Testimonials:
“I’ve been working with Bill since 2007 and he’s consistently my top-call guitarist. Aside from his sheer talent as a musician, he is extremely professional and easy to work with. As a fellow musician and teacher, I would recommend William Seiji Marsh without any reservation!”
-Ben Darwish
keyboardist for Mike Posner, BANKS, KD Lang
“Bill Marsh is a phenomenally talented player and singer. Technical ability aside, Bill’s true power comes from the fact that he is a deeply musical person. He can see many sides of a song and can quickly intuit what the arrangement wants to become and then instantly communicate it with sublime clarity. And while all of that is happening, he’s lightening the room with his easy going nature. Somehow he pulls off being a genuinely nice guy while being an absolute pro.”
-Matt Sheehy
guitarist/bassist/songwriter for Lost Lander, El Vy
Biography:
William Seiji Marsh is a multi-genre guitarist, singer, bassist and educator based in the Los Angeles area. Prior to relocating to Southern California, he contributed his guitar skills to many of Oregon’s staple and up-and-coming artists. William thrives on variety in his career, and as a result has developed a wide stylistic range. He currently performs internationally with Portland’s crossover classical/jazz/pop polyglots, Pink Martini; as well as genre-bending powerhouse singer/guitarist/whistler, Edna Vazquez. In the past he has toured and recorded with platinum-record-selling swing/rock outfit Cherry Poppin’ Daddies; Portland’s indie-rock favorite, Lost Lander; and Billboard-topping singer and songwriter, Halie Loren.
When William is not on tour, he finds great joy in aiding guitarists’ musical development. He maintained a private guitar studio in Portland’s prestigious Falcon Art Community, and has been on the guitar faculty at Willamette University in Salem, Ore. and Reed College in Portland, Ore. William co-owned/-directed Harmony Roadhouse Music Studios in Eugene, Ore., where he also maintained a private studio.
William is an avid builder and tinkerer. In his spare time, he enjoys building and modifying music electronics, including guitar effect pedals and tube amplifiers. William enjoys spending time in the outdoors with his beloved dog, Penny, when he has the opportunity.
Résumé:
Performance Experience:
Guitarist, Pink Martini – 2017 to present
Live performances throughout North America, Europe, East Asia and the Middle East. Performances with special guests Storm Large, Ari Shapiro, Smokey Robinson, Saori Yuki, Ikram Goldman, Edna Vazquez, Jimmie Herrod, The von Trapps, Jun Mayuzumi, Izumi Yukimura, Nolwen Leroy, Christophe Willem, and Thomas Dutronc.
Guitarist/vocalist/arranger, Edna Vazquez Band – 2016 to present
Live performances throughout the United States. Arrangements for special performances with Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble, a 12-piece jazz ensemble.
Bassist/guitarist/vocalist, Lost Lander – 2014 to 2016
Studio and live performances throughout the United States. Guest appearance on Medallion (2015) prior to joining.
Guitarist/vocalist/bassist, Morning Ritual – 2012 to 2015
Studio and live performances in Portland, Ore. All guitar work on The Clear Blue Pearl, feat. Shook Twins (2013), as well as background vocals.
Guitarist, Halie Loren – 2011 to present
Studio and live performances throughout the United States, Japan, South Korea and Macau. Featured heavily on albums Butterfly Blue (2015), Simply Love (2013) and Heart First (2011). Butterfly Blue debuted at #1 on the Billboard Japan charts in the jazz category, and Simply Love was the #1 album in the same category (July-Aug. 2013). Heart First accolades include #1 vocal jazz album by Japan’s Jazz Critique magazine, #1 vocal jazz album on iTunes Canada, top 5 vocal jazz album on iTunes Japan, and 5 stars from CriticalJazz.com
Guitarist/vocalist, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies – 2010 to 2014
Studio and live performances throughout North America, Europe and Australia. Featured heavily on albums White Teeth, Black Thoughts (2013) and Please Return the Evening — the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies Salute the Music of the Rat Pack (2014). Adaptation of classic Rat Pack arrangements for Please Return the Evening.
