The Todd Marcus Jazz Orchestra with special guest Philadelphia jazz pianist Orrin Evans

Bass clarinetist/bandleader Todd Marcus and his Jazz Orchestra will play selections from their debut recording In Pursuit of the 9th Man. Comprised of many of the leading young jazz musicians of Baltimore and Washington, DC, In Pursuit of the 9th Man features original compositions that often incorporate jazz with other influences from classical to middle-eastern themes. Throughout, however, the group swings hard and features the strongly individualized soloing of each member in the ensemble.  The result is music with a great passion and sincerity - something which speaks to the essence of what jazz is all about.

The clear-cut best pianist of his time..." is how Hot House Magazine" described Philadelphia pianist Orrin Evans in 1998, praise which was echoed again in the summer of 2002.  The New York Times described the pianist as "...a poised artist with an impressive template of ideas at his command", a quality undoubtedly recognized by the legendary saxophonist Bobby Watson who engaged Evans as piano chair for his band, a position he has held for six years. Orrin has been playing with the Charles Mingus Big Band for the past three years. He has also toured with such diverse talents as the evolutionary Wallace Roney, Stefon Harris, and Antonio Hart.

Todd Marcus is critically acclaimed for expanding the language of the bass clarinet in jazz.  The bass clarinetist and composer is one of the few jazz artists worldwide to focus exclusively on use of the bass clarinet as a primary soloing instrument.  Jazz Times contributing journalist David Adler writes, “Marcus…brings a saxophonic rigor to the bass clarinet while also generating enough sonic power to front a nine-piece ensemble…With his melodic imagination and technical aptitude on an unorthodox horn, Marcus has something truly new and personal to offer.”

First exposed to jazz at the age of 20, Marcus made the switch from the more common soprano clarinet to bass clarinet and taught himself the fundamentals of jazz theory.   Despite a lack of formal jazz training, he soon began to explore composition and in 2000 began to arrange his work for a larger ensemble that would eventually evolve into the Todd Marcus Jazz Orchestra.

The Todd Marcus Jazz Orchestra grew out of an interest to combine the broader sounds of a large jazz ensemble with the extended soloing typical of a quartet.  The group's instrumentation utilizes a 6-horn front line that includes bass clarinet, alto saxophone/flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, and trombone and uses a 3-piece rhythm section of piano, bass, and drums.  Unlike a more traditional approach that allows an ensemble’s leader to play each composition’s melody, Marcus arranges his pieces in multiple movements that attempt to harness the rich array of sounds and textures offered by the band’s full horn section.  The instrumentation and the style the compositions enable the ensemble to achieve a uniquely dark and rich texture of sound.

The Todd Marcus Jazz Orchestra debut album In Pursuit of the 9th Man (Hipnotic Records) features his compositions as arranged for his band of six horns and a three-piece rhythm section.

• Todd Marcus - bass clarinet
• Tim Green - alto sax & flute
• Issa Lambson - alto sax
• Craig Alston - tenor sax
• Theljon Allen - trumpet
• Reginald Cyntje - trombone
• Jeff Reed - bass
• Eric Kennedy - drums
• Special Guest, Orrin Evans - piano

The Baltimore Museum of Art is home to an internationally renowned collection of 19th-century, modern, and contemporary art. Founded in 1914 with a single painting, the BMA today has 90,000 works of art—including the largest holding of works by Henri Matisse in the world.  Music performances and programs are provided throughout the year by various sponsors in collaboration with the museum. Check the museum's events calendar for more information.

Baltimore Chamber Jazz Society's Five at 5 Series

One of Baltimore's premiere jazz concert series, BCJS continues to program some of the finest artists in jazz today. Five at 5 presents incomparable jazz performances at The Baltimore Museum of Art. Tickets are sold for a five-concert subscription or as individual performances. For more information, please call the Chamber Jazz Society at (410) 385-5888 or visit http://www.baltimorechamberjazz.org/. 

Back by popular demand, The BMA will offer free pre-concert gallery tours that compliment each of the five concerts. Pre-registration is required for all tours and space is limited.

Jazz in the Sculpture Garden

The Baltimore Museum of Art's annual Jazz in the Sculpture Garden series features critically acclaimed national and regional jazz musicians performing outdoors in the scenic sculpture gardens. Enjoy the performances from intimate concert seating, picnic with sandwiches and snacks purchased from the outdoor bar, or make reservations for an elegant Jazz+Dinner on the terrace of Gertrude’s restaurant. Relax in the cool shade of the BMA’s sculpture garden. Enjoy the company of your friends. Take in the clear, sweet sounds of jazz.

All Concerts begin at 7:00pm - Doors open at 6:30pm

Children 12 & under are free, but due to limited seating, tickets are required. For assistance purchasing child tickets, please contact the BMA Box Office at 443-573-1701 during museum hours. Sorry, no refunds or exchanges. In the event of rain, concerts are held in the BMA Meyerhoff auditorium. Please call the Box Office at 443-573-1701 after 3 pm for an update.

Jazz+Dinner

For an extra-special evening reserve a Jazz+Dinner ticket from Gertrude's for an elegant three-course dinner overlooking the Sculpture Gardens.
Members $63
General Public $70
Includes one ticket and three-course dinner.

In the event of an indoor concert, Jazz+Dinner ticket holders must call Gertrude’s at 410-889-3399 to make reservations for indoor seating or to obtain a rain check.

Media sponsors are City Paper, WEAA 88.9 FM, and WYPR 88.1 FM.

The BMA is located on Art Museum Drive at North Charles and 31st Streets, three miles north of Baltimore's Inner Harbor in the neighborhood of Charles Village.

For more detailed driving directions, public transportation and parking information:

http://www.artbma.org/visit/gettinghere.html