 Aloha, and welcome to this episode of the Hawaii Smooth Jazz Connection. I am your host, Wendell Harris. My guest today is a musician, writer, and producer who wrote his first song at the age of eight. By the time he was in eighth grade, he was already being pursued by colleges for his musical ingenuity. He has shared the stage with and for some notable household names. I am happy to have him here with me today on the show. Welcome, soul jazz saxophonist, Mr. Marcus Adams, to the show. Aloha Marcus, how are you? I am great. I am great. Thank you for having me. I'm happy to be here. I am so glad you are here with me. We just talked before coming on the air. The time difference, so it's nine o'clock where you are? Yes, it's about six. I am. So it's nine o'clock PM, it's my bedtime. Yes, well, I thank you so much for being here with me today. Now, let's just jump right on into this. How did you get started into music? Well, I have a musical family, first and foremost. Dad sings, mom sings. I'm the eldest of six siblings we all sing and play different instruments, but I got started me personally by writing music. I started writing songs at the early age of eight years old. So that's how I kind of got involved in music. I started writing songs, music, you know, or should I say songs by the age, at the age of eight. That's how I kind of jumped into things. Wow. And then, as I said in the opening, by the time you were in the eighth grade, colleges are pursuing you? You know, I am originally from Greenwood, Mississippi, so in the south bands are a huge thing. You know, if you go to any of the HBCUs, the bands are really big, so it was the cool thing. That's a picture of me that actually I was in band right there in Mississippi. And if you know anything about the bands, they're huge and so I was big in the band. And I remember vividly in the eighth grade, Mississippi Valley State University, the band director came to my school, heard me play and he said to me, young man, all you have to do is graduate. There is a scholarship waiting for you to graduate. That is so true about down south in the bands because I don't know if you know, but I went to a HBC, I went to Hampton University and I was in the band, I was in the band at Hampton University and it's real, it's really big. It's a big thing. The marching bands are really big. Yeah, the pep rallies, the homecoming games, you know, the bands are huge, you know, so that's how I started. Now how many instruments do you play because you are a multi-instrumentalist? I am. I can play vividly three instruments. I can tinker with about four or five, but I can play vividly three instruments. A lot of people don't know, but a lot of the music that you hear on my CD, that's all me. That's all me playing everything, you know, from the piano to the strings to arrangement. That's all me. Wow. Yeah. Wow. Now what's your favorite genre of music to play? I know the genre does, but what other genres do you like to play? I am a big, for lack of words, I would say, of course, gospel. I love gospel, I mean, like gospel music. And to be honest with you, the older or more traditional the gospel music is, it is more favorable to me. Like I am like the gospel old time quartets or stuff like that. And the reason why is because there were no, I mean, we're talking analog, you know what I mean, two track, reel-to-reel type of music and those guys and ladies could really sing. And so I'm a fan of very organic music, whatever it is, I'm a fan of just music that really showcases the depth of talent of a person. Nice. Now, people, some people may not know this, but you are a math teacher. Right? Yes. Now, my question for you with this is because you're a musician and you're a math teacher. So how does that work? Do you ever, do your students ever, like they see you out or they see you performing or they see you in a festival like, that's my teacher. Do they ever do that? You know, I mean, a number of the students follow me on social media. I have played at the school a number of times that I teach that. And so the students are very aware of what I do outside of school and they're very supportive. I mean, it's like, you know, they still treat me like Mr. Adams, the math teacher, but they are, they are aware of what I do on other stages. Yeah, and they think it's cool. Well, I think, I think it's cool. I think it's cool as well. Now, growing up again, who are your, who are your musical influences growing up? So I'll say probably the first time I heard Chicago song by David Sam, by David Sanborn. My life changed. That was probably my introduction to jazz. But the baptism was Chick Korea electric band, light years, that CD. There were so many things going on musically inside of me when I first heard light years that I could even comprehend all of what I was hearing. There were so many things going on. You have to think about it. I was baptized into jazz by Chick Korea. Come on now. I mean, like, like I went from zero to the moon, you know what I mean? So, yeah, so I would say probably saxophone. Definitely David, David Sanborn, but just into contemporary jazz as a whole Chick Korea. Yeah. OK, all right. Now we're going to get into what have you been doing during this pandemic? Of course, things are opening up now. OK, so what were you doing during the pandemic when things were closed down, festivals were shut down, you couldn't perform? What were you doing? Well, you know, I was doing what the majority of my colleagues and peers, you know, they were doing first and foremost, I was trying to stay upbeat, be optimistic about the industry and the genre number one because there was so much going on. And after a pandemic or something of this nature, we know things will never be the same. And so I was trying to remain upbeat and then also I was trying to find ways to stay connected to my fan base and those who supported me. So I started doing, as everyone else, a lot of lives, virtual performances. And luckily I am pretty savvy when it comes to computers. So I was able to make that transition, you know, just like, I mean, no problem whatsoever. And then I also wrote two CDs during the pandemic. One of them was Love Letters and the