Faculty

Profile

'Marsella is as versatile and talented a pianist as you will find' - Frank Alkyer, Downbeat
'...the classically trained Marsella displayed dizzying technique while imbuing pieces with an authentic soul- jazz feeling' - Bill Milkowski review of Brian Marsella Trio August 10th set at the Village Vanguard
Brian Marsella has risen to the top ranks of NYC jazz pianists. A Philadelphia native, Marsella moved to New York in 1998 and has been touring and recording consistently since. Currently Marsella has released 11 albums as a leader or co-leader. His projects include the large ensembles iMAGiNARiUM and Gatos do Sul, the jazz quintet The Flail, the psychedelic surf-rock trio The Modulators as well as two acoustic piano trios (one featuring Kenny Wollesen and Trevor Dunn and the other with Christian McBride and Anwar Marshall.) OUTSPOKEN: The Music of Hasaan Ibn Ali (McBride, Marshall) was chosen as a Best Album of 2018 by The New York City Jazz Record. Brian can also be heard on over 30 other albums including 15 on John Zorn's TZADIK label (3 as a leader). Over the past 5 years, Brian has become a central figure in John Zorn's world as a musician in both his Masada and Bagatelle projects as well as a member of Zorn's Cobra.
Since 2004, Marsella has been of member of Cyro Baptista's Beat the Donkey and Banquet of the Spirits. With Cyro, Brian has toured the world and helped lead workshops in Brazilian rhythms and in the community building project, 'Sound of the Community.'
Brian's touring and recording credits include John Zorn, Cyro Baptista, Matisyahu, Marshall Allen, Hassan Hakmoun, Jon Irabagon, Ches Smith, Tyshawn Sorey Ikue Mori, Billy Martin, Nels Cline, Meg Okura’s Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble, Jessica Lurie Ensemble and groups Zion80, Edom, Pharaoh's Daughter, Yemen Blues and Fresh Cut Orchestra