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.
—The New York Times
Enjoy the music of Baltimore’s Todd Marcus and friends during this First Saturday Festival.
Marcus is one of the few jazz artists worldwide to feature the bass clarinet as the lead in his small and large ensembles. Known for his direct approach to performance, his compositions swing with fiery intensity and are balanced with refined introspection. Self-taught in jazz, his music draws from elements of his community work, and often incorporates the Middle Eastern influences of his Egyptian-American heritage.
Also sharing the performance space is artist Kayti Didriksen who will sketch the musicians and audience nearby.