JJ Roth Design

Noah Jackson & Full Circle: Residency & Session
2023-02-08 19:30 - 23:00, 2023-02-01 19:30 - 23:00, 2023-01-25 19:30 - 23:00, 2023-01-18 19:30 - 23:00, 2023-01-11 19:30 - 23:00, 2022-12-21 19:30 - 23:00, 2022-12-14 19:30 - 23:00, 2022-12-07 19:30 - 23:00 (America/Detroit) and 3 more dates
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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Musicians pay no cover when they bring their instrument.
A Detroit original, Noah Jackson is a bassist, cellist, and composer specializing in black american music and classical music. Aimed with a curiosity to where sound could touch audiences from within, he has both written and performed music for large international audiences since 2010. A graduate of Michigan State University (B.M.), and Manhattan School of Music (M.M.), Noah has performed with world renowned artists such as NEA Jazz Master Abdullah Ibrahim, Branford Marsails, Jason Marsalis, The Marsalis Family, Hugh Masekela, Nnenna Freelon, Kenny Garrett, Wizard Harper, George Burton, Jazzmeia Horn, and Christian Sands. Additionally, he’s performed in many prominent venues and jazz festivals including Radio City Music Hall, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Jazz @ Lincoln Center, Blue Note Jazz Club (New York City and Milan), Royal Albert Hall, Victoria Hall (Geneva), Jazz in Marciac (Marciac, France), The Library of Congress, The Kennedy Center, SFJAZZ, The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, London Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, and North Sea Jazz Festival. Noah Jackson also performed as part of the ceremony for the NEA Jazz Masters Award in 2019. He also recorded bass and cello on The Balance with Abdullah Ibrahim which reached #3 on the Billboard Jazz Charts (June 2019).
As a band leader, Noah had put on performances of original creative work with his band Full Circle. In 2011, he made his self-produced debut album, Contemplations- A Suite to critical acclaim and led Full Circle in the Detroit Jazz Festival in 2012. Since then, Noah has collaborated with a wide variety of artists across the jazz spectrum. In 2017, he has worked in collaboration with the American Ballet Theater with his string quartet Asè at Grace Farms in New Canaan, CT. Noah, along with vocalist and co-producer Candice Hoyes, were named recipients of grants for a double jazz and string quartet project: Ellington to the World: Generational Power in Black Culture and Spaces from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and the New York Council of the Arts. The work premiered at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in September 2019 and was performed to a sold out audience in The CUBE @ DSO in February 2020. As of March 2021, Noah has joined Cliff Bell’s in Detroit as Curator and Artist-in-Residence where he will perform with his group Full Circle and host sessions as well as bring in world-class talent to perform on it’s stage.
Noah is endorsed by Aguilar Amps, David Gage REAList LifeLine pickups, and NOAH Guitars of Italy. Noah currently resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Find out more about Noah here!

Planet D Nonet
2023-02-04 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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The PD9 performs Harlem Jive by Fats Waller, swing era tunes by Duke Ellington, Benny Moten, Count Basie and Fletcher Henderson as well as the jumpin’ jive of Louis Jordan. Cofounded by RJ Spangler & James O’Donnell in 2007, all that time it has brought swing music to SE Michigan listeners and swing dancers. In that time the band has also performed in 10 states including some memorable gigs in New Orleans. In addition to the vocals of trumpeter James O’Donnell, the band also features the vocals of trombonist John “Tbone” Paxton. The band has won NINE Motor City Music Awards.
Personnel:
Saxes: Alex Colista, Christopher Tabacynski & Goode Wyche III, brass: James O’Donnell, Charlie Miller & Tbone Paxon, rhythm: Michael Zaporski, Trevor Lamb, Sean Perlmutter & RJ Spangler

