Marcus Shelby Orchestra’s MLK

Marcus Shelby has long been a superb upright bassist, but the scope of his work, influence and acclaim prove he is much more. He gained initial recognition as leader of the young post-bop group Black/Note and currently leads and writes for his Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra. Shelby is practically ubiquitous. He is an influential educator, has won countless awards, scored films and theatrical shows, and has composed music for ballet and dance companies. His recordings have documented some of his most significant work, including a recent portrait oratorio of Harriet Tubman. In 2005, City Flight Magazine named Marcus Shelby one of the “Top Ten Most Influential African Americans in the Bay Area.” To SFJAZZ, Shelby brings his latest large-scale work, entitled MLK...

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Marcus Shelby has long been a superb upright bassist, but the scope of his work, influence and acclaim prove he is much more. He gained initial recognition as leader of the young post-bop group Black/Note and currently leads and writes for his Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra. Shelby is practically ubiquitous. He is an influential educator, has won countless awards, scored films and theatrical shows, and has composed music for ballet and dance companies. His recordings have documented some of his most significant work, including a recent portrait oratorio of Harriet Tubman. In 2005, City Flight Magazine named Marcus Shelby one of the “Top Ten Most Influential African Americans in the Bay Area.” To SFJAZZ, Shelby brings his latest large-scale work, entitled MLK. The piece celebrates the life of Martin Luther King Jr., and integrates fresh orchestrations of African American spirituals with the Civil Rights era music of John Coltrane and Charles Mingus. Featured are vocalists Faye Carol, Jeannine Anderson and Kenny Washington as well as special guest Howard Wiley on tenor saxophone.

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