Marcus Johnson
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Bio
During the past decade, Johnson has developed a reputation as a stellar showman, wowing audiences with his emotive displays of keyboard dexterity, while mixing his jazzy beats with R&B, go-go, Latin funk, salsa and a sip of hip hop. It’s an unbridled genre that has allowed him to cultivate both mature smooth jazz fans as well as the younger urban-contemporary audiences. The young mogul began studying both contemporary and traditional jazz through high school and Howard University. While at Georgetown University, Johnson independently produced and distributed his own album, Lessons in Love (1997), which sold 40,000 units. During the next decade, Johnson would release over nine more critically-acclaimed and Billboard chart topping albums.
About
Discography:
Marcus Johnson and Poetically Justified:
Poetically Justified marks Johnson’s eleventh solo jazz record and is Johnson’s most unique and multifaceted album to date. His experience and passion provide the perfect platform for this newest musical masterpiece, best described as a combination of smooth urban jazz with a slice of funk.
Poetically Justified is introduced with musical force in the funky opener “Chillaxin” which emphatically sets the tone for this CD and follows with two in-the- pocket jamming upbeat tracks -- “Capice” lead by the signature voice of hit R&B vocalist Miles Jaye, and “I See You” featuring Grammy winner jazz saxophonist Najee. “Master of My Heart” is lead by the sultry vocal stylings of Incognito’s Maysa, and is a beautiful romantic ballad produced by Johnson and Raheem Davaughn producer, Robbie McDonald. This song is currently in heavy rotation on adult contemporary radio WHUR in Washington, DC. These four songs set us up for an explosive journey that continues with some great original tracks – Danni’s Song; the bouncy staccato horn driven Ellicott City; the beautifully produced and performed “Cherish the Journey” and Maysa’s upeat performance on “Hold On”. Johnson’s admirers will adore the snazzy cover of John Legend’s smash hit “Used to Love You” and his funky cover of Michael Jackson’s hit “This Place Hotel”, the lead single for smooth jazz radio and Floetry’s “Say Yes”. Miles Jaye returns to the listener in the album’s closing number, with the top Billboard single, “Heaven” from Jaye’s acclaimed record, Irresistible.
Prior to the release of Poetically Justified Johnson’s most recent project was the groundbreaking Billboard Top 15 Contemporary Jazz FLO series. The series consisted of three distinct albums released simultaneously in September 2008, – FLO: Chill (#7), FLO: Romance, (#7) and FLO: Standards (#2). Johnson’s previous 2007 solo release, The Phoenix, was widely lauded by jazz critics and aficionados alike. Just as with Johnson’s 10 previous albums, The Phoenix peaked at #6 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz charts.
Johnson’s educational background compliments his career success story as both an artist and entrepreneur. While pursuing both a JD and MBA at Georgetown University, Johnson independently produced and distributed his first album in 1997, Lessons in Love. The album went on to sell 40,000 units – unprecedented for an unknown artist’s debut release. Lessons in Love helped Johnson launch his career as a jazz musician and the CEO of Marimelj Entertainment Group LLC (MEG).
During the next decade, Johnson would release several critically-acclaimed albums: Inter Alia, Chocolate City Groovin’, Coming Back Around, Urban Groove, In Person: Live@ Blues Alley; Just Doing What I Do, Smooth Jazz Christmas, and In Concert For a Cause, all of which charted at Top 20 or more on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Charts.
Over the course of his career, Johnson has shared the stage with many music legends including BB King, Boney James, Kim Waters, Peabo Bryson, Dr. Billy Taylor, Diana Krall, Erykah Badu, Peter White, Miles Jaye, Rick Braun, Norman Brown, Chaka Khan, Arturo Sandoval, Chuck Mangione, Marion Meadows, Rachelle Ferrell, Mike Phillips, George Duke and Jeffrey Osborne. Having performed at many of the world’s most famous festivals and venues, Johnson’s resume boasts appearances at The Capital Jazz Fest, Bermuda Jazz Fest, Trenton Jazz Festival, Philadelphia’s Dell East, Atlantic Artscape, Huntington Beach Jazz Fest, The National Smooth Jazz Awards and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to name a few.
Marcus Johnson intends to bring his love of jazz to the masses, a challenge others might see as too daunting. His ambition, ideas and love of music are the rock on which he stands, raising the art of jazz to the upper echelon of the music industry. Poetically Justified is a brilliant compilation of contemporary smooth jazz with a definitive urban groove, a work of mastery from one of the Jazz world’s greatest.
The Music Business Professor:
One of the most important aspects of his career is the ability to give back and share his experiences with others. The music industry is a very complex industry and Marcus has charged himself with the responsibility to educate others who share his passion for music and the industry.
Marcus is excited to bring to you a lecture series where he will offer valuable insight into the ever-evolving music industry. Key topics include, but not limited to: Music Publishing, Production, A&R, Copyrights and Intellectual Property Law, Independent Artists, and Digital Distribution.
The first lecture will be held on Friday, March 6, 2009 at 7:30 PM EST. The first lecture topic is on marketing and branding your music through traditional and non traditional methods. If you are interested in option 1 or 2, please send an email to musiceducation@threekeys.c
Option 1: You can enjoy the lecture face-to-face with Marcus at his recording studio in Silver Spring, MD. You'll have the opportunity to interact with Marcus before and after the lecture. (Space is limited to 12 people). For the in-studio participants, you'll get to choose a Marcus Johnson CD and have it signed by Marcus Johnson. Price: $35.00
Option 2: For those people who are not in the Metro DC area, you can view the lecture through online streaming in real-time. You'll have the opportunity to participate in the lecture through chat room capabilities. (Space is limited to 100 viewers) Price: $25.00
Marcus Johnson has released more than 10 CDs, all charting at Top 20 or more on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Chart. The latest being his FLO Series. FLO: Romance, FLO: Chill, and FLO: Standards all charted in the Top 15. With over 15 years as a musician, his music has been widely lauded by jazz critics and aficionados. From his first independent release Lessons in Love (1997) to The Phoenix (2007) and In Concert For A Cause (2008), Marcus Johnson has generated loyal fans from around the world and garnered respect from his peers in the industry.
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