Steve Marshall, Founder State of Emergency. Photo by Irven Lewis
Steve Marshall is principally a singer/songwriter who cut his teeth as Lee “Scratch” Perry’s English apprentice. Early associations with jazz, reggae, soul, RnB, Afro-fusion, rock and electronic music were a great foundation.
“…voices like his deserve the respect, because the music is so uplifting and full of the whole range of ingredients.” Bob Jones, Blues & Soul Magazine.
Recent visits to Johannesburg and Grahamstown in South Africa, Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York in the USA, and Tokyo in Japan have helped to build his reputation as an original artist.
As a producer, his work with Lee Perry, Keith Richards and George Clinton earned him Grammy nominations in 2008 and 2011.
His score for “Desert Crossings”, a collaboration between State of Emergency and South African choreographer, Gregory Maqoma, achieved critical acclaim.
“...Marshall’s excitingly layered, infectious music remains a sensory pleasure.” Donald Hutera, The Times