Christopher L. Wilson Trio
2023-01-28 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance. (Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show) **************************************************************************************
The enlightening and freeing sound of swing is what first attracted Christopher to jazz. His interest in this feeling is what led him to begin exploring Detroit’s rich musical history which was and is replete with musical legends. He first studied with the late greats Bess Bonnier and Marcus Belgrave. Later, he would join the Detroit Symphony Jazz Orchestra’s Civic Jazz Program where he first met esteemed bassist and educator Rodney Whitaker. By the time Christopher graduated from high school, he was entrenched in swing and bebop
and would go on to further his studies within the jazz program at Michigan State University. While at Michigan State, he had the pleasure of studying and performing with Rodney Whitaker, Wess “Warmdaddy” Anderson, Derrick Gardner, Vincent Chandler, Randy Gilespie, Diego Rivera, and Rick Roe. After graduating Christopher immediately began performing with his trio in Detroit, including a weekly jam session at the heralded Baker’s Keyboard Lounge. A short year later, Christopher relocated to sunny swingin’ Los Angeles where he fell in love with Southern California and spent nine years there as a result. During that time he played regularly with his trio and released two albums, “Feelin’ Better” and most recently “Leaving Los Angeles” in August of 2019. Christopher moved to Chicago shortly after and is honored and excited to be part of another incredible city rich with musical history.
Christopher’s music is highly influenced by hard swing, bebop, and the rich history of jazz piano trios. His focus is the uplifting nature of swing and the beauty behind the jazz piano trio. His arrangements are thoughtful and his music contagious.
There are players who skate more, players with more driving rhythms and more “original” versions. For listeners thirsty for “notes…like hoisted water/raveling off a bucket,” for the generous lyricism that left the planet with Hank Jones and Tommy Flanagan, Christopher Wilson is a reminder that our musical well is deep and fresh, that a new generation of players can still lead us to it. —Michael Lauchlan, author of Trumbull Ave

Jeff Ponders Quintet
2023-01-22 19:30 - 23:00, 2023-01-21 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance. (Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show) **************************************************************************************
Saxophonist Jeff Ponders II has captivated audiences for over 20 years with his provocative, soulful approach to music. A Detroit native, he honed his skills under the guidance of jazz masters Donald Walden, Marcus Belgrave, andWendell Harrison, before heading to Philadelphia to further his craft with Dr.Guthrie Ramsey.Jeff has performed and recorded with heavyweights across many genres, including James Carter, Robert Glasper, Boyz II Men, Mike Phillips, Keyshia Cole, Bebe Winans, and Eric Roberson. He toured as a member of the MarvinGaye Orchestra for the hit musical”My Brother Marvin,” and works throughout the US as an artist and keynote speaker.
Jeff’s debut album, Spark (2018), and forthcoming sophomore project Better(2023), are collections of original compositions taking listeners from funk to fusion, swing to soul, and church pews to the Caribbean.
The recordings feature Grammy-nominated artists Brandon Williams, Demetrius “Krayon”Nabors, Shedrick Mitchell, Nate Winn, Damon Warmack, and Gerard Gibbs of the James Carter Organ Trio.Jeff’s 2022 band features Kenny Watson (vocals), Demetrius Nabors (keys),Damon Warmack (bass), and Nate Winn (drums).

Micah Thomas Trio
2023-01-15 19:30 - 23:30, 2023-01-14 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance. (Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show) **************************************************************************************
Micah Thomas was born in 1997 in Columbus, Ohio. He started playing songs on the piano by ear at the age of 2, and shortly afterwards he started private piano training. From his sophomore year of high school onwards, Micah began gigging regularly with violinist Christian Howes, and was a regular faculty member at his annual Creative Strings Workshop from 2015-2018. He also has appeared several times with Byron Stripling and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra as a guest artist, performing with John Clayton and Joshua Redman for their 45th anniversary concert series in 2017. He has also performed throughout Ohio with other musicians including JD Allen, Billy Contreras, Eddie Bayard, George Delancey, Cedric Easton, and Bobby Floyd.
In 2015, Micah Thomas received the Jerome L. Greene Fellowship from the Juilliard School, and received his Master of Music (M.M.) degree in 2020. He is now touring and performing locally and internationally, both as a leader of his own trio, a steady member of the Immanuel Wilkins Quartet, and as a sideman for Ambrose Akinmusire, Lage Lund, Billy Drummond, Zoh Amba, Giveton Gelin, Stacy Dillard, Joel Ross, Nicole Glover, Melissa Aldana, Etienne Charles, Harish Raghavan and others.
In June 2020, Micah Thomas released his first album, “Tide”, which received positive reviews from the New York Journal, The New York Times, JazzTimes, and Financial Times, among others. He has appeared on several albums as a sideman for Immanuel Wilkins, Billy Drummond, Zoh Amba, Giveton Gelin, and Walter Smith III.
In September 2022, Micah Thomas released the album “Piano Solo”. Micah was also the curator for the 2022 SWR NewJazz Meeting.

