During his early studio days in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the friendship and influence of Rhythm & Blues greats such as Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham, and Roger Hawkins gave Marvin an appreciation for the soulful simplicity and heartfelt emotion which has become his signature guitar playing style: Elegance combined with electrifying blues power. These influences also set the tone for his style as a writer and producer.

Marvin has earned the respect of his public and peers alike from recording and touring throughout four decades of musical excellence: With the K-Otics in the sixties, the band Mose Jones in the seventies, the Out a Hand band in the eighties, Java Monkey and international tours and recordings with blues diva Francine Reed in the nineties. Marvin still tours occasionally as Miss Reed's musical director, and as guitarist on random celebrity charity concerts with friends such as John Berry, Mark Wills, John Michael Montgomery, and the legendary Steve Cropper.

Though his additional credits as a versatile studio guitarist over the many years span all styles and categories of music, he has come to be most noted for his own amazing style that is truly a blend of Jazz, Blues, R&B, Funk, and Country styles. His technique involves use of a thumb pick and all the fingers on both hands, and is not only fun to watch, but a real treat to hear!

Marvin and his wife, Donna "Raven" Taylor, were nominated for the prestigious W. C. Handy Blues Society's Song of the Year award for co-writing "Been There, Done That" for Francine Reed's second CD "I Can't Make It On My Own" (Ichiban/Capitol).  Miss Reed now has a number of CDs available, each one containing at least one of Marvin and Raven's songs.

Marvin says, "I'd like to invite you to come and 'jam' with me on my CDs called "BAND IN THE POCKET!"   They were  created to inspire you to play great solos, whether you play guitar, keyboards, blues harmonica, saxophone, flute, or any other solo instrument...even vocals.  There are also products for bass players and drummers!  You can improve your improvisations, hone your listening skills, and just plain have fun! When the groove is right and the band is playing with the perfect feel, we say it is "in the pocket," and it just naturally makes you want to play your best! To learn more about "Band in the Pocket" products,  listen to samples, and even get FREE full length mp-3 downloads, CLICK HERE or on the CD below.

"I'd also like to invite you to hear some of my original instrumental work.  Click here to go directly to the page for my "Love Is Alive" CD.  And if you like good Blues, Rock and Roll and R&B, CLICK HERE to link to the PRODUCTS page.  You can listen to samples from some of the latest projects from our studio.

"Thanks so much for the visit! If you'd like, go to the home page and follow the 'contact info'  link and e-mail me. I try to answer as many as I can.

Peace--

Marvin"

 

Click here for more photos!

Click here to go to Marvin and Raven's Personal pages

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