Marilyn Mazur

Marilyn Mazur was best known for her association with Miles Davis, but she played in many settings. Born to Polish and Black American parents, Mazur lived in Denmark beginning at age six. She studied classical piano and dance, eventually switching to drums and improvised music. She attended the Royal Danish Conservatory of Music, worked locally, and in 1985 was part of Palle Mikkelborg's recording of "Aura" with Davis. Soon afterward, she began working with the trumpeter (off and on from 1985 to 1989) and then played stints with Gil Evans and Wayne Shorter. In 1989, she formed her band Future Song, and in 1994 Mazur recorded as a leader for Storyville with her adventurous Pulse Unit, which mostly featured her own compositions.