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Marcus RobertsAmerican jazz pianist, composer
Date of Birth: 07.08.1963
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Marcus Roberts: American Jazz Pianist, Composer, and Educator
- Career
- Collaborations and Honors
- Educational and Artistic Leadership
- Television Appearance and Personal Life
Marcus Roberts: American Jazz Pianist, Composer, and Educator
Early Life and EducationMarcus Roberts was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and lost his sight due to glaucoma and cataracts at the age of five. He attended the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine, where he began studying piano at an early age. Roberts later studied with pianist Leonid Lipovetzky while attending Florida State University.
Career
The Modern Jazz GenerationIn the 1980s, Roberts replaced pianist Kenny Kirkland in Wynton Marsalis' group. Influenced by Jelly Roll Morton and Fats Waller, Roberts' music is rooted in traditional jazz, with an emphasis on ragtime and stride. His album "New Orleans Meets Harlem, Vol. 1" (2009) features compositions by Scott Joplin, Duke Ellington, Morton, and Waller.
Collaborations and Honors
Roberts has collaborated with numerous renowned musicians and orchestras. In 1992, he performed as a soloist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra under Marin Alsop's direction. He also performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Seiji Ozawa's baton in Japan in 2014. In 2021, Roberts received an honorary doctorate from Brigham Young University for his lifetime contributions to music and society.
Educational and Artistic Leadership
Roberts is an Associate Artistic Director of the Savannah Music Festival and Director of the Swing Central annual high school jazz band competition. He is also on the faculty of Florida State University. In 2012, he founded the Modern Jazz Generation, a 12-piece ensemble featuring musicians between the ages of 20 and 50.
Television Appearance and Personal Life
In 2014, Roberts appeared on the television show "60 Minutes." He currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
