Bio

photo by Aaron Schorch

photo by Aaron Schorch

Born and raised in Georgia, Marlon Patton is a New York-based drummer and music producer/engineer. Hailing from a long line of drummers dating back to his grandfather, Phil Patton who played in the Chicago big band circuit, Marlon keeps his schedule interesting and packed full of all types of music.  He is the first call for so many musicians not just because of his impeccable time, but because of the incredible musicality of what he delivers. He plays within a huge dynamic range, making him the perfect match for quiet piano jazz performances to hard- hitting rock gigs. He can play with everything from precision to reckless abandon and make it truly his own. He currently is a member of Kenosha Kid, WeisshundNelson PattonLonnie HolleyThe Trey Wright Trio and The Mace Hibbard Quintet.

He has toured, performed and/or recorded with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Jim White, Larkin Poe, Delta Moon, Gordi, Lera Lynn, Liv Warfield, Lonnie Holley, Houston Person, Jeff Coffin, Joel Frahm, Shahzad Ismaily, Col. Bruce Hampton, Takana Miyamoto, John Patitucci, Lew Soloff, Randy Brecker, Bobby Shew, Rufus Reid, Marcus Printup, Kevin Bales, Wycliffe Gordon, TOKU and Russel Gunn.  He has recorded for labels such as Sony, Universal, Jagjaguwar, RH Music, Yep Roc, Ropeadope plus many more independent releases.  His drumming has been in soundtracks on Adult Swim, ABC, and HBO. 

In the studio, Marlon has carved a name for himself recording, mixing, and producing.  Some recent projects he's worked on are Lonnie Holley’s MITH, Liv Warfield’s Live at Cafe Wha, Jim White's Where It Hits You, Leah Calvert’s Satellite, Daniel Clay's 10,000 Things, Kenosha Kid's Fahrenheit 451, ILL's Gotten Gains, and Blair Dunlop/Larkin Poe's Killing Time. 

Marlon plays Canopus Drums exclusively

For information on drumming, mixing, drum tracking, engineering and/or production rates and availability please contact me: marlonpatton at mac dot com

While he’s known mostly as a phenomenal drummer, he’s also a badass bass player, an amazing engineer and all around musical whiz. Throw in the fact that he’s easygoing, modest and eminently sane and you can understand why when someone approaches me to produce their record the first thing I do is check if Marlon is available. Same with my personal recordings. He’s just utterly indispensable.
— Jim White
Marlon is my favorite drummer on the planet and one of the best musicians I know.
— Ryan Waters-guitarist for Sade, Heart and Liv Warfield
so thoughtful, inspiring, imbued with serious listening and focus
— Shahzad Ismaily
Marlon Patton is one of the most supportive and innovative musicians we’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. His creative sensibilities and instrumental skills are formidable and world class - literally, he’s toured with and recorded on countless projects worldwide. Whether he’s pushing the limits of drumming, composing, or engineering and mixing records, Marlon is inexhaustible - always working to achieve the next level of excellence.
— Rebecca Lovell- Larkin Poe