Toby Lee Marshall stands as a formidable presence in the Minneapolis/St. Paul music scene.

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A Hammond Organist and Keyboardist whose talents have been in high regard for over two decades. At the tender age of 19, he hit the road with the Chicago Blues legend Lonnie Brooks and his son, Ronnie Baker Brooks, before returning to the Twin to create a rich tapestry of sound with local luminaries like Joe Juliano and Mary Cutrufello. In 2010, Marshall linked up with Bernard Allison, the son of the iconic Luther Allison, and their collaboration took him on extensive tours across Europe He contributed to Allison’s celebrated live album, “Live at the Jazzhaus,” before stepping back from the spotlight in 2012 to focus on his burgeoning family.

 

However, music called him back in 2017 when an impromptu jam session with guitarist Greg Koch and son, Dylan, led to the formation of the Koch Marshall Trio. Their debut, “Toby Arrives” dropped in September of that year, marking the arrival of one of the worlds greatest live bands, and Marshall’s official endorsement as a Hammond artist.

 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he kept the creative juices flowing through remote recording sessions and bi-monthly live streamed shows with the Koch Marshall Trio.  Toby also launched a project called “OCTOCOPTER” alongside Twin Cities drummer Andy Boterman, culminating in a self-titled release from his Minneapolis studio, Studio Cenote.

 

By 2021, the Koch Marshall Trio unveiled their second album, “From the Up’Nuh,” though they held off on touring as pandemic restrictions loomed. In July 2022, they hit the road hard traversing from New York to L.A. In the of spring of 2023, they released two new albums, “Orange Roominations” and the live “Sweet Gristle,” showcasing their dynamic artistry. Toby continues to tour with the Koch Marshall Trio while eyeing a 2026 release under his own name, proving that his journey is far from over. 

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