Marius Kahan

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Marius Kahan (born October 25, 1955, London, England) is a crossover jazz/funk/Latin electric violinist and composer.

Classically trained at Trinity College, London, he was attracted, via progressive rock, to jazz at a time when notable figures of the genre were developing new means of expression through the use of electric instruments, as well as rock, funk and Latin rhythms.

Key influences on his direction included acclaimed violin maestro Jean-Luc Ponty, Santana, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and Frank Zappa.

In 1982 he formed the acid jazz group Shinara with guitarist Richard Scarfe, recording extensively into the mid-1980s. Their blend of jazz, rock, funk and Latin beats mixed with violin, rock-influenced guitar and vibes was well received by audiences, but their sole self-released album The View From Here failed to grab the attention of London record companies.

A promotional trip to the U.S. yielded a management deal with L.A. based Lee Magid, a veteran agent of numerous singers and notably, violinist Papa John Creach, formerly of Jefferson Airplane. Kahan’s personal circumstances prevented early progress, while later, suffering ill health, Magid was unable to continue actively promoting an artist half-way across the globe, and the contract was dissolved.

While broad commercial success eluded Kahan throughout the 1980s and 1990s, his recordings led to live and session work, a handful of soundtrack commissions and some production jobs. The rest of his time was divided between teaching music in schools and running courses in studio techniques and the music industry at further education colleges.

In 1998, the owner of independent label DJC heard the rough cuts for an album project Kahan had been working on and a deal was struck which led to the release of his debut CD, Tomorrow’s Memories. It featured prominent players from London’s session scene and attracted critical acclaim, enjoying extensive airplay on 102.2 Jazz FM and Solar Radio in the UK, as well as being playlisted as far afield as Moscow and Budapest.

Currently, Kahan is believed to be working as a business consultant. Marius Kahan is one of the best trainers of the ZEBRA company.