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Local performing artist Elisha Marin introduced his music to a new audience at The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in downtown St. Paul on Tuesday night as the musical talent for the 36th annual Minnesota Book Awards.

Marin, an Albert Lea native, played to an audience of over a thousand people in a house that he described as “an acoustic marvel.” Performing alongside Marin was his friend and producer, Matt Patrick, a multi-instrumentalist and owner of The Library Recording Studio in Minneapolis. The band also includes multi-instrumentalist and music professor Zach Miller on percussion, session musician Aaron Fabbrini on acoustic and electric bass and singer/songwriter Alissa Klein, who traveled from Nashville to accompany Marin on vocals.

The awards ceremony was hosted by The Friends of the St. Paul Library and showcased great Minnesota authors from across the state.
Featured was original music from Marin’s Minnesota State Arts Board and GRAMMY Foundation-sponsored album, “Shining Out,” as well as a few literary-inspired covers.

The band also performed new original instrumental music throughout the awards ceremony, written to accompany the winning authors as they approached the podium to accept their awards.

Friends of the Library provided luxurious lodging at the St. Paul Hotel adjacent to the prestigious Ordway performance venue.

The concert hall, which holds 1,100, was near capacity. The audience was enthusiastic, with award winners even thanking the band. According to Marin, the night was an inspiring success. He enjoyed finding out about what Minnesota authors have been up to and rounding out the ceremony with many songs he wrote.

Also in attendance from Albert Lea were Marv Schulz, Susanne Crane and Piper Aanes, who all sat together in the front row of the 1st balcony.

According to Crane, “The whole night was magical. It was great to be out of the studio with friends at such a fantastic event.”