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Marcelo Abanilla Dizon, popularly known as Mar Dizon, is an internationally renowned jazz drummer and percussionist. Having won both Katha and Awit Awards for best drummer, he has played with international artists such as Eddie Henderson, Kevyn Lettau, Julia Fordham, Alan Brunett, Alex Wilson, Jim Brickman, David Pomeranz, Bruce Conte, and Pauline Wilson.

Career
Dizon grew up playing rock, soul, and funk at a place called Happy Valley, a nightclub that was home to his roots as a musician. He would do covers of artists such as Led Zeppelin, Tower of Power, Grand Funk Railroad, Uriah Heep, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, Juan de la Cruz Band, and other established rock bands.

Dizon's musical foundation was also formed by the soul music of the Motown era with artists such as The Temptations, Commodores, Jackson 5, and Stevie Wonder. His early influences were John Bonham, Walter Orange, Pepe Smith, Roy Mercado, Edmund Fortuno, and Ian Paice. His influences later in his career were Billy Cobham, Tony Velarde, Steve Gadd, Peter Erskine, Jack DeJohnette, and Elvin Jones.

While in the University of the Philippines, College of Music, he studied rudiments under Prof. Eliseo Clamor. Through Prof. Fred Robles, the doors to a wider understanding of jazz were opened. Dizon then became the resident drummer for the U.P. Jazz Ensemble and percussionist for both the Philippine Youth Orchestra and Metro Manila Symphony Orchestra.

It was also during these times Dizon discovered ethnic music. He studied and learned Maguindanao music (southern) under the instruction of Aga Mayo Butocan, playing ''kulintang]] and all other instruments of the Palabunibunyan Ensemble. From Ben Pangusban, he also learned Kalinga music (northern), playing instruments like the gangsa (flat gong), kubing (jews harp), nose flute, and tambi (bamboo zither), among other intruments.

Dizon co-founded Side A, formed Artstart, and Parliament Syndicate.

Peak years
"Kalabukab," written during his Side A days, but recorded by Buhay in 2000, was his first attempt to fuse western music with Maguindanao rhythmic mode, Binalig. It won Best Jazz Instrumental Recording at 15th Awit Awards in 2002. His song "Flunk" (also recorded by Buhay) earned him an award as composer and arranger at the 8th Katha Music Awards 2002 for Best Jazz Instrumental Composition. "Sweet Heart", recorded by Parliament Syndicate, was Mar's first try at making commercial music. It won at the 4th Katha Music Awards 1998 for Best Contemporary Jazz Song.

Representing the country, Dizon played with Tala at 1994 North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague, Netherlands. With Buhay, he played at The Singapore International Jazz Festival in 2001 and at Carl's Reserve Jazz Festival in Malaysia. In 2004, again with Buhay, he played at The Bali International Jazz Festival. He plays with jazz bands such as Akasha, Merk and Friends, Jazz Volunteers, and Buhay.

Dizon was a pioneer Zildjian endorser in the Philippines since 1995. He has shared stage with Dennis Chambers at the 1st Zildjian Day in Manila in 1997. He is also the first and only Filipino endorser of Mapex drums and Stagg drumsticks.

Currently, Dizon plays every Monday with Akasha at Freedom Bar's Jazz Night.