Marty Chilla is a founding member of The Sugar Beets. His musical journey began with piano lessons at the age of seven in his hometown of North Bend, Oregon. At 12 he found his true calling with the guitar and began studying with Bill Harkleroad (aka Zoot Horn Rolo of Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band.) While attending the University of Oregon in the late 1980's, Marty met a fellow musician named John Shenon and they began performing as "The John and Marty Experience." In the fall of 1989 John Shenon greeted and recruited a violin player named Tanya Bunson who was passing by a bench in front of the University of Oregon dorm where John and Marty had been jamming together. This connection set in motion the creation of The Sugar Beets and it was soon after that other members from the dorms began to join in. For over three and a half decades Marty has continued to play music with The Sugar Beets and many other bands as well as teaching guitar to aspiring musicians of all ages.
Background, professional training and performance history
Marty Chilla has been playing musical instruments for 35 years. He started at the age of seven with piano and baritone horn, and at the age of twelve he switched to guitar and began training as a student of Bill Harkleroad (aka Zoot Horn Rollo) who was named #62 in Rolling Stone's 100 greatest guitarists of all time. Marty continued his musical education at the University of Oregon where he also founded the group The Sugar Beets. He has continued to play guitar and write songs with them for over two decades. He has recorded many CDs with The Sugar Beets as well as other projects as both a band member and session musician. He is a full-time professional musician and began the teaching part of his music career eight years ago.
Artist statement and teaching philosophy
“My teaching style is both informative and patient, with a light dose of fun and good humor to make the journey enjoyable. I am well versed in many styles of guitar--blues, folk, rock, jazz, pop and more! I am particularly good with beginners and children, and I have developed a methodical and easy program that has been 100% successful with every one of the hundreds of students I have taught. We start playing songs and enjoying music making right away. I am a firm believer that music and self-expression is a human birthright and that playing and sharing music is one of the sweet things that makes life full and wonderful. As a teacher, i encourage my students to be gentle with themselves and know that music is an endless journey. It is good simply to be on the path, and success is a series of small successes. I look forward to sharing my love of guitar, ukelele, songwriting and theory and welcome students of all ages and abilities!"
Instruments & classes taught
Marty teaches acoustic and electric guitar, ukelele, song-writing and music theory.