Short Bio

 

Multifaceted saxophonist and composer, Marcus Elliot, has emerged as one of the leading voices of the Detroit music scene. The New York Times has called him "convincing and confident, evolved in touch and tone...", and the Detroit Free Press has said, "Marcus Elliot represents next generation of jazz". Marcus creates music with the hope of  “reminding myself and listeners that we are human beings, and what a gift that is.” He is a recipient of the Joyce Awards (2024), a prestigious award for innovative new projects by pioneered by artists spanning the visual, performing, and multidisciplinary arts that engage diverse communities in the Mid-West. He is also a recipient of the Kresge Fellowship(2020), awarded to artist that are recognized for their creative vision and commitment to excellence within a wide range of artistic disciplines. Marcus is instructor of jazz saxophone at Wayne State University and is director of the Creative Arts Orchestra at University of Michigan. Marcus has performed and/or collaborated with Terence Blanchard, Karriem Riggins,  Talib Kwali, Marcus Belgrave, Brian Eno, Shigeto, Robert Hurst, Anthony Davis, Jeff Tain Watts, and many others.

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Long Bio

 

Multifaceted saxophonist and composer, Marcus Elliot, has emerged as one of the leading voices of the Detroit music scene. The New York Times has called him "convincing and confident, evolved in touch and tone...", and the Detroit Free Press has said, "Marcus Elliot represents next generation of jazz". His intention is to communicate through his music that “we are humans, and what a gift that is.”  He leads his namesake ensemble, the "Marcus Elliot Quintet", co-leads the duo project “BALANCE” with pianist Michael Malis, is a vibrant solo performer, is director of the large ensemble “Beyond Rebellious”, and is in constant demand as a sideman. Possessing a uniquely rooted sound on his instrument, a courageous appetite for exploration in improvisation, and a love for expressing beauty through composition, Marcus has the passion of an artist fully devoted to the practice of transformation and connection through sound.

 

Marcus Elliot is committed to the intergenerational transfer of artistic knowledge, history, and traditions. He has spent most of his adult life dedicated to learning from master musicians such as Marcus Belgrave, Geri Allen, Bennie Maupin, Vijay Iyer, JD Allen, Rodney Whitaker, Steve Coleman, Ali Jackson, Wendell Harrison, Donald Walden, Marion Hayden, and many others. Marcus has been fortunate enough to share the knowledge that has been passed to him with other young musicians who are interested in the tradition. He has been teaching private lessons for over 20 years, He was the Director of Detroit Symphony Orchestra Civic Jazz Ensembles. He was instructor of jazz saxophone at Community Music School Detroit, Young Musicians Program in Berkley CA, and Interlochen Arts Academy. He is currently instructor of jazz saxophone at Wayne State University and is director of the Creative Arts Orchestra at University of Michigan.

 

Marcus Elliot’s artistry has garnered numerous accolades. Marcus is recipient the Joyce Awards(2024); a prestigious award for innovative new projects by pioneering artists of color spanning the visual, performing, and multidisciplinary arts that engage diverse communities in the Mid-West. He is a recipient of the Kresge Fellowship(2020); awarded to  artist that are recognized for their creative vision and commitment to excellence within a wide range of artistic disciplines. He is also recipient of the New Music USA grant, Red Bull Music Academy Award, and the Detroit Composers Project Grant.

 

Marcus has performed and/or collaborated with Terence Blanchard, Karriem Riggins, Talib Kwali, Marcus Belgrave, Brian Eno, Shigeto, Robert Hurst, Kris Davis, Adam O’Farrill, Rodney Whitaker, Anthony Davis, Mulgrew Miller, William Pope.L, Najee, Kris Johnson, Amp Fiddler, Marion Hayden, Will Sessions, Jon Dixon, Rafael Lefar, Michael Malis, Nate Winn, Sean Dobbins, Vincent Chandler, Alex Levine, Sajtak, Elijah Miller, and many others.