Marcus Roberts Transcriptions

Biography of Marcus Roberts

Marcus Roberts is an American jazz pianist and composer, a protege of Wynton Marsalis, whose work is celebrated for masterfully fusing jazz improvisation with the classical tradition, particularly through his innovative reinterpretations of George Gershwin's orchestral works. He pioneered a revolutionary, egalitarian approach to the jazz trio where all musicians share equally in shaping the music's direction, and his 1996 album Portraits in Blue was among the first to fully integrate jazz improvisation within a classical orchestral setting. A dedicated educator, he serves as a professor at Florida State University, mentors young musicians through his band The Modern Jazz Generation, and has been recognized with numerous honors including a Helen Keller Achievement Award.