Reverend CHris
aka Rev Chris
Christopher Marsceill (aka Rev Chris) was born in Boston and raised in Philadelphia where attended Settlement Music School at age 11 and eventually studied with Philly staple Eric Speigel who introduced him to reharmonization and singing. At 17 he made his way to New Orleans where he studied under Mike Pellera, Ellis Marsalis, Peter Martin and began to move away from modern jazz after meeting Joe Krown and Jon Cleary and embracing on the ways of boogie-woogie and Professor Longhair style blues. Next was a string of successful tours with the Ted Hefko Quartet and New Orleans Juice and Brides of Jesus (featuring Russell Batiste of the Meters). In his travels he has shared the stage with Widespread Panic, Ani DiFranco, Blueground Undergrass, Santana, member of Squirell Nut Zippers and the Dave Matthews Band. While not on the road he spent his time performing in the French Quarter with the Bradford Truby Trio, the Dukes of Dixieland, St. Louis Slim, and at Preservation Hall Jazz. He can also be found on bootleg recordings by Meters bassist George Porter solo project. The icing on this cake was weekly appearances at the historic Maple Leaf Bar as part of the Ellen Rogers Band from 1999-2002. In 2003 co- founded “Restless Natives” with Bill Iuso and Brian Besse. Their debut album featured members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and the Neville Brothers.
Since relcating to Phildelphia following Hurricane Katrina he began performing solo around the city, beginning a residency at the Tavern on the Hill in 2007 that continues as of 2024. He put together his own ensemble, Les Garçons Crasseux, and began to focus mostly on original music. He has appeared in the bands of many Philadelphia based performers including Roger Learnard, Emmett Drueding, Daisy Royce, and Bill Avayou. A first call session player he has appeared on albums by David Cope, Daisy Royce, Brian Kors, Humbleman Band, Mighty Rhythm Kings, Paul Downie, Max Mason, along with about a half dozen albums recorded during his time in New Orleans.
In 2018 he released his 9th album, The End of Love, that was solo piano. Here he strays away from original music and re-imaginationed songs by Prince, Leonard Cohen, the Beatles, Tom Tallitsch, Fats Waller and Blind Melon. His 10th album, a live performance featuring the sextet was released in August of 2019 and featured originals along with an arrangement of the Miles Davis song “Flamenco Sketches” and the Fats Domino classic, “Blueberry Hill”. During the COVID-19 quarantine of 2020 Rev self-released multiple singles on the online platform, Bandcamp, in addition to streamed gigs. He also reformed the Drums N Keys duo with either Gusten Rudolph or Claudio de Pujadas and entertained, while masked up, on the streets of Philly and the surrounding area.
InMarch of 2024 released “Lingua Franca” with his working band, Les Garçons Crasseux. The album features many songs written during the COVID lockdown years.
With percussion guru and Philadelphia music scene legend, Karen Smith.
On stage at the Ardmore Music Hall with Alex Maio and Flourtown Fats.