Marthaniel "Marcus" Roberts (born August 7, 1963) is an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

pianist, composer, arranger, bandleader, and teacher.

Early life

Roberts was born in

Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville is a city located on the Atlantic coast of northeast Florida, the most populous city proper in the state and is the largest city by area in the contiguous United States as of 2020. It is the seat of Duval County, with which the ...

, United States. His mother was a gospel singer who had gone blind as a teenager, and his father was a longshoreman. Blind since age five due to

glaucoma Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that result in damage to the optic nerve (or retina) and cause vision loss. The most common type is open-angle (wide angle, chronic simple) glaucoma, in which the drainage angle for fluid within the eye rem ...

and

cataracts A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye that leads to a decrease in vision. Cataracts often develop slowly and can affect one or both eyes. Symptoms may include faded colors, blurry or double vision, halos around light, trouble w ...

, Roberts started learning the piano at age five by picking out notes on the instrument at his church until his parents bought a piano when he was eight. He attended the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine, Florida, the alma mater of

Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Ge ...

. Roberts began teaching himself piano at an early age, having his first lesson at age 12, and then studying with Leonidas Lipovetsky while attending

Florida State University Florida State University (FSU) is a public research university in Tallahassee, Florida. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida. Founded in 1851, it is located on the oldest continuous site of higher education in the st ...

Career

In the 1980s, Roberts replaced pianist

Kenny Kirkland Kenneth David Kirkland (September 28, 1955 – November 12, 1998) was an American pianist and keyboardist. Biography Early life Born in Brooklyn, New York, United States, Kirkland was six when he first sat down at a piano keyboard. After years ...

Wynton Marsalis Wynton Learson Marsalis (born October 18, 1961) is an American trumpeter, composer, teacher, and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. He has promoted classical and jazz music, often to young audiences. Marsalis has won nine Grammy Awar ...

's band. Like Marsalis's, his music is rooted in the traditional jazz of the past. His style has been influenced more by

Jelly Roll Morton Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe (later Morton; c. September 20, 1890 – July 10, 1941), known professionally as Jelly Roll Morton, was an American ragtime and jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer. Morton was jazz's first arranger, proving that a gen ...

and

Fats Waller Thomas Wright "Fats" Waller (May 21, 1904 – December 15, 1943) was an American jazz pianist, organist, composer, violinist, singer, and comedic entertainer. His innovations in the Harlem stride style laid much of the basis for modern jazz pi ...

than

McCoy Tyner Alfred McCoy Tyner (December 11, 1938March 6, 2020) was an American jazz piano, jazz pianist and composer known for his work with the John Coltrane Quartet (from 1960 to 1965) and his long solo career afterwards. He was an NEA Jazz Masters, NEA ...

and

Bill Evans William John Evans (August 16, 1929 – September 15, 1980) was an American jazz pianist and composer who worked primarily as the leader of his trio. His use of impressionist harmony, interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, block ch ...

, with an emphasis on

ragtime Ragtime, also spelled rag-time or rag time, is a musical style that flourished from the 1890s to 1910s. Its cardinal trait is its syncopated or "ragged" rhythm. Ragtime was popularized during the early 20th century by composers such as Scott ...

and

stride piano Stride jazz piano, often shortened to stride, is a jazz piano style that arose from ragtime players. Prominent stride pianists include James P. Johnson, Willie "The Lion" Smith, Willie "the Lion" Smith, Fats Waller, Luckey Roberts, Mrs Mills a ...

rather than

bebop Bebop or bop is a style of jazz developed in the early-to-mid-1940s in the United States. The style features compositions characterized by a fast tempo, complex chord progressions with rapid chord changes and numerous changes of key, instrumen ...

. His album ''New Orleans Meets Harlem, Vol. 1'' (2009) covers music by

Scott Joplin Scott Joplin ( 1868 – April 1, 1917) was an American composer and pianist. Because of the fame achieved for his ragtime compositions, he was dubbed the "King of Ragtime." During his career, he wrote over 40 original ragtime pieces, one ra ...

Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Ellington was based ...

, Morton, and Waller. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Savannah Music Festival commissioned Roberts's first piano concerto, ''Spirit of the Blues: Piano Concerto in C Minor''. He has performed as a soloist in symphony orchestras with

Marin Alsop Marin Alsop ( �mɛər.ɪn ˈæːl.sɑːp born October 16, 1956) is an American conductor, the first woman to win the Koussevitzky Prize for conducting and the first conductor to be awarded a MacArthur Fellowship. She is music director laureate ...

