Todd Marcus, bass clarinet
Virginia MacDonald, clarinet
Tim Brey, piano
Blake Meister, bass
Eric Kennedy, drums
Since 2022, Baltimore bass clarinetist Todd Marcus and Toronto clarinetist Virginia MacDonald have been performing and touring together across the United States and Canada with their quintet. Their work together presents a lush ensemble that showcases the range of beauty and power by the clarinet in a modern jazz context, with repertoire comprised of original compositions by both bandleaders. They have performed at jazz festivals and prominent venues internationally....
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Todd Marcus, bass clarinet
Virginia MacDonald, clarinet
Tim Brey, piano
Blake Meister, bass
Eric Kennedy, drums
Since 2022, Baltimore bass clarinetist Todd Marcus and Toronto clarinetist Virginia MacDonald have been performing and touring together across the United States and Canada with their quintet. Their work together presents a lush ensemble that showcases the range of beauty and power by the clarinet in a modern jazz context, with repertoire comprised of original compositions by both bandleaders. They have performed at jazz festivals and prominent venues internationally.
Playing the clarinet is challenging (due technical and volume complexities) which leads most woodwind musicians to use saxophones and avoid using clarinets in more intense modern jazz. While the clarinet has a rich history in traditional New Orleans and Dixieland music, swing era big band contexts, and avant-garde free playing, it is significantly underutilized in modern straight-ahead jazz.
Marcus and MacDonald have filled this gap for the clarinet in modern jazz. Their unique solo and compositional voices have established a prominence and international reputation on their instruments in jazz today. Their musical partnership showcases the versatility of the clarinet and captures audiences with a new and unique musical experience.
Check them out on this YouTube video.
Todd Marcus is one of the few artists worldwide to focus on the bass clarinet as a main instrument in modern jazz with his small and large ensembles. His straight-ahead playing and compositions swing with fiery intensity balanced with delicate introspection. Self-taught in jazz, his music offers a strong melodic sensibility, draws from elements of his community work, and often incorporates the Middle Eastern influences of his Egyptian-American heritage.
Marcus has released six albums and worked with other jazz artists such as Gary Bartz, Bennie Maupin, Don Byron, Ralph Peterson, Warren Wolf, Sean Jones, and Orrin Evans. His national and international touring performances include the 2023 International Clarinet Association Summit, 2017 Jazz Tales Festival in Egypt, 2015 Cairo Jazz Festival, and in 2005 at the 1st World Bass Clarinet Convention in Rotterdam.
Todd is an endorsed artist for Syos mouthpieces, Legere Reeds, and RZ Clarinets. toddmarcusjazz.com
Juno Award-nominated clarinetist Virginia MacDonald is a rising star of her generation with her lyrical and soulful playing. She is a highly in-demand bandleader, sidewoman and composer.
In 2020, Virginia won first-prize in the International Clarinetist Corona Competition. She recorded and performed with esteemed artists including Michael Dease, Ira Coleman, Harold Mabern, Geoffrey Keezer, Rodney Whitaker, Xavier Davis, Quincy Davis, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Bill Cunliffe, Randy Napoleon, Derrick Gardner, Kirk MacDonald, Pat Labarbera, Neil Swainson, and Terry Clarke.
She is an endorsed artist for Buffet Crampon, Rovner Products and D’Addario Woodwinds. virginiamacdonald.ca
Shows at 7 pm & 9 pm EDT
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