Marcus Lewis was born in Augusta Georgia in 1978. He began playing trombone at the age of 12 and shortly after decided that music was his calling. In 2001, Marcus graduated from Valdosta State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Performance and continued on to receive a Master’s Degree in Trombone Performance from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Marcus currently lives in Atlanta, GA where he leads his own quintet and continues to tour with The Marcus Lewis Band and the Grammy Nominated vocalist, Janelle Monáe.
Marcus just released his debut CD entitled “Facing East” which features a world class line-up including Logan Richardson on Alto Sax, Adam Larson on Tenor Sax, Pablo Masis on Trumpet, Andrea Lewis on Vocals, Sam Harris on Piano, Aidan Carroll on Bass, and Tommy Crane on Drums. The album was featured in Vogue Magazine as being one the top albums on Janelle Monae’s 2012 Summer Playlist. Marcus Lewis is currently working on music for a new CD to be released in the fall of 2013.
Marcus has performed at venues that include the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, the Klaipeda Jazz Festival in 2003, and the Jimmy Carter Summer Concert Series in 2008. As a sideman, he has also performed at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, the 2010 New Orleans Jazz Fest, the 2011 Glastonbury Festival, the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Concert and the 2012 North Sea Jazz Festival, the Sydney Opera House, and for President Barack Obama at the White House in 2011 and 2012. Marcus was awarded the 2008 Betty Carter Jazz Residency and the 2003 Outstanding Soloist award at the Wichita Jazz Festival.
Some notable artists that Marcus has performed and/or recorded with are Aretha Franklin, Janelle Monáe, Bruno Mars, B.o.B, Musiqsoulchild, Avery Sunshine, The Barkays, Confunkshun, and Sugarfoot’s Ohio Players. In addition to an active touring and recording schedule, Marcus stays busy writing, arranging, teaching and leading clinics and master-classes worldwide.