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To some, jazz may be a dying breed, but for Todd Marcus, the genre has been a lifelong passion. And his energetic, one-of-a-kind performances are testament to the fact that jazz is anything but dead.
"My main instrument is the bass clarinet, which is a unique one in jazz," said Marcus. "So what I present musically is something new and interesting."
"My full orchestra has different sounds and textures and it's an exciting group. A lot of jazz clubs and venues may not be able to host all of us, so to be able to bring it to Frederick and play in a beautiful hall will be fun," Marcus said.
Livening up the performance even more, guest performers will add their own trumpet and piano sound to the mix.
Former collaborator, Orrin Evans, a pianist from Philadelphia, will also join in the show, which will feature original compositions and arrangements by Marcus himself — much from his latest CD. Marcus has also been busy writing brand new music specifically for this concert.
"Over the last two years, I've been growing a lot as a soloist," Marcus said. Drawing from the influence of hip-hop and world beat, this new sound appeals to jazz lovers, as well as those unfamiliar with the genre.
Growing up listening to classical music with his parents, Marcus first learned the piano before picking up the clarinet. When a friend introduced him to jazz, he couldn't get enough, borrowing record after record.
"My band teacher kept trying to turn me away from jazz because I played clarinet," Marcus said.
But his interest kept growing.
"Some part of me always had a curiosity and interest in it," he said.
That interest runs in the family. Marcus said his mother took up the oboe in her 40s. "She's gotten really good at it," he said.
The Weinberg concert is being presented as part of a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council as a way to bring up-and-coming local musicians to various areas across the region. In fact, the orchestra will open its rehearsal on Friday to students interested in studying jazz.
"I think it's important to introduce new folks to jazz since it's a dying breed of music," said Marcus. "A lot of older folks are listening to it still, but it's become more like classical music."
Marcus and his group of professional, passionate musicians are hoping that music lovers of all kinds will come out Friday evening to support the orchestra.
"Even non-jazz lovers can find something to listen to since there are so many layers to it," Marcus said.
An Evening of Jazz
Featuring the Todd Marcus Orchestra and special guests
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Weinberg Center for the Arts,
20 W. Patrick St., Frederick
Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door
For information:
301-600-2828
www.weinbergcenter.org
