Rev Chris

Christopher Marsceill (aka Rev Chris) was born in Boston and raised in Philadelphia where attended Settlement Music School at age 11 and eventually studied with Philly staple Eric Speigel who introduced him to reharmonization and singing. He eventually made his way to New Orleans where he studied under Mike Pellera, Ellis Marsalis, Peter Martin and moved away from modern jazz and was mentored by Joe Krown on the ways of boogie-woogie and Professor Longhair style blues. Next was a string of successful tours with the Ted Hefko Quartet and New Orleans Juice and Brides of Jesus. He shared the stage with Widespread Panic, Ani DiFranco, Blueground Undergrass, Santana and the Dave Matthews Band. While not on the road he spent his off time performing in the French Quarter with the Bradford Truby Trio, the Dukes of Dixieland, St. Louis Slim, Preservation Hall Jazz Band on call when the main band was on tour. He can also be found on bootleg recordings by Meters bassist George Porter solo project. Weekly appearances at the historic Maple Leaf Bar as part of the Ellen Rogers Band from 1999-2002. In 2003 co- founded “Restless Natives” with Bill Iuso and Brian Besse. Their debut album featured members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and the Neville Bros. His own ensemble focuses mostly on original music but he can also be found in the bands of Emmett Drueding, Daisy Royce. A first call session player he is on albums by David Cope, Daisy Royce, Brian Kors, Humbleman Band, Mighty Rhythm Kings, Paul Downie, Max Mason, and Emmett Drueding along with about a half dozen albums recorded during his time in New Orleans. In 2018 he released his 9th album, The End of Love, that was solo piano. Here he strays away from original music and re-imaginations of songs by Prince, Leonard Cohen, the Beatles, Tom Tallitsch, Fats Waller and Blind Melon. His 10th album, a live performance featuring the sextet was released in August of 2019 and featured originals along with an arrangement of “Flamenco Sketches” and the Fats Domino classic, “Blueberry Hill”. During the COVID-19 quarantine of 2020 Rev self-released multiple singles on the online platform, Bandcamp in addition to streamed gigs. He also reformed the Drums N Keys duo with either Gusten Rudolph or Claudio de Pujadas and entertained, while masked up, on the streets of Philly and the surrounding area. Since the beginning of 2021 he has returned to many of his regular gigs and is working on a blues trio album and is also working with an editor writing a book of stories from his days in New Orleans.

Awards

2010 Philly HotList "Favorite Local Entertainer"

Gear

Steinway Baby Grand Roland RD-64 Blue Sparkle Custom Digital Piano Roland 700-GX Digital Piano Roland Keyboard Amp Carvin Custom Built Keyboard Amp Yamaha P.A. System Yamaha Digital Piano Roland AX-7 Keytar

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