Marilyn Mazur facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marilyn Mazur
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| Background information | |
| Born | January 18, 1955 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | December 12, 2025 (aged 70) |
| Genres | Jazz, avant-garde jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Labels | Storyville, ECM, Dacapo, Stunt |
| Associated acts | Miles Davis |
Marilyn Mazur (born January 18, 1955, died December 12, 2025) was an amazing Danish musician. She was born in America but grew up in Denmark. Marilyn was famous for playing percussion instruments. These include drums, cymbals, and many other things that make rhythmic sounds. She started her professional music career in 1975. Marilyn mostly taught herself how to play. However, she also earned a degree in percussion from the Royal Danish Academy of Music.
Contents
Marilyn Mazur's Musical Journey
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Marilyn Mazur was born in New York City on January 18, 1955. When she was six years old, her family moved to Denmark. She first learned to play the piano. But at age 19, she found her true passion: drumming! She was inspired by great drummers like Al Foster, Airto Moreira, and Alex Riel.
Forming Her Own Bands
Marilyn quickly started making her own music. Her very first band, called Zirenes, began in 1973. In 1978, she created another band named Primi. This was a special theater band made up entirely of women. These early groups showed her talent for leading and creating unique musical experiences.
Playing with Jazz Legends
A huge moment in Marilyn's career happened in 1985. She was invited to join a special music project. This project became the famous album Aura by Miles Davis. Miles Davis was one of the most important jazz musicians ever! Soon after, Marilyn toured and performed with him. She also played with other legendary artists. These included Gil Evans, Wayne Shorter, Jan Garbarek, and Makiko Hirabayashi.
Shamania: Her Unique All-Female Group
Marilyn Mazur also led her own exciting band called Shamania. This group featured talented female musicians from Scandinavia. They played a style of music known as avant-garde jazz. This means they loved to explore new and experimental sounds. Their music was always fresh and surprising.
Celebrating Her Achievements
Marilyn Mazur received many important awards for her incredible musical skills. The American magazine Down Beat recognized her talent multiple times. They named her a "percussion-talent deserving wider recognition" in 1989, 1990, 1995, 1997, 1998, and 2002. In 2001, she won the prestigious Jazzpar Prize. This was considered the biggest international award in jazz music at that time.
Marilyn Mazur passed away on December 12, 2025, at the age of 70. Her innovative music and inspiring career continue to influence musicians worldwide.
Major Awards and Recognitions
Marilyn Mazur earned many significant awards throughout her career. These honors celebrated her amazing talent and her contributions to the world of music:
- 1983: The Ben Webster Prize from the Ben Webster Foundation.
- 1989: The JASA Prize, awarded by Danish jazz journalists.
- 2001: The highly respected Jazzpar Prize.
- 2004: The Edition Wilhelm Hansens Composer Prize.
- 2006: The Danish Django d'Or (Legend) award.
- 2007: The Unlimited Communication award from Telenor.
- 2010: The EuroCore-JTI Jazz Award.
- 2013: The Grethe Kolbe Grant from the Danish Conductors Association.
- She was also recognized as the No. 1 Jazz Performer by Down Beat magazine six different times!
Her Recorded Music
Marilyn Mazur created a large collection of music during her career. She released many albums where she was the main artist and band leader. She also played as a guest musician on albums by many other famous artists.
Albums as a Leader
Here are some of the albums where Marilyn Mazur was the primary artist:
- Marilyn Mazur's Future Song (released in 1992)
- Small Labyrinths (released in 1997)
- Jordsange/Earth Songs (released in 2000)
- Elixir, a collaboration with Jan Garbarek (released in 2008)
- Marilyn Mazur's Shamania (released in 2019)
Playing with Other Musicians
Marilyn Mazur also shared her drumming talents on many other musicians' recordings. Some of her notable collaborations include:
- Playing with Miles Davis on his important album Aura.
- Working with Jan Garbarek on albums like Twelve Moons and Visible World.
- Contributing to several albums by Makiko Hirabayashi.
- She also played with many other talented artists such as Lindsay Cooper, Pierre Dørge, and Gil Evans.
Images for kids
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Marilyn Mazur in a performance.
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Marilyn Mazur playing percussion.
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A close-up of Marilyn Mazur.
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Marilyn Mazur on stage.
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Marilyn Mazur with her drum set.
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Marilyn Mazur during a concert.
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Another view of Marilyn Mazur performing.
