Marshall
Vente
Groups
Marshall Vente Octet
​
Fun Jazz, original arrangements and the best musicians.
Live music for concerts, festivals, clubdates and educational clinics.
Arranged, conducted and produced by Marshall Vente. Featuring:
Trumpet and Flugelhorn: Terry Connell. Greg Duncan or Tom Tallman
Trombone: John Mose or Tom Garling
Saxophones and flutes:
Jim Massoth, Jack Baron, Brian Gephart & Chip Gdalman
Bass: Jim Batson, Scott Mason or Curt Bley
Drums: Steve Shebar or Isi Perez
Piano and electric piano: Marshall Vente
Special guest percussionist: Alejo Poveda
“After 40 years of attending live jazz events around the world and seeing such greats as Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton, Art Pepper, Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Quartet, and clocking up thousands of listening hours, I have reached the stage where I have become a little blasé about the quality of the inventiveness of some of the offerings of the current jazz scene. However, on October 10th when Marshall Vente came to perform at the Brookfield Jazz Society with his newly-formed octet, I knew after the first few bars that my ears would get a well-deserved treat that night, and I was not wrong; the varied musical selections were superbly arranged by Marshall, enabling the band to then turn each piece into a mini work of art.” Ian Tiele, President of the Brookfield Jazz Society, Editor of the IAJRC Journal
Featuring dance and party music for memorable dinners, dances, award banquets, galas, charity fundraisers, wedding receptions, festivals, cruises, parties and more… One of Chicago’s finest rhythm sections, sizzling horns and multiple vocalists perform nearly everything: current dance hits, rock & roll, R & B, Motown, Broadway, Sinatra & American standards, big band, swing and all fun jazz, international, Latin, Caribbean and Brazilian music. Also, exceptional ceremony, reception and dinner music with solo piano, jazz trio, classical strings, harp and Caribbean steel drums.
Most of all, Marshall knows how to read the audience, play the correct music at the right time and always “brings elegance, class and excitement to every party.” Our clients say it best:
“Our guests are still talking about you! I thank you so much for helping make the EAM gala such a success. At a time when finding the right musical entertainment is tougher than ever, there is no reason to search further now that we have found you! Your versatility, showmanship and professionalism say it all. Thanks again for such great music and good fun. We look forward to working with you again soon!” – Director of Development & Marketing, Elmhurst Art Museum
"I've known Marshall for many years, he is a real professional and you can always count on him to deliver high quality music." – James Kravcik, GM, Hinsdale Golf Club
“Since we have worked together on several events, I must point out that I have seen a pattern emerge: you consistently raise the level of our parties.” – Events Coordinator, O’Hagan, Smith & Amundsen
“The best bad we have ever had! Not only did I love the band, but also working with Marshall during the planning was fun and easy. We already have him booked for the next year.” – Alumni Relations Director, Benedictine University Scholarship Ball
“Your orchestra was amazing and the tropical touch helped make the evening sizzle with excitement”
- DuPage Children’s Museum Gala
“Everyone had a great time and agrees that your music help set the tone of the event. They especially enjoyed your upbeat personality and of course, Eldee Young.” – La Rabida Children’s Hospital
“Thank you very much for your excellent performance at our client appreciation party aboard the Windy sailboat. The event went perfectly and your music was a large contributor, especially the ability to play such a variety of music to appease our group.” – Di Meo Schneider & Associates
“Once again, many thanks for the wonderful performance at ‘al la Bastille’! The opening music set the mood for the French flair of the evening. The dinner music was a perfect background to the formal meal - yet keeping the tables alive with laughter and conversation. The evening progressed with the orchestra keeping the dance floor busy. Looking forward to next year!” – Downtown Wheaton Association
“As always, you were professional and the music was delightful. We would not hesitate to use your services in the future.”
- Illinois Spina Bifida Association
“Now I know why BOSSA made the comment, ‘Marshall Vente loves a party!’ We were so lucky to have you and the group electrify our holiday party. It was simply terrific and very exciting!” – Chicago Magazine
“We want to thank you again for the fabulous job you and the band did at our wedding. You guys were spectacular and truly made the evening wonderful. All of our guests were complimenting you for days after the event!” - Matt & Lisa Young
“Not only is he a fine professional with outstanding talent as both a performer and composer, he and his sidemen conduct themselves in an exemplary manner with the Lion Bar management and its patrons.”
- Restaurants Manager, the Westin Hotel, Chicago
“Thanks for making our wedding day a big hit! The music during dinner was terrific, it set the tone we ere hoping for – kind of quiet elegance. The band did a great job of getting the party going after dinner.” – Sharon L. Johnson – IBM
“I’ve been to so few of these parties where people actually danced all night; you really kept everyone on the dance floor!”
– Cleo Wilson, VP, Playboy Foundation for Family Focus Gala
Chicago Blues Review
Chicago’s premier blues show for special events, corporate parties,
galas, theme parties, festivals and concerts. Specializing in all forms
of the blues and blues infused pop music:
Chicago, Urban & Louisiana blues, Dance & Party music: Motown,
R & B, Funk, Rock & Roll & disco.
