MUSINGS WITH MARLONIUS #3 "Freedom with Marlonius"

MARLONIUS, aka Marlon Martinez (they/he), is a virtuoso bassist and composer in Los Angeleswho has toured with rock icon Stewart Copeland, classical trailblazers Quatuor Ebène and currently with experimental music collective Wild Up. Marlonius studied classical music at the Colburn Conservatory of Music, jazz bass in New York City with the legendary Ron Carter, and is a protégé of the jazz bass visionary Stanley Clarke. An active studio bassist in Hollywood, Marlonius has recorded for John Powell, Michael Giacchino, Anthony Parnther and Justin Hurwitz.Marlonius is a prominent advocate of the queer jazz icon Billy Strayhorn, and they are considered an authority and educator on Strayhorn's music. Marlonius spoke at the Library Of Congress in 2023 at the Strayhorn Symposium: Known and Unknown. Marlonius is the creator of the video series Ever Up and Onward: A Tribute To Strayhorn, and it is featured on the Great American Songbook Foundation's dedication to Billy Strayhorn for his induction to their songwriter Hall of Fame. In 2025 Marlonius co-produced and co-wrote The Strayhorn Sessions, Vol. 1, the debut album of Bay Area LGBTQ+ collective FAGJAZZ.Marlonius is the creator, composer and Artistic Director of their 17-piece big band Marlonius Jazz Orchestra. An emerging force in LA's music scene, MJO opened for Stanley Clarke and Hiromi at BroadStage in 2023. Marlonius Jazz Orchestra awaits a summer 2026 release of their debut album, produced by Stanley Clarke and featuring vocal-extraordinaire Olivia Kuper Harris.

Marlonius - acoustic bass Violet Hill - violin/pedals/voice/percussion Lorin Benedict - voice Jake Chapman - piano/vibraphone Tim Rachbach - drums

This is a Private Event. A portion of proceeds goes to: Wild Up