Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 7:30 PM
For November’s concert performance, Spine Showcases is thankful to be hosting Marcus Lewis! Spine Showcases is a monthly concert series featuring the best contemporary jazz artists in Kansas City for free. Curated by Kelley Gant, patrons can expect some of the freshest experiences that the Kansas City jazz scene has to offer. The featured artist for the next show on Thursday, November 21, 2019, will be Marcus Lewis.
The Spine Showcases are FREE and open to the public. Every show takes place at Capsule (located 1664 Broadway Blvd, KCMO). Spine Showcases occur on the third Thursday of every month. Doors open at 7:30 PM and the performance begins at 8:00 PM.
Marcus Lewis holds a BM in jazz performance from Valdosta State Universi- ty and MM in trombone performance from the University of Nebras- ka at Omaha. Marcus currently lives in Kansas City, MO where he leads his own quintet, 18-piece big band and continues to tour with Grammy nominated vocalist, Janelle Monáe. Lewis also has a pas- sion for education, as he is the Founder and Artistic Director of Fu- ture Jazz, a nonprofit dedicated to jazz education. In addition to that, he is the Adjunct Jazz Trombone Professor at the University of Mis- souri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance.
Marcus released his debut CD in 2012 entitled “Facing East” which features a world class line-up including Logan Richardson on Alto Sax, Adam Larson on Tenor Sax, Pablo Masis on Trumpet, Andrea Lewis on Vocals, Sam Harris on Piano, Aidan Carroll on Bass, and Tommy Crane on Drums. The album was featured in Vogue Maga- zine as being one the top albums on Janelle Monae’s 2012 Summer Playlist. Marcus Lewis’ most recent effort “Brass and Boujee” was released in August, 2018.
Marcus has performed at venues that include the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, the Klaipeda Jazz Festival in 2003, and the Jimmy Carter Summer Concert Series in 2008. As a sideman, he has also performed at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, the 2010 New Or- leans Jazz Fest, the 2011 Glastonbury Festival, the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Concert and the 2012 North Sea Jazz Festival, the Sydney Opera House, and for President Barack Obama at the White House in 2011 and 2012. Television shows include SNL, David Letterman, The To- day Show, Jools Holland, Arsenio Hall, and American Idol. Marcus was awarded the 2008 Betty Carter Jazz Residency and the 2003 Outstanding Soloist award at the Wichita Jazz Festival.
Some notable artists that Marcus has performed and/or recorded with are Aretha Franklin, Prince, Janelle Monáe, Bruno Mars, B.o.B, Jidenna, Musiqsoulchild, Avery Sunshine, The Barkays, Con- funkshun, Quincy Jones and Sugarfoot’s Ohio Players. Marcus is a B.A.C. artist/endorser, and plays their trombones exclusively. In ad- dition to an active touring and recording schedule, Marcus stays busy writing, arranging, teaching and leading clinics and master-classes worldwide.
In 2006 Logan released his debut album, Cerebral Flow, and in 2009 he followed up with his sophomore album, Ethos. In 2011 Logan moved from New York to Paris where he has continued to build a wide spread international acclaim for his angular, shape painting, intervallic approach to playing the alto saxophone. Logan has been received favorably for his uniquely identifiable sound on the alto horn, in addition to his compositional fortitude in which he displays at a great depth as an urban sound designer.
In 2012 Logan collaborated with Concord Records, and soon after released the project, NEXT Collective, in addition to being the alto voice in this formation, Logan was also an arranger, and co-producer for the project. Logan recorded his highly anticipated third album, SHIFT, with an elegantly matched band of artists, innovators, and including 20 time grammy winning guitarist, Pat Metheny; MacArthur genius grant recipient, and Artistic Director of Jazz at Kennedy Center, pianist, Jason Moran; the greatest living drummer, and son of master Freddie Waits, drummer Nasheet Waits; innovator of the double bass.
Logan has recently recorded his fourth album as a band leader entitled “Blues People” featuring Richardson on Alto Saxophone, and effects; Justus West, Electric Guitar, & Vocals; Igor Osypov, Electric Guitar; DeAndre Manning, Electric Bass; Ryan J. Lee, Drums.
This project sonically sets Logan off into a completely different territory as he dives deeper into his roots presenting a sci-fi themed, hauntingly 80’s referenced, soundtrack to his life. This album is now available on the Stretch Music/ Ropeadope and Universal Music labels worldwide.