Todd Marcus Quintet at Pennsylvania Triangle Park

On Friday, August 18 the Todd Marcus Quintet will present a free concert on Baltimore’s historic Pennsylvania Avenue from 6-9pm. The concert will tie into the legacy of arts and entertainment, including jazz clubs, which were the mainstay of “The Avenue” for decades before the 1968 riots and the tragic death of resident Freddie Gray in 2015.

As a 20 year resident and activist in West Baltimore’s Sandtown-Winchester and Upton neighborhoods, bass clarinetist and composer Todd Marcus has worked to write music about life in the community that portrays both the challenges and strengths of his community and find beauty in each. As Marcus’ quintet now prepares to record the music for a new album, they will launch an east coast tour starting with this August 18th community concert....

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On Friday, August 18 the Todd Marcus Quintet will present a free concert on Baltimore’s historic Pennsylvania Avenue from 6-9pm. The concert will tie into the legacy of arts and entertainment, including jazz clubs, which were the mainstay of “The Avenue” for decades before the 1968 riots and the tragic death of resident Freddie Gray in 2015.

As a 20 year resident and activist in West Baltimore’s Sandtown-Winchester and Upton neighborhoods, bass clarinetist and composer Todd Marcus has worked to write music about life in the community that portrays both the challenges and strengths of his community and find beauty in each. As Marcus’ quintet now prepares to record the music for a new album, they will launch an east coast tour starting with this August 18th community concert.

The performance will be held at the intersection of Presstman Street where Marcus also serves as the Executive Director of the community nonprofit Intersection of Change. Accomplishments have included major revitalization of the 1900 and 2000 blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue through the full renovation of six previously vacant and dilapidated buildings, transformation of 18 vacant lots into community green spaces and meditative gardens, creation of a dozen neighborhood murals, and conversion of 96,000 sq./ft. of vacant lots into an urban farm. The nonprofit also operates its Martha’s Place, Jubilee Arts, and Strength to Love II programs which address poverty related challenges in the community.

The concert’s lineup will feature musicians all from or deeply connected to Baltimore including vibraphonist Warren Wolf, guitarist Paul Bollenback, pianist George Colligan, bassist Kris Funn, and drummer Eric Kennedy.

Self taught in jazz theory and composition, Marcus’ straight-ahead playing has carved out a unique voice for the bass clarinet in modern jazz. His music swings hard with both a fiery and introspective intensity but also maintains a strong lyrical sensibility. The bass clarinetist has been voted a “Rising Star” in Downbeat Magazine’s Annual Critics Poll since 2013 and in 2014 was the winner of Baltimore’s prestigious Baker Artist Award winner.

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