other one I just released was Reset. OK, those are these are those are the two pandemic CDs. Love Letters is on the screen now and then Reset. Reset. Yes. And I love, you know, I love your love letters, you know, as also I do radio and I tell you all the time, I just love, I just love that. I just love that CD. There's just phones that I play all the time and now I'm starting to play Reset. But we're going to come back to that. So we're in the pandemic. And I know that you are an advocate for mental health. And I know and in this pandemic, a lot of people were having mental health issues, right? So tell us about that. Well, Love Letters was partly inspired by that, you know, you had people who were for lack of words and in a very real way confined and boundaries were set to where they had to be in particular places if they wanted to or not. Now, imagine if these people suffered with anxiety. Imagine if these people suffered with any type of mental health issues or even abuse from a spouse or just abuse from a guardian, whatever, you know, there I can imagine that mental health issues were probably magnified during this time. And so part of Love Letters was inspired by people who may be going through things, the song Superman, you know, if you listen to the lyrics, baby, what is this? I see something unfamiliar. I don't recognize the sadness in your eyes. What happened, baby, to the smile that I remember, to the lady that was set my heart on fire, you know, just songs that were motivating and just kind of addressing sadness and things like that that could be going on in a person's life. Yeah. Wow. Wow. You. People, as you said, as I stated earlier, gigs and stuff festivals are opening back up. Have you started playing gigs again? I have. I have. I have done a couple of gigs. There are quite a few of them that are informative stages. But I am fortunate that that's a recent gig that I was just at and happened to catch me at a candid moment. I was singing during this time in a perfect picture. But I love the stage. I love performing. I love the energy. I love the spontaneity that's required to to be a a performer that connects. And so thank God I am starting to get booked again. I'm very fortunate. Yeah. I didn't feel to be back on the first step put in that stage, getting back in front of a crowd. How did that feel? Well, being very transparent, you got to build back up. You got to build back up to it. I mean, virtual performance is nothing like live performance. Now, I'm not saying that, you know, you forget your chops or you this or that. But there's a, for instance, if you were a professional athlete and you you stop playing for a while, the muscle memory may be there, but you've got to get your rhythm back for lack of words. And probably halfway through my first performance, I found my rhythm. OK. And it got real smooth after that. Yeah, these are these are pictures of me, you know, at previous performances, singing and playing the saxophone. Yeah, I think I really do believe that one of the gifts that I'm fortunate to have is the ability to connect. And that's what that's what makes a artist. I think that's the defining characteristics that make that makes an artist a great entertainer as well. You know, if you can connect and make people a part of the moment. And I feel like I have an uncanny way of doing that. Now, you call yourself, you know, we say smooth jazz and stuff like that, but you call yourself a soul jazz artist. Do what is the difference? You know, this is going to be a two part question for you. OK. What is the difference between the soul jazz and smooth jazz? And then also this is the second part to the question is. What sets your sound apart from all the other saxophones? OK, first part of that question, what's the difference between soul jazz and smooth jazz? And this is just my personal perspective. I believe that soul jazz, I mean, smooth jazz is a bit more pop influenced where soul jazz is heavily R&B influenced, R&B and gospel influence heavily R&B and gospel influence. So if you listen to my music, my music is heavily R&B, gospel and soul influence. That's what it is and so where smooth jazz may be more pop. Yeah. And what sets me apart? But what do I feel I wouldn't even say sets me apart? What do I feel are my unique characteristics? I believe, number one, the fact that one of my saxophone idols is Walter Beasley. And he does something that I believe that a lot of saxophones or a lot of musicians can't do, especially saxophones, and that's play and sing very well. You know, he can do both of them. Some some some musicians saying just to break up the monotony. Then there are some when you start to sing, you're like, wow, he can really sing. And I think that's one of the qualities that sets me apart. Honestly, speaking, I could probably do half my show saxophone and other half piano and vocals. Oh, wow. I could I could I could seriously do that. If I as a matter of fact, I'm going to start as I'm touring. But I'm going to put inside of my show a James Ingram tribute. And that part of that tribute is going to be me sitting down at a piano playing and singing some of his songs. Nice. Before we get to the video clip that I want to show of you playing, let's talk about reset. What was the inspiration before behind the title of your CD reset? Well, I am coming out of the pandemic. There, I believe there's so many people the world, not just the United States, not just my particular circle. But I believe the world has had the awesome chance or opportunity to reset. There's so many things, you know, even if it's just perspective, so many people have we've lost so many people, we've lost so many loved ones, we've lost so many people. And so just reset your perspective on life, reset your perspective on dreams, reset your perspective on love, man, let's reset, push the reset button. Let's let's let's live again. No one knew a pandemic was coming. No one knew that we'd have this in our lifetime. But we're here, it has happened and now we're coming out. Let's reset, let's let's love, let's love anew. Let's dream again. Let's let's let's go after things like never before. Let's reset, man. I feel like I'm in church. I