Marcus Anderson

By Ken Capobianco

MULTI-TALENTED SAXOPHONIST MARCUS

ANDERSON is one of smooth jazz’s more dynamic entertainers. With 13 solo records to his credit, the versatile artist and former member of Prince’s New Power Generation horn section is a father of two daughters (Laila, 10, and Karson, 12). He’s also the proprietor of his own private coffee brand, AND Coffee. When asked about the current protests, Anderson expressed optimism about the possibility of seeing a real change that will bring a better tomorrow for his children.

“We are definitely at a turn, but how long that turn is going to take is tough to say. We also don’t know in what direction we are turning, but it’s happening,” he said by phone from his North Carolina home. “The change is not going to happen like turning a switch on toward illumination. If you turn a light on in a dark room, and find a mess, it’s going to take awhile to clean that mess up. Now we see what is happening. ‘Oh my God, what a mess. OK, where do we start?’ Police brutality? Ourselves? Our neighbors or our co-workers? It all has to be handled at the same time but inch by inch. If the change doesn’t come, then you’ll see what has happened throughout history—the people taking things into their own hands.”

He is encouraged by what he has seen happening over the past few years, which portends a more rapid evolution than expected. “For all the generations who lived through the years where racism was prevalent,

continued on page 20

Photo: Miranda Jackson Photography

continued from page 19 well, for a lot of people that was part of their culture, so racism and prejudice became the culture. But that culture has drastically changed over the past five years. You see a change in attitude toward Black rights, gay rights, trans rights. So, I don’t think it’s going to take as long as 20 years for real change like before. People are becoming more conscious and aware of what they say and what they do.”

Anderson, whose new funky album of original material, HERO, is one of 2020’s finer jazz albums, said his personal experiences might be different from most African Americans because he is a musician. But he still has experienced racial inequities

throughout his life. “This doesn’t affect me as a musician because I believe people in entertainment get special treatment, and it builds a false perception of reality and life sometimes, so perhaps a musician may not witness some of the discrimination and prejudice as much as other people.

“Now, that’s not to say we don’t witness it as African Americans, but it’s slightly different. If I’m known as a successful saxophone player who owns successful businesses, my treatment from people is going to be different than an average African American who is not known. It’s sad to say, but that’s how it is. I will say that recently, I’ve noticed there’s a difference in how people greet each other now.”

He added that he has experienced obstacles in the music industry, especially in the years he was trying to build his brand. “I’ve been doing what I do for years. I play saxophone, bass guitar, piano, flute, [and] I dance. I sing at all my shows, and I was often told, ‘I don’t think you have what we need for our festival.’ I’ve been told, ‘we have enough African American artists in our festival. We need more diversity.’”

He took a moment to contemplate his words. “It confuses me. I’m bringing one of the best shows you’ve had at your festival, so how don’t I fit? After the education I got from Prince, having to play four-hours straight in a club and having colleagues tell me

I put on a great show, but then festivals tell me, if they are going to have me, they are only going to offer me half of what they are offering a white artist. I know what other artists get paid. We talk. It’s just not right.”

Anderson, who recently took over Dave Koz’s social media platform to discuss race-relations at the request of the smooth jazz superstar, said he speaks to his daughters to give them a better perspective and context for what is happening.

“I had a discussion with my oldest daughter, who is still trying to make sense of things. She doesn’t know how to process it just yet. I think I did three segments on Dave’s platform—and I had guests on throughout the day. I had my daughter come on. I asked her to explain how she felt. She said she just didn’t understand why everyone can’t get along and people can’t be treated equally. We had told her about racism, but she never really experienced it, so it’s hard for her to fathom it.

“After the interview, we were in the car and she said, ‘I don’t understand the bad apple syndrome. You mentioned you don’t believe all police officers are bad, and it’s just a few bad apples, but how can you have two or three bad officers in a group of 10, but you can’t have bad surgeons or pilots?’ She didn’t understand how surgeons can be held accountable and needed to be good but police officers aren’t. It’s a lot for her to grasp.”

The upbeat and talkative Anderson feels that white people who want to effect change should reflect, read about Black history, and learn to listen more. “People need to educate themselves. They can’t run from their past, where their ancestors may be involved. It might be uncomfortable to see pictures or film of police officers spraying African Americans with firehoses or committing acts of violence or photos of Emmett Till.

“We think we are past those days, but we aren’t that far. What’s happening in 2020 to African Americans happened in 1960 and beyond. We’ve had three hangings of Black men in California recently. It’s not the past.”

“We think we are past those days, but we aren’t that far. What’s happening in 2020 to African Americans happened in 1960 and beyond. We’ve had three hangings of Black men in California recently. It’s not the past.”

For more information on Anderson, visit https://www.marcusanderson.net.

EARNEST WALKER JR.

• IFATOBA

(IFATOBA MUSIC LLC)

Celebrating 20 years since the release of his acclaimed album Raindrops in the Sun, versatile independent saxophonist Earnest Walker Jr. gets back in the groove big time with his highly anticipated album, whose title, IFATOBA, is as exotic, compelling and bold as the eclectic multi-faceted music itself. AvAilAble At: https://earnestwalkerjr.com, www.amazon.com, Apple Music, iTunes, www.spotify.com, www.cdbaby.com, and many more Website: https://earnestwalkerjr.com

MARCUS ANDERSON

• HERO

(Anderson Music)

Marcus Anderson’s 13th album, HERO, features 13 original compositions, which is the quintessential soundtrack of our lives with a common thread of inspiration, perseverance, passion and resilience. Also serving as the soundtrack to his new venue, the musician superhero’s comic and motion graphic animation “The Creatives,” HERO takes the listener on a musical journey through themes of light and darkness and the quest for meaning in an often-chaotic world.

Melding a wide range of musical styles with a natural grace, HERO evokes, but never imitates, the many legendary artists who have influenced Anderson’s compositions. AvAilAble At: iTunes, www.amazon.com, https://play.google. com/, www.apple.com/apple-music, www.spotify.com, and http://tidal.com Website: www.marcusanderson.net (where autographed CDs are available)

64MERLOT

• After Hours

(Jazz Head Entertainment)

When you’re not ready to call it a night, After Hours is the perfect nightcap. The debut CD from 64merlot features 12 new songs. The music is smooth, soothing and relaxing, yet also quite energetic and challenging, revealing the diverse edge and the skillful production approach.

The release features an incredible array of different sounds and influences, from funk-driven slap bass parts to dreamy electric piano tones and cutting drums. The creative vision of this release is incredibly broad and refreshing. AvAilAble At: iTunes, www.cdbaby.com, www.amazon.com, and https://jazzheadentertainment.com Website: https://jazzheadentertainment.com

ISAAC EDWARDS

• “Bird Rock” single

(Songs in My Pocket Music)

“Bird Rock” is the latest single from saxophonist Isaac Edwards. The funky new single follows Edwards’ critically acclaimed album Begin Again from 2019. “Bird Rock” is guaranteed to keep your toes tapping and your head nodding. The single was mixed by hitmaker Darren Rahn and mastered by Steve Hall. AvAilAble At: iTunes, www.cdbaby.com, www.amazon.com, www.spotify.com, and other online music retailers Website: https://isaacedwardsmusic.com