Winner (#1)

Reverend Chris Marsceill

Born in Boston, Chris Marsceill was raised in Philadelphia in a musical household. His father, Mike, was a PolyGram recording artist in the 1960's and by 13 Chris was familiar with names like Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly and Ella Fitzgerald. One day he heard Dr. John and Harry Connick Jr. and fell in love with the sound of New Orleans style piano. During high school he was a student of Philadelphia legend Eric Shaw.
Attending Loyola University New Orleans and later University of New Orleans Chris, now known as the Reverend, studied with Ellis Marsalis, Michael Pellera and became a sub for Joe Krown's famous Piano Night (first at the Maple Leaf and later Le Bon Temps).

Reverend Chris, his wife: Kristen and their cat: Jack McCoy relocated to Philadelphia following Hurricane Katrina. The Rev has brought music to numerous venues in the Chestnut Hill section of the city that had never had it before and now many of these locations have added music to their regular rotation of special events. He currently performs solo piano shows, duos with either Jason Fifield or Tony Garro on bass, with the Mighty Rhythm Kings and leads the Naked Nuns of Soul where he performs classic New Orleans R&B from artists like Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, the Meters and others that he fell in love with while living in New Orleans.

The long list of people Chris has performed with includes: Walter “Wolfman” Washington, George Porter Jr, Mark Van Allen, Ani Difranco, Patrick Smith, Bob Weir, Ian Neville, June Yamagishi, Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield and many more.

Reverend Chris is or at one point a member of: The Mighty Rhythm Kings, Dodge City Junkies, Ellen Rogers Band, Ted Hefko Quartet, Bradford Truby Trio, the Restless Natives, Brides of Jesus, New Orleans Juice, the Balding Vincents, REEBATIBA and a collective improv trio with bassist Jason Fifield and drummer Phil Horwitz.

In July 2009 an EP of solo piano recordings “Some Songs Vol. 1” was released and had sold out the first pressing in 6 months. In January 2010 a live recording of all Beatles material called “Fool on the Hill: Live in Chestnut Hill” was released. It features bassist Tony Garro and multi-percussionist Greg Morgan. It was recorded and produced by Slife Produtions.