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, danceable 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
- End of the World Party (Just in Case) – 2004