(1992) and

Seiji Ozawa Seiji (written: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , or in hiragana) is a masculine Japanese given name. Notable people with the name include: *, Japanese ski jumper *, Japanese racing driver *, Japanese politician *, Japanese film directo ...

. He returned to Japan in September 2014 to share the stage with Ozawa and the Saito Kinen Festival Orchestra. In 2012, Roberts founded the band The Modern Jazz Generation, which released its first album in October 2014. It has 12 musicians ranging in age from early 20s to 50s. He served as associate artistic director for the Savannah Music Festival as well as the director of the annual Swing Central high school band competition. He is on the faculty at Florida State. In 2014, Roberts was profiled on the television show ''60 Minutes.'' Roberts received an honorary doctorate from

Brigham Young University Brigham Young University (BYU, sometimes referred to colloquially as The Y) is a private research university in Provo, Utah. It was founded in 1875 by religious leader Brigham Young and is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day ...

(BYU) for the 2021 commencement on April 22. BYU conferred upon Roberts the degree of Doctor of Civic Engagement Through Music, ''honoris causa'', for his outstanding life and contributions to society and to the world. In his address, Roberts said: "We need to take time to really see each person, especially those who don't look or act like us, because if we hold onto and build upon that thread that binds us together, our ties will become stronger, we'll develop more of a sense of communion and trust with each other". As part of his address, Roberts performed a special piano musical arrangement of the gospel hymn "

Just a Closer Walk with Thee "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" is a traditional gospel song and jazz standard that has been performed and recorded by many artists. Performed as either an instrumental or vocal, "A Closer Walk" is perhaps the most frequently played number in the ...

”. The degree conferral and address were video-recorded the previous weekend in Boston before being shown at BYU's commencement. Bard College appointed Roberts distinguished visiting professor of music for the 2020–21 academic year.

Discography

As leader/co-leader

* ''The Truth Is Spoken Here'' (

Novus Novus ("new" in Latin) may refer to: Companies * Novus Biologicals, a biotech company based in Littleton, Colorado, US * Novus Entertainment, a Canadian telecommunications company * Novus International, an animal health and nutrition company * Nov ...

, 1989) – recorded in 1988 * '' Deep in the Shed'' (Novus/Sony, 1990) – recorded in 1989 * ''Alone with Three Giants'' (Novus, 1991) * ''Prayer for Peace'' (Novus, 1991) * ''As Serenity Approaches'' (Novus, 1991) * ''If I Could Be with You'' (Novus, 1993) * ''Gershwin for Lovers'' ( Columbia, 1994) * ''Portraits in Blue'' (Columbia/Sony, 1995) * ''Time and Circumstance'' (Columbia/Sony, 1996) * ''Blues for the New Millennium'' (Columbia, 1997) * ''The Joy of Joplin'' (Sony, 1998) * ''In Honor of Duke'' (Columbia, 1999) * ''Cole after Midnight'' (Columbia/Sony, 2001) * ''A Gershwin Night'' with

and

Berlin Philharmonic The Berlin Philharmonic (german: Berliner Philharmoniker, links=no, italic=no) is a German orchestra based in Berlin. It is one of the most popular, acclaimed and well-respected orchestras in the world. History The Berlin Philharmonic was fo ...

(EuroArts Music International, 2004) VD-Video– recorded in 2003 * '' Gershwin: Piano Concerto in F'' (

Philips Classics Philips Classics Records was started in the 1980s as the new classics record label for Philips Records. It was successful with artists including Alfred Brendel, Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fi ...

, 2006) * ''New Orleans Meets Harlem, Volume 1'' (J-Master, 2009) * ''Celebrating Christmas'' (J-Master, 2011) * ''Deep in the Shed: A Blues Suite'' (J-Master, 2012) * ''From Rags to Rhythm'' (J-Master, 2013) * ''Together Again: In the Studio'' with Wynton Marsalis (J-Master, 2013) * ''Together Again: Live in Concert'' with Wynton Marsalis (J-Master, 2013) * ''Romance, Swing, and the Blues'' (J-Master, 2014) * ''The Race for the White House'' (EP) (2016) * ''Trio Crescent: Celebrating Coltrane'' (J-Master, 2017)

As sideman

With

* ''

J Mood ''J Mood'' is an album by Wynton Marsalis that won the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Jazz Performance, Individual or Group in 1987. Critical reception In a review for ''Playboy'', Robert Christgau said that Marsalis is "chief among the ...

'' (1986) – recorded in 1985 * ''

Marsalis Standard Time, Vol. I ''Marsalis Standard Time, Vol. 1'' is an album by jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis that was released in 1987. It won the Grammy Award for Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group, Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group in 1988. ...

