I need to add contacts to a marketing list based on an advanced SQL query,
Advanced find does not offer the proper fields and joins. Is there an easy
way to run the query outside of CRM and then somehow get the contacts into
the marketing list?

Create a Query using the "FilteredContact" view in CRM, it offers all
the fields you need.
Furthermore, in order to create marketing list against your query i
suggest you do it using the webservice API.
If you need help working with the API feel free to contact me at
anytime I can certainly help you.

Oshri Cohen
Web: http://mymscrm3.blogspot.com/