Marcus Joseph is a Leicester-born alto saxophonist and spoken word artist whose music fuses jazz, reggae, hip-hop, and contemporary sounds. Classically trained on the clarinet from age seven, Marcus’s early experiences as a hip-hop DJ and MC, including airplay on BBC Radio 1Xtra, eventually led him to embrace the saxophone, studying jazz in Leeds, London, and New Orleans.
His debut album, Beyond the Dome, released on the Jazz re:freshed label, explores themes of personal and external limitations, blending spiritual jazz with hip-hop influences. The album has been praised for its genre-defying sound and has garnered support from notable figures like Gilles Peterson and Tom Robinson.
Marcus’s performances are characterized by their energy and groove, often featuring funky breaks and rhythm sections that invite audiences to dance. His jazz compositions are deeply influenced by his Jamaican heritage and are interwoven with hip-hop and spoken word elements, creating a rich and engaging musical tapestry.