Marcus Robson

I was born by the river..., in a little town called Natchez Mississippi. Raised on the South Side of Chicago since I was less than a year old. Attended CVS high school (class of 1981) where I played Electric and Acoustic Bass in the Orchestra under Dr. Joseph Miller. Me and Darryl Jones (the Rolling Stones, Miles, e.t.c.) held down the Bass section. Also kicking butt was Michael Brown(Ringling Bros Circus Bassist) and Derrick "Dayrock" Bass. I Started playing professional at the age of 16 at Von Freemans "The Apartment lounge" on Chicago's southside with Sax man Howard Bell and Drummer Brady Williams . I wasnt old enough to be in there so they tried to hide me behind a music stand. lol At age 17 Started a regular gig at "The Back Room" (on rush street) where I played Bass for the late great Keisha Brown. A few years went by and I decided to attend the American Conservatory of Music. They had a really kick ass Jazz department back in the day when Greg Shearer,Bill Harrison,Jack Mouse,Brad Sturtz,Art Davis,Frank Portaleese and The late great Frank Mantooth were over it. Met some real great cats there. I started a regular gig at "The Jazz Bulls"with Local Chicago legend Ken Chaney(Keyboardist) around 1986-1988. We were one of the first Black Jazz groups to ever tour Singapore for 3 months in 1986. There was Duke Payne on sax, Dee Alexander(vocals) and Terry Morrisette on Drums. I then went on to do some cruise ship gigs in the Bahamas and Hawaii until around 1990. I realy kept busy after this time playing almost every club in and around Chicago with such musical talents as keyboardist Reginald T. MCcants, Theodis Rodgers, Jazz Guitarist Phil Upchurch Sr. Sugar Blue, Bobby Hutton, Bethany Pickens, M-Doc Williams, Keith Henderson and many, many others. In 1994 I Toured with R&B Legend R-Kelly playing both electric Bass and Bass Keyboards. I also was doing spot tours with R&B vocal sensation Chantay Savage("I will survive","Betcha Never find") around this time also. Also worked with Vanessa Williams (Formerly Miss America). I then worked with Carmen Stokes (Jazz Pianist)with whom I also so did another Singapore tour for 4 months in 1995 with Oscar Seaton(Lionel Richie, George Benson) holding down the Drums in 1995. Upon returning from Singapore I jumped back on my regular gig with Comedian/Actor "Bernie Mac" who had a variety show. We went on to record an entire season on HBO called "Midnight Mac" in 1995. We also took this tour on the road for another 4 years. I got to lay down the Bass night after night for such greats as Chaka Khan, George Duke, Sheila E, Vesta Williams, Roy Ayers, Ronnie Laws, Brian Mcknight, Art Porter, Brown Stone, Rachelle Farrell and many others. We also perfomed for Prince at his personal request at his Glam Slam night club with the Bernie Mac group called the "Mac Men" for "The most beautiful girl in the world" contest. - and no I didn't win! lol -(Got to meet and hang out with the Purple man himself at his Paisley Park Studio!) I also got a chance to open the stage for other such greats as Miles Davis (last Chicago gig), David Sanborn, The Average White Band, FishBone. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ramsey Lewis, Jody Wadley, Levert and Tito Puente. Currently I'm producing other artist and finally working on a solo Bass CD project.