Brandon Williams Quintet
2023-01-08 19:30 - 23:00, 2023-01-07 19:30 - 23:00
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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Fri: Straight ahead jazz- Dwight Adams/trumpet, Wesley Reynoso/piano, Jeremiah Edwards/bass, Brandon Williams/drums

Sat: Contemporary jazz quartet- Jeff Ponders/sax, Derrick Benford/piano, Damon Warmack/bass, Brandon Williams/drums

Sun: Organ Trio- Gerrard Gibbs/organ, Larry Barris/Guitar, Brandon Williams/drums

Detroit-bred Brandon Williams’ life has always included music in some capacity. First as a listener, then as a musician, and ultimately, as a producer. He is a musical architect that is quickly making his name and stake as a front-runner in the music industry with the release of his 2014 debut album entitled XII featuring Robert Glasper, Jean Baylor (formerly of Zhane’), Frank McComb, Nicholas Payton, Choklate, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and more. The album has received high praises from musical luminaries such as Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick (Incognito), Chuckii Booker, Maysa Leak, Ledisi, Rahsaan Patterson, Marion Meadows, Dianne Reeves, Sinbad, Will Downing, Jill Scott and many others. He has also been personally endorsed as a great producer by the legendary Quincy Jones.

He is a tastemaker with an undeniable track record. As an musician, he has performed with Musiq Soulchild, Chantae Cann (Snarky Puppy), Talib Kweli, Dionne Ferris, Eric Roberson, Najee, Angie Stone, Wyclef Jean of The Fugees, Raheem DeVaughn, Keyon Harrold (Miles Ahead), Gordon Chambers, Rance Allen, Ronnie McNair (The Four Tops) Kevin Toney, Kim Burrell, Carvin Winans, Jaguar Wright, Derrick Hodge, Gene Dunlap, Johnny O’Neal, Geno Young, Talib Kweli, Earnest Pugh, Millie Scott, Martha Reeves, The Last Poets, Sy Smith, Zo!, Carmen Rodgers, Conya Doss, Mike Phillips, and Sherry Scott, formerly of Earth, Wind & Fire. He’s also opened for some of the industry’s finest including; Faith Evans, Morris Day and The Time, Jose James, The Isley Brothers, Angela Winbush, Janelle Monae, George Duke, Liv Warfield, Regina Belle, P.J. Morton (Maroon 5), Joe Sample, Norman Brown, and Jonathan Butler, just to name a few. He’s even performed for Earvin “Magic” Johnson, MC Lyte, Holly Robinson-Peete, The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, Curtis Armstrong (Revenge of the Nerds, Ray), Vondie Curtis-Hall, and Spike Lee.

Find more about Brandon Williams HERE!

The Colton Weatherston Quartet
2022-12-30 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Seatings begin at 5p & 8:45p respectively)
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“Colton is known for his interpretations of standards, swing, and bebop, with unique presentations of rare gems from the early jazz canon to French chanson with hints of blues and R&B. Below the surface of his subtle guitar stylings, an explosive technical mastery transports his ensembles to heights of flowing groove and harmonic exploration. Here, his pared down vocal phrasing acts as a foil, centering the repertoire on his relaxed delivery of well known lyrics. A satisfying recipe for jazz in the 21st Century.”
– Mortimer Cliftoner, Philadelphia Exporter

Jason Janas: Monk's Fruit feat. The Marion Hayden Trio
2022-12-28 19:30 - 23:00
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Seatings begin at 5p & 8:45p respectively)
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Jason Janas is originally from New Jersey. He began his tap dance instruction under Ms. Deborah Mitchell and was the first charter member of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble. He then found a love for the dance and continued to learn and study the art form. He also trained and was a member of the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble under the direction of Gene Medler.
Jason’s first professional company after high school was Tapestry Dance Company in Austin TX, under the direction of Acia Gray. He was a principal dancer there for 5 years. His hard work ethic began to take notice and Derick Grant invited Jason to be in his show Imagine Tap! which ran for 6 weeks in Chicago, and changed his life. His other show credits include Souls of our Feet with Tapestry Dance Company, Wonderland with Sara Savelli and Ayodele Casel, and most recently co-choreographed and was featured in Tap Stars with Rasta Thomas. He currently teaches for Wild Dance Convention and West Coast Dance Explosion, and has taught at tap festivals in New Jersey, Chicago, New York, L.A., Charlotte, Austin, San Antonio, Vancouver, Zürich, Curitiba (Brazil), Moscow, and Barcelona!

