Marcus holds a BM in jazz performance from Valdosta State University and MM in trombone performance from the University of Nebraska 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 Monae.
Marcus released his debut CD in 2012 titled 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 magazine as one of the top albums on Janelle Monáe’s 2012 summer playlist. Marcus Lewis released a new CD in fall 2016. Lewis is the Artistic Director of Future Jazz, a nonprofit dedicated to jazz education.
Marcus has performed at venues including 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 Orleans 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 Today 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 include Aretha Franklin, Prince, Janelle Mona?e, Bruno Mars, B.o.B, Jidenna, Musiqsoulchild, Avery Sunshine, The Barkays, Confunkshun, and Sugarfoot’s Ohio Players. In addition to an active touring and recording schedule, Marcus stays busy writing, arranging, teaching and leading clinics, and master classes worldwide.
