Todd Marcus

Bass clarinetist, composer, and bandleader Todd Marcus is one of the few jazz artists worldwide to focus their work primarily on the bass clarinet. Marcus’ straight-ahead playing has carved out a unique voice for the instrument in modern jazz and his music swings with fire, introspective intensity, and a strong lyrical sensibility. The New York Times writes, “Mr. Marcus is probably the most inventive bass clarinetist working in straight-ahead jazz today…[and] lives in Baltimore, where he is a guiding light on the city’s jazz scene who doubles as an activist and organizer.” Self taught in jazz theory and composition, Marcus’ compositions draw largely on straight-ahead jazz and classical influences but have also heavily explored the Middle-Eastern sounds from his Egyptian-American heritage. Marcus leads bands from 2-10 musicians and has worked with other jazz artists such as Gary Bartz, Bennie Maupin, Don Byron, Larry Willis, Ralph Peterson, Warren Wolf, & Sean Jones.