A fun jazz/blues trio or quartet included for cocktail and dinner music.
Featuring some of Chicago’s legendary nationally-known blues artists
including:
Maurice John Vaughn or James Armstrong, Cash McCall Shirley Johnson,
Jimmy Burns, (Phil Guy, RIP), Eddie Shaw, Katherine Davis and Sandra Hall,
all depending on availability.
Plus, Howard Levy on harmonica
Arranged, conducted and lead by: Marshall Vente Piano, keyboards & MC with his 12-pc band including: Saxes, trumpet, trombone, drums, bass, guitar, male and female vocals.
Our debut gig was the ’96 Democratic National Convention, Chicago, at the Park West. Since then the Review has performed for many corporate parties, concerts and special events. Clients have included Ameritech, Microsoft, Navistar, Village of Highland Park, Association of Quality Engineers, Mt. Sinai Hospital’s “Soul & Salsa” Gala, National Association of Immigration Lawyers, Lincoln Park Zoo, Sara Lee, Epson America … and more!
​
​
Introducing the Tropicale Duo
Pianist Marshall Vente & Acoustic guitarist Glenn Reitsma
Performing a unique spellbinding mix of Brazilian, Latin and American jazz …
Composers include Antonio Carlos Jobim, Villa Lobos, Ivan Lins, Marcos Valle, Joao Donato, Milton Nascimento,
Joao Bosco, Luiz Eca & Tamba 4 and others …
We’re playing intriguing music surrounded by fine art, including the nautical subjects of Charles Vickery … refreshments too!
​
Vocalist Joanie Pallatto & pianist Marshall Vente
Music for concerts, festivals, special events and clubs.
Performing a new original eclectic mix of pop hits, jazz, rock,
American songbook, Brazilian, Latin, original compositions
and other novelty fun tunes!
“There are always interesting things hiding in the city's cultural corners.
Here are two. The first is called "Two" and it's CD featuring Chicago
Joanie Pallatto, teamed with the exciting pianist Marshall Vente.
The song selections are wonderfully eclectic, from "As Time Goes By"
to the Kurt Weill/Ira Gershwin tune "My Ship" to the Doors'
"Light My Fire." The performances are dazzling."
-Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune
"... Vente is a strong pianist who can do both solid accompaniment and produce eye opening solos. Joanie Pallatto has produced her best session so far and Marshall Vente sounds like someone to watch out for."
- Jerome Wilson, Cadence review of "Two"
​
​
Marshall Vente and Tropicale
A tropical wave breaks on the beaches of Chicago! Brazilian,
Caribbean and Latin music presented with a festival of fun and
excitement. Featuring the stars of the CD recording “Tropicale”
Tropicale plays to wildly enthusiastic audiences with its percussive
rhythms, sparkling horns, steel drums, vocalists and great piano.
From classic Latin and Brazilian composers, to hot Latin dance music,
a touch of Jimmy Buffett and some rock & roll for the gringos too.
Tropicale is a fresh mix poured straight from Marshall’s blender.
Also, available with the Samba 1 Dance Ensemble: beautiful and
handsome dancers direct from Brazil complete with costumes
from Carnival in Rio!
“Folks have been raving for years about Marshall Vente’s particularly satisfying brand of Latin-American influenced jazz.” – Arts Midwest
“Tropicale is one of Chicago’s finest Latin groups.” – Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune
“Marshall Vente loves a party!” – Fred Bouchard, Bossa Magazine
“Your orchestra was amazing and the tropical touch helped make the evening sizzle with excitement” - Du Page Children’s Museum Gala
“ Starting off the show were Marshall Vente and Tropicale from Chicago, who captivated the audience with their music. The momentum was never lost, Tropicale’s wild rhythms, fantastic solos on bongos guitar, keyboards and drums alternated with top vocals and exciting Cuban dance performances." - Daily Herald, St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
“Marshall Vente’s Tropicale was a cut above many of the Brazilian-oriented releases that came out in 1996.” – Alex Henderson, www.allmusic.com
“Tropicale stands out as the most eclectic of Marshall’s bands: in it Vente blithely incorporates jazz and world-music pop, focusing on the sounds of Brazil but making use of specifically Afro-Cuban rhythms as well.” – Neil Tesser, Critic’s Choice, Chicago Reader
“Vente is a Chicago institution: a fluent keyboardist and an imaginative composer arranger who specializes in Latin music.” – Critic’s Choice, Isthmus, Madison, WI
“If you want to know anything about Brazilian music, Marshall Vente is the right guy to contact.” – BOSSA, Brazilian Jazz World Guide
“Tropicale had an excellent performance as musical entertainers at the ‘Brazilian Night’ sponsored by General Electric during the Congress organized by the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago.” – Danilo Talanskas, GM, GE Medical Systems, Brazil
​
​