THE MODERN TAKES TRIO

You know the songs, You just haven't heard them like this.

The Modern Takes Trio takes songs you already know and gives them a Modern Take.

We're talking familiar hits, recognizable melodies, and songs you can't help but sing along to — but with different keys, groovier drum feels, funky bass lines, creative arrangements, and an acoustic sound that puts a whole new spin on them.

It's still the songs you know.

It just sounds different.

THE MODERN TAKE

The idea is pretty simple: take great songs and make them our own.

A song that was originally a straight-ahead pop hit might become a funky acoustic groove. A familiar rock song might get a completely different rhythmic feel. A classic might suddenly sound like something you haven't heard before.

You might recognize the first few notes and think, “Oh, I know this song!”

And then the groove kicks in.

That's the fun.

BUILT FOR EVENTS

The Modern Takes Trio was built with weddings, corporate events, private parties, resorts, and upscale events in mind.

We're able to create a full, energetic sound without taking over the room. We can keep things smooth and sophisticated during dinner or cocktails, then turn up the groove when it's time for people to get out of their seats.

It's music people recognize, arranged in a way that keeps it interesting.

THE MUSIC

Our setlist jumps all over the place — rock, pop, soul, funk, R&B, country, oldies, and more.

You'll hear songs from artists you already know, but don't expect us to play them exactly the way you've heard them a thousand times before.

That's the whole point!

THE TRIO

MICHAEL MALECKAR — GUITAR & VOCALS

Mike is the voice and guitar behind Mr. Mal — a professional musician with 15+ years of experience and a repertoire of more than 1,000 songs. He's also the guy responsible for coming up with many of the arrangements that give the trio its distinctive sound.

MARCUS WEEDEN — BASS & Vocals

With 30 years of professional experience in the music business, Marcus brings a whole lot more than just the low end to The Modern Takes Trio. He's an accomplished bassist with experience playing and teaching across just about every musical neighborhood you can think of — rock, funk, R&B, jazz, blues, hip-hop, reggae, country, pop, gospel, Americana, Latin and more.

Marcus is also a songwriter, producer, recording musician, and music educator, so he brings a deep understanding of music to everything we play. Most importantly, he's a great musician to have on stage. He can lock into a groove, adapt to whatever song gets thrown at him, and help turn three musicians into a much bigger sound.

JASON WIEDMAN — DRUMS & VOCALS

Jason is a longtime fixture in the Phoenix music scene and a drummer with an impressive range of experience. He's performed with a variety of local and touring projects, including the world-fusion rock group Traveler, and was a finalist in the 2015 Guitar Center Drum Off. He's also known for bringing a wide range of percussion into his playing, from traditional drum kit to instruments like cajón, djembe and doumbek.

What makes Jason especially important to The Modern Takes Trio is his ability to change the feel of a song without losing what makes people love it in the first place. The drum arrangements are a big part of the Modern Takes sound — taking familiar songs and giving them a groove you might not expect.

RECOGNIZABLE. GROOVY. DIFFERENT.

That's really what The Modern Takes Trio is all about.

Songs you know.
Played in ways you don't expect.

Perfect for a wedding, corporate event, cocktail hour, dinner, private party, or anywhere else you want great live music that people recognize without sounding like the same cover band they've heard a hundred times.

Come hear the Modern Take.