mika Pohjola, Rigmor Gustafsson, Bob Brookmeyer, Eberhard Weber, Richard Bona, Moss (as well as all of its individual members!) and a cappella groups such as m-pact, Sixth Wave, Les Grandes Gueles and Cadence, to name just a few.  Of course, as a student of jazz, I have a love and appreciation for the great jazz historical jazz artists, too many to name here.

A few of the educational vocal jazz ensemble arrangers that influenced me (and still do) are Darmon Meader, Paris Rutherford, Roger Treece, Jennifer Barnes, Phil Mattson, Michele Weir, Jason Smith, Greg Jasperse, Matt Falker and Gary and Rosana Eckert.  Besides the many in this category named above, big band writers that I particularly enjoy and tried to steal from have been Chuck Owen, Steve Owen, James Miley, Dave Glenn, Dan Gailey, Neil Slater, Steve Weist, Fred Sturm, and Eric Applegate.

Some artists and genres I listen to and enjoy aside from vocal and instrumental jazz are: Electronic pop/rock (Imogen Heap, Radiohead, Bird and the Bee, Bjork), Nickel Creek, Alison Krauss, Punch Brothers, Ben Folds, Jonatha Brooke, Jennifer Kimball, Steve Reich, Samuel Barber, Yellowjackets, The King's Singers and Drum and Bugle Corps.  Regarding the last one, which some may find strange and others will understand completely, I grew up with drum corps as somewhat of a family tradition, and I've always been attracted to the precision and excellence involved in the activity, as well as the excitement and power of the shows and the effect is has on its audience.  

Last updated on January 17, 2010 by Kerry Marsh