Marshall, Mike
Marshall, Mike
Marshall, Mike, American mandolinist and guitarist; b. Newcastle, Pa., July 17, 1957. He studied with James Hilligoos in Lakeland, Fla. He performed in various ensembles, including the Sunshine Bluegrass Boys (1972–76), the David Grisman Quintet (1979–84), and Montreux (1984–89). In 1986 he formed, with mandolinist Dana (William) Rath (b. West Bend, Wisc., May 21, 1956), The Modern Mandolin Quartet, the first mandolin quartet, comprising mandolins, mandola, and mando-cello, corresponding to the string quartet; other members are Paul Binkley (b. Minneapolis, May 9, 1954) and John Eric Imholz (b. San Francisco, June 9, 1953). Marshall helped to spearhead the New Acoustic movement with the David Grisman Quintet and New Age music as a recording artist for Windham Hill. An accomplished international performer, he performs in bluegrass, jazz, classical, and New Acoustic Music styles. His goal as a composer and performer is to “fuse musical styles such as jazz, bluegrass, world music, and classical to form new styles reflective of a less- structured, freer world.” Among his compositions are Gator Strut, Dolphins, and Free D, as well as songs.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire