{"title":"Michael Marcus","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the continuing journey of Michael Marcus, skilled multi-reed player\/composer who is assembling an impressive body of recorded work. He is one of a handful of saxophonists that has recorded with every principal member of the saxophone family, from the sopranino to the bass saxophone. Michael's fifth CD for Justin Time 'Sunwheels' (March 2001), is a continuum in the organ tradition. Special guests, legendary Cuban percussionists \"Patato\" Valdez, at spiritual fire and soul to this original band. The recording has all Marcus originals. His project \"In The Center Of it All\", the first recording of this organ trio, released in 1999, features Rahn Burton on Hammond B-3 and Nasheet Waits on drums. For his second and third Justin Time recordings, 'This Happening' and 'Involution', Marcus selected a performance companion who worked and recorded with everyone from Earn Hines to Earl Bostic to, well, you fill the name – Eric Dolphy, Ray Nance, Lennie Tristano, Bill Evans, Mingus, Maynard, Duke and many others. 'Jaki is the history of jazz man', Marcus says. Indeed, if jazz had an official laureate, it should be given to Jaki Byard. This team-up worked so well that they took the show on the road. Together, Michael and Jaki performed several dates in the States and Canada, notably the Toronto and Montreal Jazz Festivals, Seattle's Earshot Jazz Festival, the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles as well as the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Byard's passing in early 1999 put an abrupt end to this musical collaboration. Michael Marcus has been an active member of the New York jazz scene since 1982. In addition to leading groups of his own, he has a considerable reputation as an instrumentalist, composer and arranger lending his talents to diverse projects. He has played and recorded with the likes of Albert King, Bobby Blue Bland, Sonny Rhodes, Sonny Simmons, Billy Higgins and Eddie Henderson. Recent associations include a three-year stint with the Makanda Ken McIntyre Ensemble, performances with the Grachan Moncur Big Band, Ted Daniel and Energy, Zane Massey and the Liberation Suite, Jemeel Moondoc \u0026amp; the JUS GREW Orchestra, B,J,Papa Band \u0026amp; Oakland legend Vince Wallace. On his debut on Justin Time, 'Reachin'', Michael is surrounded by an elite group of musicians: Steve Neil on bass, Bruce Edwards on guitar and Cindy Blackman on drums. This recording features eight Michael Marcus originals, a composition in fellowship with Cindy Blackman and another one with Steve Neil. Michael Marcus has performed at New York's Knitting Factory with his tentet. In 1993, Michael played with his quartet in 'What Is Jazz' festival; he reappeared there again in 1995 with his new quartet featuring guitarist Bruce Edwards and, according to Downbeat, 'was one of the highlights of the festival'. Since 1996, Michael has performed several times to capacity crowds as part of the Blue Note's Monday Night series. Marcus has enjoyed great success with his previous recordings, his debut Enja release 'Under The Wire', released in 1991, received excellent reviews internationally. In 1994, on the Black Saint\/Soul Note label, he released 'Here At!'. A member of The Saxemble with James Carter, Frank Lowe and Cindy Blackman, Michael's discography includes a Saxemble album released in March 1996 on the Quest\/Warner label, and a \"live\" trio recording on soul note, 2000. Michael has performed in Europe at both the Tampere and Eindhoven Jazz Festival and at the Ottawa Jazz Festival in July 1995 with Bob Cunningham on bass and Denis Charles on drums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn June 1995, he participated in the first Roland Kirk Memorial at The Cooler, NYC, playing solo. Furthermore, Michael performed in a duo concert with Joseph Bowie at the 1996 Eddie Moore Jazz Festival in Berkeley, California. He also played with the Sonny Simmons Quartet at the Saalfelden Festival in Austria with Reggie Workman and Charles Moffett, coinciding with Sonny Simmons' new releases on the C.I.M.P. label; 'Transcendence' and 'Judgement Day' on which Michael participated. Also of note, The Michael Marcus Organ Trio (with Donald Smith on Hammond B-3 and drummer Gene Jackson) at The 1998 Texaco Jazz Festival in New York City. Mr. Marcus, one of the last individuals to receive a performance grant from the NEA (National Endowment of the Arts) composed the string arrangements to his original music. These compositions were performed for the first time with a string quartet in November 1998 during a concert at the University of Memphis, as part of a Southern US tour and again in September 1999 at New York City's Museum Of Modern Art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince 2000, Michael has continued to be part of the cutting edge in American improvised music. He has toured Europe (festivals \u0026amp; clubs) with his trio with Tarus Mateen and drummers: Jay Rosen or Nasheet Waits, recording both trios for SoulNote Records. In 2002, Micheal released his first 'solo' recording 'Speakin Out' ' on Drimala Records. and in 2004, Ayler Records released a classic recording of the Michael Marcus Trio -'Ithem'- w\/William Parker \u0026amp; Denis Charles (recorded in 1993). Michael continues his long collaboration with sax giant Sonny Simmons; together they front 'THE COSMOSAMATICS'. The group has recorded several albums (one 'live' at the Banileues Bleues festival with Andrew Cyrille) and is touring internationally and domestically to critical acclaim!\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.michaelmarcusmusic.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003ci class=\"fa fa-globe fa-3x\"\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"involution-2","title":"Involution","description":"","brand":"Michael Marcus","offers":[{"title":"Digital Download","offer_id":39518456021152,"sku":"0068944011650","price":9.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":39534784446624,"sku":"","price":15.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0537\/8477\/2768\/products\/16246ec0-cd1c-4838-9599-cb90c26310756031189506242435397-LARGE_2bff89e5-73fc-48c3-87c6-c7359d5dc60c.jpg?v=1616196060"},{"product_id":"this-happening-2","title":"This Happening","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIf it seems strange that an obviously qualified jazz multi-reedman such as Michael Marcus opted to record his second album for Justin Time playing such obscure collector's items as saxello and stritch, just listen to what he does with these rarely explored experimental offspring of Adolphe Sax. Working in tandem with veteran pianist Jaki Byard, a living definition of jazz eclecticism, Marcus moves neatly through seven originals and two standards, the concluding \"Darn That Dream\" and a seamlessly connected medley of \"Giant Steps\" and \"Naima,\" upon which he turns to his rich, full- bodied bass clarinet for a deeply moving solo. Of course, it is great to hear the inimitable Jaki once again, weaving his stride-to-surrealistic lines in and out of the duo mix, but equal attention should also be paid Marcus, whose mastery of the stritch and saxello, horns presumably untouched since the days of Rahsaan Roland Kirk, excels in intonational quality the work of many better known contemporary altomen and sopranists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e-Jack Sohmer\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Michael Marcus","offers":[{"title":"Digital Download","offer_id":39518468440224,"sku":"0068944009855","price":9.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":39534798373024,"sku":"","price":15.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0537\/8477\/2768\/products\/8472a2a0-01f8-4ac1-bdfa-d038170af37c4778434009032505633-LARGE_cc34d522-a9d1-429d-b53c-e6e1b6d314c7.jpg?v=1616196294"},{"product_id":"sunwheels-2","title":"Sunwheels","description":"","brand":"Michael Marcus","offers":[{"title":"Digital Download","offer_id":39518513692832,"sku":"0068944015658","price":9.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":39534803943584,"sku":"","price":15.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0537\/8477\/2768\/products\/005cfd93-8d5b-4582-9f42-a732a01fb99b11511063830340477095-LARGE_0bf9a52f-b2dc-420a-96e2-a046cb4e78ff.jpg?v=1616197124"},{"product_id":"reachin-2","title":"Reachin'","description":"","brand":"Michael Marcus","offers":[{"title":"Digital Download","offer_id":39518565040288,"sku":"0068944008759","price":9.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":39534814101664,"sku":"","price":15.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0537\/8477\/2768\/products\/f1b0e63b-d44e-422d-9228-47eae132be135293579009157257674-LARGE_b1a461f8-4c13-418b-86cb-a9dba66a7ee6.jpg?v=1616198348"},{"product_id":"in-the-center-of-it-all-2","title":"In the Center of It All","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAs an exponent of\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/rahsaan-roland-kirk-p6898\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/rahsaan-roland-kirk-p6898\"\u003eRahsaan Roland Kirk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/marcus-p11113\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/marcus-p11113\"\u003eMarcus\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003euses a sound on his stritch, saxello, and sopranino saxophone that has a sour, bread-like taste, slightly askew, brimming with life. He's pushing the harmonic envelope while remaining tuneful. For this date,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/rahn-burton-p8194\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/rahn-burton-p8194\"\u003eRahn Burton\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, longtime pianist for\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/kirk-p6898\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/kirk-p6898\"\u003eKirk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, is on the organ, an instrument he has rarely recorded with. