Quick Facts
Biography
Michael Marcus (August 25, 1952) is an American jazz clarinetist/multi-woodwind player. He also plays A clarinet, bass clarinet, soprano saxophone, as well as tenor, baritone, bass, C melody saxophones, straight alto (Stritch), Saxello & Tarogato!. He is also a composer and arranger.
Since releasing his debut recording as a leader, Under the Wire for Enja Records in 1991, he has appeared on more than 35 records for Soul Note, Justin' Time, Not Two, Boxholder, Ayler, Drimala, CIMP and Qwest/Warner. He has composed over 150 original/recorded compositions. Marcus was a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Individual Artist Grant. His first professional gigs were with Albert King and Bobby "Blue" Bland. Marcus has recorded and toured with the Saxemble (Frank Lowe and James Carter) and with the great Mr. Jaki Byard. With Sonny Simmons, he is the co-leader of The Cosmosamatics w/ 9 recordings and multiple domestic and international tours. Marcus performed in a duo context with master drum legend Edgar Bateman. Marcus and Ted Daniel comprise Duology, which has collaborated with Andrew Cyrille. Marcus continues to record and tour with his own group.
Discography
- Under The Wire (Enja, 1991) with Joseph Bowie,Ted Daniel, William Parker, Reggie Nicholson
- Here At! (Soul Note), 1993 with Steve Swell, Fred Hopkins, William Parker, Dennis Charles, Sadiq Abdu Shahid
- Ithem (Ayler Records, 1993) with William Parker, Dennis Charles
- Reachin´ (Justin Time, 1995) with Bruce Edwards, Steve Neil, Cindy Blackman
- This Happening (Justin Time, 1996) Duo with Jaki Byard
- Involution (Justin Time 1997) w/ the Jaki Byard Trio
- In The Center Of It All (Justin Time 1998) w/Rahn Burton and Nasheet Waits
- Live in N.Y.(Soul Note 1999) w/Cody Moffett and Chris Sullivan
- Sunwheels (Justin Time, 2000) with Rahn Burton Nasheet Waits and Carlos "Patato" Valdes
- Blue Reality (Soul Note, 2001) with Tarus Mateen, Jay Rosen
- Speakin'’ Out (Drimala, 2002; solo)
- Magnitudes (Soul Note 2004) The Cosmosamatics
- Soulifications- (Soul Note 2005) Michael Marcus Trio w/Tarus Mateen and Nasheet Waits
- Duology (2006, with Ted Daniel)
- The Magic Door ( Not Two 2007) w/Francois Grillot , Daniel Levin, Eric Revis, Newman Baker and Jay Rosen
- Lotus Symphony (NotTwo, 2008) with Taru Alexander, John Austria, Rashaan Carter, Radu Ben Judah, Jay Rosen, Antoine Roney
- For Yes! (Not Two-2011)w/Clifford Barbaro, Lenwood Turner, Russell Carter & more!
- Duology/Andrew Cyrille (Jazzwerkstatt 2012)
- Jazz Maalika (Saptak Jazz 2013) with The Cosmosamatics w/Sonny Simmons