James Carter Holiday Show
2022-12-18 19:30 - 23:30, 2022-12-17 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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James Carter brings his energetic musical experience to Cliff Bell’s to bring the spirit of the holidays and jazz with this special show. Mr. Carter will bring a special guest artist to perform with his esteemed trio to present a show you will want to be here for.
“You have to be totally comfortable wherever,” Carter says. “I feel that music equals life, that’s the way my teacher always taught me. You just can’t go through life and experience it fully with a set of blinders on. I think there’s tremendous beauty in cross-pollinations of music and influences.”
In many ways, weaving together divergent impulses is at the heart of Carter’s music. Like the late tenor sax titan Ben Webster, he’s given to furious, high-velocity solos, but is just as likely to wax sentimental, using his big, bruising tone to tenderly caress a comely melody. In 2000, he released two albums simultaneously that amounted to an anti-manifesto, a proclamation that everything is fair game.
The organ combo reigned for several decades as jazz’s meat-and-potatoes mainstay, a populist vehicle for blues-drenched blowing. In the hands of James Carter, one of jazz’s most sophisticated improvisers, the organ trio is no less meaty and satisfying. But his virtuosic saxophone chops elevate the organ combo to a rarefied realm defined by delectable soul, a gourmet repertoire, and consistently inspired group interplay.
Featuring the lithe and muscular keyboard work of Detroit’s rising B3 star Gerard Gibbs and the propulsive drum support of Motor City trap master Alex White, the multigenerational James Carter Organ Trio is now in its seventeenth year.

More information HERE!

Album Release Show: Rodney Whitaker Quartet
2022-12-01 19:30 - 23:00
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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Internationally renowned bassist and Mack Avenue recording artist, Rodney Whitaker, currently holds the titles of Professor of Jazz Bass and Director of Jazz Studies at Michigan State University where he has built one of the leading jazz degree programs and performing faculty in the United States of America. He is considered one of the leading performers and teachers of the jazz double bass in the United States. Whitaker has performed and toured with over 100+ legendary performing jazz artists over the past 25+ years. Featured on more than 100+ recordings – from film to compact discs – Whitaker’s film scores, China, directed by Jeff Wray, was released on PBS Fall 2002 and Malaria and Malawi, released on PBS Fall 2010. Also, Whitaker has a DVD release featuring Michigan State University’s Jazz Department entitled, “Inside Jazz” and three new compact discs entitled, “Get Ready” & “Work To Do”—both on Mack Avenue Records and “Better Than Alright” by Michigan State University College of Music.

Please join us for phenomenal experiences and copacetic encounters during their Mid-West performances at Cliff Bell’s.
http://www.rodneywhitaker.com/

Ben Sharkey
2022-11-26 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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One of Detroit’s premiere live entertainers over the past ten years plus, Ben Sharkey infuses his live performances with a hip and sultry fire, bringing his artful swagger to the stage with a
colorful fusion of old school cool, contemporary jazz, soul and pop. Since the charismatic
vocalist posted his first raw home videos of himself singing Michael Buble and Frank Sinatra
classics to YouTube in 2007, he has amassed over 5 million views worldwide for over 70 clips.
By increasingly popular demand, the Michigan native has amassed hundreds of performances at jazz hotspots like Cliff Bell’s and a five year and counting residency at the Axis Lounge at the MGM Grand Detroit. He’s been compared to everyone from Frank and Buble to Dean Martin, Mel Torme and Harry Connick, Jr. – yet he’s evolved from being a stellar vocal interpreter to master storyteller and songwriter.
Collaborating with his pianist Chris Codish, Ben has written clever, crafty tunes expressing every aspect of love, deep heartfelt connections and the sheer joy of living life to the fullest in the sexiest, naughtiest, most sensual and playful way possible. Stylistically, he lets his muse lead the way to booming percussion driven landscapes infused with jazz, pop, swing, R&B, Latin and crisp, edgy house-dance beats that make him the ultimate contemporary hipster as well as a masterful throwback artist.

Spare Parts
2022-11-19 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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Spare Parts is an instrumental trio that pushes well beyond the jazz funk spectrum in
which it thrives. Driven by vintage keyboards (Kevin Kozol), electric bass (Colin Scott)
and drums (Mike Bruno), Spare Parts recalls the aesthetics of the analog era through a
fresh and modern approach. Known for their hard hitting grooves, dynamic
improvisation and collaborations with Chicago’s finest musicians, Spare Parts has won
a loyal following over the years. The band has several releases on Ropeadope Records
and has received accolades from across the industry including Ukvibe.org,
Notreble.com, and Modern Jazz (MOJA) Radio.
Spare Parts has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and beyond, while becoming a mainstay on the Chicago scene. From dive bars to prominent jazz clubs, theaters and festivals, Spare Parts has played countless shows and held several successful residencies. Members of the band have performed with Grammy winning artists Victor Wooten, Paul Wertico, and Michael Bolton, as well as Fareed Haque, Stephen Perkins, Lenny Pickett, Bill Dickens, Javon Jackson, George Brooks, Vikku Vinayakram, V. Selvaganesh and Garaj Mahal. Spare Parts has shared the stage with George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Snoop Dogg, Vulfpeck, George Porter Jr., The Wailers, Forq, Kneebody, The New Mastersounds, Wayne Krantz, Chester Thompson, Alan Evans, Stanton Moore, and many more.
Visit spareapartsmusic.com for more!