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHis approach is very different, more patient, expansive, mellow. Chords linger, burn is minimal. Drummer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/nasheet-waits-p135393\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/nasheet-waits-p135393\"\u003eNasheet Waits\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, son of the late drummer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/freddie-waits-p36877\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/freddie-waits-p36877\"\u003eFreddie Waits\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, more than follows in his fathers footsteps, he's circling them, making his own mark as a fine jazz rhythm maker. Of these ten selections with eight originals by\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/marcus-p11113\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/marcus-p11113\"\u003eMarcus\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, there's a seething-under-the-surface quality, nothing outrageous, but reverent and patient, as if the trio is waiting for the spirit to pay them a visit rather than endlessly searching for it. Several easy grooves appear as on \"Visiting Moments,\" with slight bossa nova inferences, or the waltz \"Flight of the Monarch,\" where a sopranino's cocooning melody becomes a large butterfly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e The title track and \"San Francisco Calling\" have more church-flavored overtones, the former with dual woodwinds played à la\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/kirk-p6898\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/kirk-p6898\"\u003eKirk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, the latter with\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/burton-p6212\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/burton-p6212\"\u003eBurton\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e's Sunday morning-informed groove spurred on by two-note horn lines from trombonist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/clark-gayton-p79322\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/clark-gayton-p79322\"\u003eClark Gayton\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eand trumpeter Gary Strauss. The brass duo also shows up for \"Goodbye to the Smile\" for\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/marcus-p11113\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/marcus-p11113\"\u003eMarcus\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e' previous bandmate and a\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/kirk-p6898\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/kirk-p6898\"\u003eKirk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ealum, the late pianist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/jaki-byard-p61423\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/jaki-byard-p61423\"\u003eJaki Byard\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, whom this CD is dedicated to. On this solemn ballad, the horns echo pain and sweetness in a melody quite similar to\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/thelonious-monk-p106839\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/thelonious-monk-p106839\"\u003eThelonious Monk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e's \"Ask Me Now.\" Best cuts are the lowdown blues stroll \"Badwater,\" the Afro-Cuban-tinged arrangement of the standard \"Invitation,\" and a roaring, hard bopping \"Walking on Fire,\" with a distinct Native American-metered coda\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e. The ballad take of\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/monk-p106839\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/monk-p106839\"\u003eMonk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e's \"Pannonica\" is also unique in that it takes the angularity of the melody and tilts it more askew without damaging its original intent, a refreshing interpretation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/michael-marcus-p11113\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/michael-marcus-p11113\"\u003eMichael Marcus\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eis on to something here. Hopefully the organ trio concept is not a one shot, but with the demonstrated fertile mind of the leader, it's likely he'll continue to try different combinations of musicians. This triad hit the K spot. Recommended.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Michael Marcus","offers":[{"title":"Digital Download","offer_id":39518583226528,"sku":"0068944013050","price":9.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":39519408685216,"sku":"","price":15.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0537\/8477\/2768\/products\/5f470453-08ed-4dc0-87c0-725f4fde2c448730824932266878445-LARGE_9b11f9e2-b358-4492-9b51-b584126c8685.jpg?v=1616198732"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0537\/8477\/2768\/collections\/picArtist257.jpg?v=1616162131","url":"https:\/\/justin-time-records.myshopify.com\/collections\/michael-marcus.oembed","provider":"Justin Time Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}