Michael Marcus

Bio:

Michael Marcus has been an active member of the New York jazz scene for over twenty five years. Professionnal debuts with blues bands in the 1970's (Albert King, Bobby Blue Bland w/Mel Brown). In the 1980's and 1990's becomes a prominent figure on the “free jazz” scene with the likes of Sonny Simmons, Frank Lowe, Philip Wilson, Jemeel Moondoc, Denis Charles, Makanda Ken McIntyre...while always staying connected to the tradition! Since releasing his debut recording as a leader, Under The Wire for Enja in 1991, he has continued to be part of the cutting edge in American improvised music, touring the festival and club circuits both in the US and Europe, as well as appearing on over thirty records (mostly as a leader) for Soul Note, Justin' Time, Not Two, Boxholder, CIMP. Michael (in 1997-98) had the pleasure of recording & touring with the late great Mr.Jaki Byard!!...He is extremely active in the 2000's... Co-leading the “Cosmosamatics” with Sonny Simmons (8 albums and numerous tours of Europe), the new decade has seen the release of important archival material with “Ithem” for Ayler records, a 1993 date with bassist William Parker and the late Denis Charles, and of his first highly acclaimed unaccompanied recording “Speakin' Out” (Drimala, 2002). Besides the Cosmosamatics, one of his regular groups includes Nasheet Waits and/or Jay Rosen w/ Tarus Mateen-with these two trios, he cut two important recordings for SoulNote-”Blue Reality” & “Soulifications”. MR.Marcus had also the pleasure to work in a duo context with the great drum master :Edgar Bateman! Some of his current projects are “Duology”, an innovative duo of brass and Bb clarinet where he joins forces with brassman Ted Daniel-2008 (tours of the USA & Europe!) will see their second release on the SoulNote label-”Golden Atoms”!-and also “Michael Marcus & Magic Door”, a new and flexible group who will defend Michael's latest release for Not Two, “The Magic Door”, touring with both groups in the US and in Europe. His collaborators with the Magic Door group are Jay Rosen, Aaron James, Daniel Levin, François Grillot, Radu Williams-some of the rising stars in the current scene. Michael is now focusing on his recordings & performances with the Bb clarinet, an interesting departure from the sax family.... While Michael continues to grow into new visions in the new millenium, he is now also presenting his music in the format of the traditional quartet/quintet of- “Clarinet-piano-bass-drums & percussion”, keeping a flame alive! Nov.,2008 - celebrates Michaels' newest release on Not Two Records "Lotus Symphony"(www.nottwo.com)w/Taru Alexander, John Austria, Rashaan Carter, Radu Ben Judah, Jay Rosen & special guest:Antoine Roney! His current quartet for NYC performances has included: Alan Jay Palmer-Rashaan Carter-Russell Carter, Jessie Crawford, David Bryant, Dezron Douglas and Woody Turner! *(for more extensive bio/discography info.-kindly go to: www.michaelmarcusjazz.com or www.allaboutjazz.com-musicians profile) "Lotus Symphony is a fertile rejoinder for the clarinet in modern improvisation." Clifford Allen-Feb.2009 .. ..»-(¯..v..¯)-».. Design your MySpace with MyLook ..«-(¯..v..¯)-«..

Member Since:

May 26, 2008

Members:

Influences:

I love anybody or musician in the Jazz world that commits their life to it..I especially today would like to mention with respect & love: Wardell Gray-Art Pepper-Don Cherry-Johnny Dodds-George Lewis (Bb clarinet)- John Carter-Sonny Clark-Tony Scott-Ray Draper-Joe McPhee- Joe Albany-Booker Little-K.D.-Dolphy-Trane-J.R.Montrose- Pepper Adams-George Braith and always Bird!

Record Label:

Not Two Records