Leslie DeShazor
2022-11-13 19:30 - 23:00, 2022-11-12 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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2021 MPower Grant Recipient and 2021TedX speaker Leslie DeShazor was named one of thirty Professional Movers and Shakers in the Performing Arts by Musical America in 2019. Violist, violinist, composer and arranger Leslie DeShazor is in demand as a soloist, teacher and recording artist. Though classically trained, Mrs. DeShazor is a talented and diverse musician. As a soloist, she has performed with the Toledo Symphony. She is a freelance artists who performs and has performed with The Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra, Michigan Sinfonietta, CutTime Simfonica, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Flint Symphony, The River Raisin Ragtime Revue and Ann Arbor Symphony as well as jazz ensembles, Leigh Daniels Ensemble the Detroit-based, Musique Noire and Straight Ahead.
She has performed and recorded with international, Grammy award winning R&B stars, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, and Aretha Franklin and Grammy award winning gospel artists Fred Hammond, Michael W. Smith and Donnie McClurkin. She has also had the pleasure of performing with jazz greats such as Roy Hargrove, Steve Wilson, Pat Metheny, Sheila Jordan, Diane Schuur, Regina Carter, Xavier Davis and Marcus Belgrave. She has recently expanded her versatility musically playing both viola and violin as a part of award winning hit musicals Hamilton and Hello Dolly.
An experienced instructor, she currently teaches students of Detroit with instructional music programs offered through the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Sphinx Organization and her own private studio.. A native of Michigan, Mrs. DeShazor holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.

Marcus Elliot Quartet
2022-10-30 19:30 - 23:00, 2022-10-29 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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Marcus Elliot (Marcus Elliot Miller) is a saxophonist, composer, improviser, and educator based in Detroit, Michigan. Marcus is a 2020 Kresge Artist Fellow, awarded by Kresge Arts in Detroit. His compositions and improvisations have been described by the New York Times as “convincing and confident, evolved in touch and tone…”, and the Detroit Free Press has said, “Marcus Elliot represents next generation of jazz”. Elliot leads and co-leads many different Detroit based bands including the Marcus Elliot Quartet, Clockwork, Balance, Beyond Rebellious, and Lanula. Elliot performs in the Shigeto Live Ensemble. He is a Fellow of the Geri Allen Gathering Orchestra. He co-founded the nonprofit Polyfold Musical Arts Collective. Elliot is the director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Jazz Ensembles. Elliot received his master’s degree in improvisation from the University of Michigan.
Elliot is a disciple of the Detroit music scene. His mentors include Rodney Whitaker, Marcus Belgrave, Robert Hurst, Donald Walden, Bennie Maupin, Marion Hayden, and Karriem Riggins. After graduating with a bachelors degree in Jazz Studies from Michigan State University, Marcus began to curate weekly performances in Detroit, showcasing some of Detroit’s young jazz musicians. Marcus self-released three albums with his ensemble, the Marcus Elliot Quartet and co-released an album with his duo project with Michael Malis, Balance.
As a Sideman, Marcus has performed with Bob Hurst, Karriem Riggins, James Carter, Jimmy Cobb, Marcus Belgrave, Johnny O’Neal, Jimmy Heath, Shigeto, Thaddeus Dixon, Ettiene Charles, Mulgrew Miller, Rodney Whitaker, Talib Kweli, and many others.
Marcus was a co-founder of Polyfold; a collective of musical artists who have joined together to develop, and present creative works. Founded in Detroit, Polyfold produces concerts and recordings, hosts outreach events and educational workshops, and fosters creative community in Detroit and beyond.
Marcus has received his Masters of Music degree at the University of Michigan, where he was awarded a graduate assistantship. He is active in the Detroit music community, collaborating with musicians in jazz, free-improvised music, techno, hip-hop, r&b, and classical music.
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