feel like I'm in church. That's good. Do you want to set up the video that you sent to me that we're going to show to our to our audience today? Sure. I believe this is the video of me. Is it of me singing a no sunshine? Yes. Yes. So one of one of my, like I said, I love the guys and the artists that were of yes to you. That's so real. So Bill Withers is one of my favorite vocal artists. And so I kind of took his song, Ain't No Sunshine and put a Marcus Adams Soul Jazz spin to it. So this is what you have. Let's listen to Marcus Adams' version of Ain't No Sunshine. Because I wish I could have heard the whole thing, but we just had to give the people just a little bit of snippet, you know, a snippet of what you do. Now, you have collaborated with with with a few people, right? Yes. Yes. Who would be your dream collaboration? You know, I keep saying this and this probably is going to be so left feel. But I would love to do something. A woman, if it's a woman, it's Layla Hathaway. If it's a man with Michael McDonald. Nice. Nice. And I can see you do it like I tell all the artists when I ask that question, speaking into existence. Yes. Speaking. I would probably say I'm closer to the Layla circle right now than I am the Michael McDonald circle. But who knows? So what advice would you give new artists coming into the industry today? Well, you know, with the limited success that I've had, I consider myself as a new artist, too. But I'll just say the things that I have done. And I'm just talking basically the smooth jazz genre. Relationships, relationships. The smooth jazz genre is a family. If you if you are out there working and what I mean about what I mean about working is if you're putting out music, if you're on the charts, if you're doing the Festival Circuit, if you're out there working, people see you, they hear you. They know who you are. And one phone call can I case in point, Alexander Zanzik Alexander Zanzik, flute player, legendary flute player. He does a couple of huge festivals a year. He wanted somebody. He was the one in Michigan. He wanted to get the Milwaukee crowd. He didn't know who to contact. In roundtree. Hold him under there's a saxophonist in Milwaukee who was making waves. He can get the more practice. His name is Marcus Adams. Alexander Zanzik called me and I was on a show with Dave Cos and Kenny Latimore because of relationships. Wow. So you know, that collaboration and all that network and stuff in the music industry. Yes. So I would say definitely Bill Strong relationships in the smooth jazz and Zara Bill Strong relationships because your relationships are definitely going to be needed in this genre. Now, for the saxophonist out there, saxophone players out there, what brand of saxophone do you, instrument, do you prefer? Well, a lot of people don't know this and I'm trying to promote this a little bit more because I'm just I'm just not accustomed to it. But I am an endorsed artist. I am endorsed by Sax Dakota. So I have label mates, Paula Atherton, Tony X, Virginia, all these people are my label mates. Oh, should I not label big but my endorsy mates? And so we're all endorsed. And yeah, I use Sax Dakota saxophones, primarily soprano and alto. Nice. Nice. Now, what new projects are you working on? And are there any shows or virtual shows coming up that we should be marking our calendars for? Yeah, I. Listen, I've got to say this. I reached out to one of my just dream collaborations, maybe a first part of the pandemic. And, you know, hey, can we do this and do that? And there was an initial response, but it was just kind of after that, just, you know, nothing. And it didn't stop me. I was like, OK, well, maybe it isn't it isn't meant to happen now. About, I want to say, a month ago out of the blue. This guy, it is and it's Walter Beasley. He just reached out and say, hey, man. You still want to do that tune? I'm ready. I'm ready. And I was like, well, I just put reset out and he said to me, OK, well, I still got to keep pushing. So just let me know. Now, in my mind, I'm thinking you don't put Walter Beasley on the back burner. Right. When he calls, you make something happen. I don't care if you're going to put it out next year. You record with him when he calls. And so we are currently he and I. We're working on the tool right now and it's going to come on. I think it's going to be fabulous. That's something that I'm doing. Studio wise, touring wise, there is a huge potential that has fallen in my lap. And I can't just speak on it right now. Right. Right. Not it's not solidified. And I just want to make sure that before I do that, it's solidified. But I'll just say this, you know, when this comes, when this happens to me, it definitely will take my career to the next level. Also, I can't wait. Well, I'll be watching. You know, I will be watching. I have just one minute left and I have one more question to ask you. And that is where can people go to find your music? Where can they go to know more about you? My music is all over social media. I mean, you know, Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon. Just look up Marcus Adams if you want to know if you have a particular project you like, reset suddenly, dream again, love letters, whatever. And then also you can go to my website and that is TheMarcusAdamsMusic.com. You hear that, everybody? You hear that? TheMarcusAdams.com. TheMarcusAdamsMusic. TheMarcusAdamsMusic.com. There you go. Go ahead and look him up, get his music, get his love letters, get all the music. Love letters, my favorite love letters. I'm still listening to reset, but love letters, reset, get it all. Get it all. And then find out where he's playing and go see him play. Marcus, I thank you so much for being here with me today. We'll have to call, we'll have to bring you back again once. Yeah, later on once we set, you know, start, start getting out here more. We're going to go ahead and bring you back. And maybe you make it a chance to come to Hawaii. Who knows what's the. That would be a dream come true. I take you again, Marcus. So much for being here to my viewers. Thank you as well for being here. Hope you enjoyed the show and I'll see you in a few weeks. Aloha, y'all. Bye bye.