7-9 pm Sunday, September 21, 2025
Sydnor Performance Hall, University of Lynchburg Schewel Hall
(Corner of College and Vernon streets, Lynchburg, VA)
Todd Marcus, bass clarinetist
Virginia MacDonald, clarinetist
Tim Brey, piano
Blake Meister, bass
Eric Kennedy, drums
Sydnor Performance Hall, University of Lynchburg Schewel Hall
(Corner of College and Vernon streets, Lynchburg, VA)
Todd Marcus, bass clarinetist
Virginia MacDonald, clarinetist
Tim Brey, piano
Blake Meister, bass
Eric Kennedy, drums
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Todd Marcus
Todd Marcus is one of the few artists worldwide to focus on the bass clarinet as a main instrument in modern jazz with his small and large ensembles. His straight-ahead playing and compositions swing with fiery intensity balanced with delicate introspection. Self-taught in jazz, his music offers a strong melodic sensibility, draws from elements of his community work, and often incorporates the Middle Eastern influences of his Egyptian-American heritage. Based in Baltimore, Marcus leads ensembles from 2-10 musicians featuring his original compositions and jazz standards and The New York Times writes, “Mr. Marcus is probably the most inventive bass clarinetist working in straight-ahead jazz today…[and] lives in Baltimore, where he is a guiding light on the city’s jazz scene who doubles as an activist and organizer.” Marcus has released six albums and worked with other jazz artists such as Gary Bartz, Bennie Maupin, Don Byron, Ralph Peterson, Warren Wolf, Sean Jones, and Orrin Evans. His performances include national and international touring including the 2023 International Clarinet Association Summit, 2017 Jazz Tales Festival in Egypt, 2015 Cairo Jazz Festival in Egypt, and in 2005 at the 1st World Bass Clarinet Convention in Rotterdam, Holland. |
Virginia MacDonald
Juno Award-nominated clarinetist Virginia MacDonald has established herself as a rising star of her generation with for her lyrical and soulful clarinet playing. As a highly in-demand bandleader, sidewoman, and composer, Virginia regularly performs across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Virginia has performed at jazz festivals globally including the Detroit Jazz Festival, Rochester Jazz Festival, Jaipur Jazz & Blues Festival, Toronto Jazz Festival, and Montreal Jazz Festival plus prestigious international venues including Koerner Hall, Ronnie Scott’s, Birdland, Smalls, Le Duc Des Lombards and the International Clarinet Association’s 50th anniversary ClarinetFest. In 2020, Virginia was selected as the first-prize winner of the International Clarinetist Corona Competition and has recorded and performed with esteemed artists including Michael Dease, Ira Coleman, Harold Mabern, Geoffrey Keezer, Rodney Whitaker, Xavier Davis, Quincy Davis, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Bill Cunliffe, Randy Napoleon, Derrick Gardner, Kirk MacDonald, Pat Labarbera, Neil Swainson, and Terry Clarke. |
To view a Todd Marcus‘ performance, click on link below:
TICKETS
- FREE to University of Lynchburg (UL) affiliated students, faculty, staff, & alumni; however donations are appreciated.
- FREE VCA-VDH WIC Passport tickets
- $20 Non-UL affiliated ADULTS
- $10 Non-UL affiliated STUDENTS.
- Pay at door: cash or checks only; doors open 45 minutes prior to performance.
- Pay Online: Reserve a ticket with credit card via Eventbrite by using the button below.
The Todd Marcus Quintet is presented by Amherst Glebe Arts Response (AGAR) in collaboration with the Lynchburg Arts Consortium of the University of Lynchburg.
The Todd Marcus Quintet performance is made possible with the support of Jazz Road, a national initiative of South Arts, which is funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation with additional support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
