US Jazz / r&b bass player and producer, born th June, in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A. a credited for playing wind instruments a credited for playing strings at m a has a Written-By credit on an UK electronic release from a got a Written-By credit on an US hip hop release from Marcus embarked on a string of session work with artists including Bernard Wright, Tom Browne , Charles Earland and eventually Luther Vandross. He has also written, produced and recorded for Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, David Sanborn, Bernard Wright, Steven Dante, Roberta Flack, the late Grover Washington and Joe Sample among many others.
Marcus has been the recipient of several awards including two Grammy Awards - for Best Rhythm & Blues Song, "Power of Love/Love Power" , and for Best Contemporary Jazz Album "M2".
Featured artist in the Monk Institute 2014 All-Star Gala honoring Bill Clinton along with Herbie Hancock , Wayne Shorter , DeeDee Bridgewater, Vinnie Colaiuta , Jimmy Heath, Chaka Khan , Queen Latifah , Pharrell Williams , Taj Mahal , John Mayer, Dianne Reeves , and other guests including Quincy Jones , Thelonious Monk Jr. , Terence Blanchard , Randy Brecker , Don Cheadle , Roy Hargrove , Goldie Hawn , Arturo Sandoval , Kevin Spacey , Billy Dee Williams and others. (November 9, 2014).
Marcus appears in the official Robert Glasper music video "I Stand Alone" with Common , Don Cheadle , Greg Phillinganes , Gregory Porter , Dianne Reeves , Christian Scott , Trombone Shorty , Patrick Stump and others.
Marcus, along with Stanley Clarke , Boney James and John Burk, was one of the producers of Al Jarreau s tribute CD "My Old Friend" celebrating the music of George Duke. The CD debuted at #1 on the Billboard Jazz chart. (August 2014).
Marcus was a co-host of the annual Red Cross Ball in Monaco (August 2014).
Marcus was the featured guest in a live chat on iRock Jazz (June 18, 2014).
Marcus was a guest speaker at the Hollywood Walk of Fame induction ceremony for his friend and colleague Luther Vandross (June 3, 2014).
Featured artist in the UNESCO International Jazz Day all-star concert in Osaka, Japan (April 2014).
Recipient of the Edison Jazz Lifetime Achievement Award.
Recipient of the Radio 6 Soul and Jazz ICON Award.
He was appointed a UNESCO Artist for Peace and he serves as a spokesperson for the UNESCO Slave Route Project (July 2013).
Featured artist in the UNESCO International Jazz Day all-star concert in Istanbul, Turkey (April 2013).
His 2012 CD "Renaissance" debuted at #1 on the Billboard Jazz chart.
Featured artist in the UNESCO International Jazz Day all-star concert in New York City (April 2012).
Recipient of the IFPI Gold Record for his CD "Tutu Revisited".
Voted best Electric Bass player in the 2012 annual JazzTimes readers poll.
Voted best Electric Bass player in the 2011 DownBeat annual readers poll.
Voted best Electric Bass player in the 2010 JazzTimes annual readers poll.
Marcus wrote an article about his friend and colleague, guitarist Hiram Bullock, for JazzTimes Magazine (March 2009).
Marcus has worked with David Sanborn on several of his records over the years. Those records have won 5 Grammy Awards, and 7 have been certified Gold by the RIAA.
Lives in Los Angeles, California.
Voted Bassist of the year by the readers of Bass Player magazine.
Has played on, co-produced and/or contributed arrangements to most of Luther Vandross albums including the multi-platinum, Grammy Award winning CD "Power of Love" and Grammy Award winning song "Power of Love/Love Power".
Marcus is a multi-instrumentalist with recording credits including electric bass, acoustic bass, fretless bass, bass clarinet, clarinet, clavinet, drum programming, drums, guitar, handclapping, keyboards, organ, piano, scratching, shaker, sitar, soprano saxophone, synths, tambourine, tenor saxophone, triangle, udu, background vocals, and more.
Has four children.
Former member of The Jamaica Boys. Their biggest hit was the song, "Shake It Up!" (Reprise 21463) featured in House Party . It peaked at #11 on Billboards R&B charts.
Voted best Electric Bass player in the 1987 DownBeat annual readers poll.
Composed and arranged the Grammy Award winning Miles Davis CD "Tutu".
Early in his recording career when he did a lot of session work, Marcus won the "Most Valuable Player" award, (awarded by NARAS to recognize studio musicians) three years in a row and was subsequently awarded "player emeritus" status and retired from eligibility.
Graduated from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.
Cousin of legendary jazz pianist Wynton Kelly.
Marcus and Reginald Hudlin teamed up to present The Academy Celebrates the Black Movie Soundtrack at the Hollywood Bowl with special guests including John Beasley , Bilal, Kris Bowers, Louis Cato , Lauren Connelly , Anthony Hamilton , Lalah Hathaway , En Vogue , Maya Rudolph and Gretchen Lieberum , Flavor Flav , Public Enemy , Melvin Ragin aka Wah Wah Watson, Craig Robinson , Ramon Yslas and many others along with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra conducted by Vincent Mendoza..
Marcus sat in with Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra on David Letterman (March 16, 2015).
Featured artist in the UNESCO International Jazz Day all-star concert in Paris, France (April 2015).
"Afrodeezia" debuted at #1 on the iTunes jazz chart (March 18, 2015).
Marcus was elected to the Board of Directors of ASCAP, to serve a two year term beginning on April 1, 2015.
"Afrodeezia" debuted at #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart (March 27, 2015).
Marcus was interviewed by legendary radio personality Pat Prescott on 94.7 the WAVE in Los Angeles to promote "the Academy Celebrates the Black Movie Soundtrack" at the Hollywood Bowl (August 2014).
Marcus worked with Sire Guitars to develop the Sire Marcus Miller M3 and V7 jazz basses, high quality and versatile instruments at affordable prices. (March 2015).
Marcus worked with Dunlop to develop the Marcus Miller Super Bright Bass Strings (January 2015).
His 2015 CD "Afrodeezia" was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. (December 7, 2015).
Recipient of the Victoire de France Award.
Counts musician Ralph MacDonald as a major influence.
One of the rare musicians who has worked with both Frank Sinatra and Billy Idol.
Served as a mentor at the Montreux Jazz Academy.
Marcus was featured in GQ Istanbul.
Featured artist in the UNESCO International Jazz Day all-star concert in Havana, Cuba (April 2017).
NAACP Image Award nominee Outstanding Jazz Album "Renaissance".
