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	Marcus Johnson : A Musical and Social Entrepreneur April 26, 2008 - Marcus Johnson is no ordinary smooth jazz pianist. Beside being a highly acclaimed musician who has already released 11 albums, he has gained academic degrees in law and business and has become a successful businessman, owning his recording company and a recording studio.


		He does not only think in business terms, but is committed to bring jazz music to all layers of society and help local musicians from various backgrounds through his recording studio to get on their feet. Johnson’s album “The Phoenix” (released in June 2007) has quickly made its way to the top of various smooth jazz charts. It is a superb piece of 11 great tracks blending contemporary jazz with urban grooves. Johnson has also recently released his latest CD entitled “Concert For A Cause” to benefit both the YMCA and the YWCA. So, it is a great pleasure to talk to a talented musician committed to serve the community generally speaking. Akbar Nour : Hello Marcus and welcome to www. smoothjazznow.com. Beside being an accomplished musician, you have graduated with both a JD and MBA from Georgetown University. What motivated you to take such a difficult path?

\Marcus Johnson : The main reason I decided to follow the path of education is based on my upbringing. My dad had is PHD by the time he was 26. My mom had her masters by the age of 24 and that was while she was taking care of my older sister. Out of my 4 sisters and 1 brother, there are three doctors and an attorney. The one sister that decided to take care of her family was just accepted into a program at Harvard Business School. So, from the time we were born, excellence was always instilled inside.

I was always intrigued by music business stories and amazed at how few musicians took the time to see that they are brands with multiple revenue streams. I always heard about “music publishing” being the end all way for musicians to make their money. I always thought that there was more. Business school and law school allowed me to explore the true inner workings of the music industry (as they were) and postulate how they would change with time.

Personally, I had some challenges and letdowns thrown my way when I first started producing. As a result, I made a promise to myself that I would do all that I could to make sure that I was on the right side of the desk-meaning the side that’s making the decisions.

Additionally, the music industry is changing faster than ever. As a matter of fact I don’t know any other industry that is in as dynamic a change as the music industry. This means that artists and the record companies have to be on the pulse at all times. My education prepares me to adapt to this ever changing landscape. Education is not “necessary,” however, I would challenge anyone to say it’s not helpful in the industry and other parts of our lives.

Akbar : While doing your undergraduate musical studies at Howard University, which key jazz figures did inspire you?

Marcus: I was inspired significantly by Bobby Lyle. I love the fluidity of his playing style and the fact that he could play Standards as well as the funkiest contemporary sounds. I also was a fan of George Duke. I liked that George could do it all and take care of the business. Quincy was another favorite of mine for the same reasons. These guys did what it took to get the music done but business was at the top of their list.

Akbar : I assume that having gained a strong business background at University helped you to stand on your feet, as you produced and distributed your own record, launched your musical career and became the CEO of Marimelj Group. Why being your own boss was it so important for you from the beginning of your career?

Marcus : It’s not necessarily being my own boss that I like. I tell you there are times when I wish someone else was my boss (smile). Owning a company is very difficult in this day, especially when competing against companies 20 times your size and with resources that well exceed yours. But as a business owner I get to try the things that come to my mind. That can be good or bad. I always tell people to do that thing in live that makes you smile between the time when you close your eyes and go to sleep because that is when you are dealing with your soul. I’ve heard the stories of too many people that had great dreams that were dashed merely by the fact that they didn’t have the decision making power – and the one that did, didn’t have vision. I think we have all been there. Even as a business owner you still have to be able to articulate your dreams down to paper in a way that allows those you are leading to see it and buy into it. Thus I figured, why not give it my own try? I can’t tell others to take control of their lives and not live by my own words. That would be hypocritical. Music and entrepreneurship are probably the closest thing to love that one can have. You live it, you dream it, it hurts in your stomach and it makes you tingle in your heart. You miss it when its gone, curse it while its by your side, but it’s your dream, your vision, your life. Why leave that to someone else?

Akbar : You have been playing wih a lot of great musicians such as Boney James, Diana Krall, Peter White, Norman Brown, to name a few. Among all these stellar musicians, who has impressed you the most?

Marcus : One of the most amazing honors I have is when I’m on the stage with Michael Phillips. It gets magical. We both just nod at each other and know that it’s on. His group has one of the best live shows that I’ve ever seen. Joey Sommerville (trumpeter-Atlanta) is awesome as well. He gets the folk up dancing and asking for more. Chris Botti is another class act. He reminds me of one of my favorite artists Sting (whom he played with for years). But from Peter White to Norman, Boney to Diana, they are all professionals who perform at their highest level every time they hit the stage. And playing or sharing the stage with each of them has been an honor.

Akbar : As already mentioned, beside being an acknowledged musician, you are also your own boss. You are the CEO of your own-created music label and co-own a studio. This is no accident, because you have a positive philosophy and a strategic vision of contributing to the community and sharing your passion of music with your peers and the people in general. Could you tell us more on it?

Marcus : When I was younger, my father always told me that if you take care of the Streets, the Streets take care of you. There is no truer statement. There have been many things in my short career that would not have been possible without the help of someone on a board that I serve on or the parent of student at a school at which I spoke. It’s just good Karma. My staff thinks I give too much of my time away, but I like giving back to the community. I like the Thank you letters we receive. To me, they are currency in and of themselves.

