Pianist Marcus Roberts, originally from Jacksonville, FL, is often hailed as “the genius of the modern piano." He is known throughout the world for his many contributions to jazz music as well as his commitment to integrating the jazz and classical idioms to create something wholly new. Roberts’ melodic and soulful group improvisational style uses musical cues and exotic rhythms as the foundation for his modern approach to the jazz trio. This trio with renowned drummer, Jason Marsalis, who has held the drum chair for the past 30 years, is known the world over for its unique jazz style and philosophy. The trio was joined by a great young bassist, Marty Jaffe, in 2022. Jaffe’s style fits this trio perfectly due to his deep sense of groove, and rich and lyrical sound.

Roberts was self-taught until age 12 when he had his first piano lesson at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. He later studied classical piano at Florida State University with the great Leonidas Lipovetsky. Over the years, Roberts has won numerous awards and competitions, including the Helen Keller Award for Personal Achievement. Most recently, in 2024, he received the prestigious Dorothy and David Dushkin Award by the Music Institute of Chicago as well as a special emerging technology award from the Doris Duke Foundation.

Roberts’ recordings include solo piano, duets, trio, large ensembles and symphony orchestra. His first recording with orchestra (Portraits in Blue, Sony Classical, 1996) featured his innovative arrangement of Rhapsody in Blue”and was nominated for a Grammy. In 2003, he recorded Rhapsody in Blue and his groundbreaking arrangement of Gershwin’s Concerto in F for Piano and Orchestra (A Gershwin Night, EuroArts 2003) with the Berlin Philharmonic under the baton of the brilliant conductor, Seiji Ozawa. He has completed multiple additional recordings since that time.

In addition to his genius as a performer, Roberts is also an accomplished composer. He has received numerous commissioning awards including two piano concertos, works for chamber orchestra and jazz ensembles of various sizes. In 2022, Roberts and his trio were featured on a recording by violinist Daniel Hope entitled America. In addition, Roberts has written numerous original arrangements for jazz and orchestra. His orchestral arrangements include works by George Gershwin, Duke Ellington and others. His most recent arrangement entitled Yamekraw by James P. Johnson is being premiered this weekend by the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. For that work, Roberts included his trio as well as his newest ensemble called the “Modern Jazz Generation” which was founded in 2013. This multigenerational band is the realization of his long-standing dedication to training and mentoring younger musicians. Several MJG members will join the Pops this weekend for the premier of Roberts’ new arrangement of Yamekraw. The woodwinds include Boyce Griffith on alto saxophone, Joe Goldberg on tenor saxophone and clarinet, and Tissa Khosla on baritone. Joining the orchestra in the brass section will be Etienne Charles, Tim Blackmon, and Jianni Lazaga on trumpet along with Rashaan Salaam on trombone.

Finally, Marcus Roberts is a Professor of Music at the Florida State University College of Music and a Distinguished Professor of Music at Bard College. He holds honorary doctoral degrees from The Juilliard School, Brigham Young University, and Bard College.