Guitarist/vocalist/co-manager, The Essentials – 2005 to 2011
Nine-piece Soul/R&B band. Studio and live performances throughout Northern California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho, as well as booking and contracting performances.
Freelance guitarist – 2003 to present
Solo and group performances in various settings. Fluent in many popular styles, including jazz, rock, alternative, blues, and country. Also experienced in orchestral, chamber and free-improvisational contexts. Live performances with Ben Darwish, Shook Twins, 3 Leg Torso, Lady Rizo, Joe Manis, Reva Devito, and others.
Teaching Experience:
Instructor of Guitar, Willamette University
August 2016 to August 2018, Salem, Ore.
Individual guitar instruction to both music majors and non-majors.
Instructor of Guitar, Reed College
August 2014 to May 2019, Portland, Ore.
Individual guitar instruction to both music majors and non-majors.
Visiting Instructor of Guitar, Willamette University
August to December 2012, Salem, Ore.
Sabbatical replacement position, primarily providing individual jazz guitar instruction to both music majors and non-majors. Focus on technique, applied music theory, improvisation, and reading notation. Studio comprised nine students who took one hour-long lesson each per week. Duties also included performances with faculty jazz ensemble.
Co-owner/co-director/instructor, Harmony Roadhouse Music Studios
2008 to 2011, Eugene, Ore.
Individual guitar instruction, organizing recitals, teacher recruitment, scheduling and management of studio-space shared by over ten teachers, studio promotion and advertisement, administrative tasks and minor maintenance. Personal studio comprised more than 16 students, ages eight through adult.
Guitar instructor, Lesson Factory
2006 to 2009, Eugene, Ore.
Individual guitar instruction, group theory and guitar classes, coaching student ensembles at summer youth music camps.
Private guitar instructor
2003 to present
Teaching students of varying levels. Focus on technique, practice methods, reading notation, transcription, improvisation, and composition.
Education:
University of Oregon, Bachelor of Music, Jazz Studies, June 2008
Coursework included jazz improvisation and composition, jazz and classical music history, aural skills, keyboard skills, theory, ensemble performance (small and large jazz ensembles, Oregon Marching Band, Green Garter Band, Eugene Contemporary Chamber Ensemble), and private study with Steve Owen and Mike Denny. Advanced experience with Finale notation software.
Awards and Acheivements:
- Performance credit on 2012 Telly Award-winning commercial for Selco Community Credit Union, 2011.
- Outstanding Undergraduate Work in Jazz Studies, University of Oregon, 2008.
- Outstanding College Rhythm Section Performer, Reno Jazz Festival/University of Nevada Reno, 2008.
- Student Music Award for Outstanding College Big Band Performance (as a member of 2008 Oregon Jazz Ensemble), DownBeat Magazine.
- Reader’s Choice Award for Best Band (as a member of the Essentials), Register Guard, 2009.
Discography:
- Meow Meow + Thomas Lauderdale, Hotel Amour. March 2019, Heinz Records
- Little One, Little One. June 2018, self-released
- Lost Lander, Medallion. February 2015, Glad I Did Records
- Halie Loren, Butterfly Blue. January 2015, JVC/Victor Entertainment (Japan) and Justin Time Records (US/Canada)
- Halie Loren, The Best Collection. September 2014, JVC/Victor Entertainment
- Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Please Return the Evening — the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies Salute the Music of the Rat Pack. July 2014, Space Age Bachelor Pad
- Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, White Teeth, Black Thoughts. July 2013, Space Age Bachelor Pad
- Halie Loren, Simply Love. June 2013, JVC/Victor Entertainment (Japan) and Justin Time Records (US/Canada)
- Morning Ritual, The Clear Blue Pearl, feat. Shook Twins. May 2013, self-released
- Nicole Berke, This Bright Before. February 2013, Nicole Berke Music
- Halie Loren, Heart First. 2011, JVC/Victor Entertainment (Japan) and Justin Time Records (US/Canada)
- The Essentials, Something to Give. 2008, Essential Records
- The Essentials, The Essentials. 2006, Essential Records