Akbar : Let us come now to your album “The Phoenix”, featuring 11 brilliant tracks, incorporating Go-Go grooves, a slice of Latin vibes (the smash hit “Road to Los Suenos”), contemporary jazz and R&B/funky sounds. Once it was released (June 2007), the CD was an immediate hit on radio stations and topped the charts. Why did you choose such an album title? Is this album a rebirth proof, as the phoenix regenerating from his ashes?

Marcus : I’m smiling because it is the rebirth and proof that I’m sill here doing what I do. The music industry has gone through such craziness. It has also caused people to act out in many different ways. There used to be a lot more variety in the music on the airwaves and in the different types of performers you would see on a concert. People used to actually give you a chance to prove yourself. They used to actually take risks. “The Phoenix” is about me taking a step back in that direction and going with my guts while having fun. I had the great opportunity to work with Phillip Martin, David Dyson, Tony Hemmings, and others to create a CD that I like. As you mentioned, The DC Go-Go grooves are a mainstay in my music. They will always be there. Lately I’ve been noticing my love of the latin sound fused with DC Bounce. That’s where “the Road to Los Suenos” came from (even though inspired by my trip to the Los Suenos resort in Costa Rica). So that is a new beginning in and of itself. My main reason for calling the CD “The Phoeix” is just to send a message to everyone that no matter how bad it gets, you can be like the Phoenix and rise again.

Akbar : Each employee and all artists signed at your label Three Keys Music has to devote 15 hours of community service monthly. What have been your contributions so far?

Marcus : We do a lot in the community. I speak at schools at least twice a month. I’m on the board of directors for my local Boys and Girls Club. I mentor students from Howard, Georgetown, and GW University. I also work with the Shepard’s Table which provides meals and clothing to homeless people in the Washington Metro area. The latest venture that we have is a partnership with HMS Host where we created a CD to sell at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. $1 from each cd is given to the boys and girls club of Metro Atlanta. Along with this donation, we have performed at 2 Boys and Girls clubs in Atlanta. We are planning to expand this to the top 10 markets in the US this year. I’m hoping to raise $25,000 from this effort that will be donated to our chosen organization. There are so many people with needs in the world. It just makes you feel better to see a smile or know that you have done something to change their lives for the better – and it always a learning experience for me as well. It’s the stuff they don’t teach you in business school.

Akbar : You are a well respected figure within the Afro-American community, but you manage to transcend race and nationality barriers through your music and your willingness to share the seeds of your success with the others. Who are your key models behind such an approach?

Marcus : As of today; Barak Obama (smile). I love what he is doing? He has given hope to a group of people that have been marginalized throughout time. He allows us to stick our chest out a little with pride, but Sen. Obama is giving elderly white women, marginalized white males, latinos, Young adults, etc. a place at the table. He is the manifestation of what a Kennedy and a King worked and gave their lives for. I cannot imagine being any other way. I love all people. I can’t imagine why someone would exclude me just based on my color or this or that. God is in control anyway. And although I have regular run in’s with racism and discrimination, I know that most people just want to enjoy good music and have a little hope. For that my key model is God. It doesn’t get any more inclusive than him. All are welcome ;-)

Akbar : With all this community involvement, do you still have time left for your family or are you always connected to the music world (laughs)?

Marcus : I know my wife wishes she could throw my blackberry out of the window at times ;-) I have to admit I’m addicted to it. I love what I do and my family has supported me at all levels of my career. My sister gave me money to get my first CD completed, as did my dad, and mom. So I really take my progress seriously, I have a lot of people vested in my success. But know this, I do know how to disconnect. It’s the only way one connects to their inner soul. And I have to do that regularly. It may be golf. It may be a trip to visit friends in Toronto or the Bahamas. It may just be the 15 minutes that I get to lay down before a performance. But taking time out to say thank you to your family, friends, and to the higher power always lets me know just how blessed I am – so Thank you smoothjazznow.com!

Akbar : Your latest album called "Concert For A Cause" recently came out on March 25th. You produced this CD to benefit the YMCA and YCWA. And congratulations, it debuted on # 12 on Bilborad Contemporary Jazz Chart? So, you are quite busy at this time. Any new projects on the pipeline?

Marcus : Oh yes! In “Concert for a Cause”, is a very special project for me. As I have mentioned above, we all must give back to the community. The YMCA has a great scholarship program nationwide. It allows families who are less fortunate (financially) to be able to afford to send their children to summer camp as well as aftercare. I had no idea what an effect this would have. But when you read the letters of those who we have helped, it makes it blows your mind. We have another project called Fly Away with Me ® that we produced with the company HMS Host for the Atlanta Airport. $1 from each of those CDs goes to the Boy and Girls Clubs of metro Atlanta. As we expand the project, it will benefit all of the local Boys and Girls Clubs.

As for new projects, Joey Sommerville’s “Like You Mean” will be released on May 13th 2008. I have a new DVD and studio cd that should be out in the 3rd quarter of 2008 and we are working on a new series that will be extremely hot!! Outside of the music realm we have a new technology that will be released this summer to help independent artists and labels with their marketing and a new Jazz festival: Jazz Escape-that will take place at the Club Med in Port St. Lucie Florida. It’s the only All-Inclusive in America and we are planning for a sexy event.