'' (1987) – recorded in 1986 * ''

Live at Blues Alley ''Live at Blues Alley'' is an album by American singer Eva Cassidy, originally self-released in May 1996. The album was recorded live at the Blues Alley nightclub in January 1996. It was the last album recorded by Cassidy before her death in Nove ...

'' (1988) * '' The Majesty of the Blues'' (1989) – live recorded in 1986 * ''

Crescent City Christmas Card ''Crescent City Christmas Card'' is an album by jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis that was released in 1989. The album reached a peak position of number fourteen on ''Billboard'' Top Jazz Albums chart. Track listing Personnel * Wynton Marsalis ...

'' (1989) * '' Standard Time, Vol. 2: Intimacy Calling'' (1990) * '' Thick in the South: Soul Gestures in Southern Blue, Vol. 1'' (1991) * '' Uptown Ruler: Soul Gestures in Southern Blue, Vol. 2'' (1991) * '' Levee Low Moan: Soul Gestures in Southern Blue, Vol. 3'' (1991) * ''

Blue Interlude ''Blue Interlude'' is an album by the Wynton Marsalis Septet, released in 1992 by Columbia Records. Track listing All songs composed by Wynton Marsalis except where noted #"Brother Veal" #"Monologue for Sugar Cane and Sweetie Pie" #"Blue Inter ...

'' (1992) * ''

Citi Movement ''Citi Movement (Griot New York)'' is an album by jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis that was released in 1992. Track listing Personnel * Wynton Marsalis – trumpet, arranger, liner notes * Wycliffe Gordon – trombone * Wessell Anderson – ...

'' (1993) * ''Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: The Fire of the Fundamentals'' (1994) – in

Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is an American big band and jazz orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis. The Orchestra is part of Jazz at Lincoln Center, a performing arts organization in New York City. History In 1988 the Orchestra was formed a ...

* ''Jazz at Lincoln Center: They Came to Swing'' (1994) – in Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, recorded 1992-94. * ''Live at the Village Vanguard'' (1999) * ''The Marciac Suite'' (2000) * ''Swinging into the 21st'' (2011) * ''The Music of America'' (2021) With others *

Mark Whitfield Mark Whitfield (born October 6, 1966) is an American jazz guitarist. Life and career Whitfield was born in Lindenhurst, New York. He has worked with Jack McDuff, Jimmy Smith, Courtney Pine, Nicholas Payton, and Chris Botti. In 2000, Whitfiel ...

, ''The Marksman'' (1990) *

Wycliffe Gordon Wycliffe A. Gordon (born May 29, 1967) is an American jazz trombonist, arranger, composer, band leader, and music educator at the collegiate-conservatory level. Gordon also sings and plays didgeridoo, trumpet, soprano trombone, tuba, and piano. ...

Ron Westray Ronald Kenneth Westray, Jr. (born June 13, 1970 in Columbia, South Carolina) is an American jazz trombonist, composer, and educator. He holds a B.A. from South Carolina State University and a Master of Arts degree from Eastern Illinois University ...

, ''Bone Structure'' (1996) *

Marcus Printup Marcus Edward Printup (born January 24, 1967) is an American jazz trumpeter who attended the University of North Florida Jazz Studies program and went on to work with Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, and Tim ...

, ''Unveiled'' (1996) *

Béla Fleck Béla Anton Leoš Fleck (born July 10, 1958) is an American banjo player. An acclaimed virtuoso, he is an innovative and technically proficient pioneer and ambassador of the banjo, bringing the instrument from its bluegrass roots to jazz, classi ...

, '' Across the Imaginary Divide'' (2012) *

Jason Marsalis Jason Marsalis (born March 4, 1977) is an American jazz drummer, vibraphone player, composer, producer, band leader, and member of the Marsalis family of musicians. He is the youngest son of Dolores Ferdinand Marsalis and the late Ellis Marsalis ...

, ''Heirs of the Crescent City'' (2016) *

Chick Corea Armando Anthony "Chick" Corea (June 12, 1941 – February 9, 2021) was an American jazz composer, pianist, keyboardist, bandleader, and occasional percussionist. His compositions "Spain", " 500 Miles High", "La Fiesta", "Armando's Rhumba", and ...

, ''The Musician'' (Concord Jazz, 2017) CDref name="AM credits">

References

External links

Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roberts, Marcus 1963 births Living people Post-bop pianists Hard bop pianists American jazz pianists American male pianists Musicians from Jacksonville, Florida Florida State University alumni Florida State University faculty Blind musicians 20th-century American pianists 21st-century American pianists 20th-century American male musicians 21st-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians