Rojas, Marcus (23rd February 1963-Present)

He is a tubist, composer and teacher who was born in Brooklyn, New York who took his studies at New York’s High School of Music and Art followed by the New England Conservatory.

Known for his work as a jazz musician he has been a longtime member and founding member of the jazz trio Spanish Fly, SingleTree and the trio Brass Bang. He has also been a member of Henry Threadgill’s Very Very Circus and in recent years has performed as a member of Dave Douglas’ Brass Ecstasy and Nomad.

He is also an acclaimed soloist and chamber musician who has written and commissioned many works as well as performing premieres by composers such as Daniel Pinkham, Peter Schickele, Gunther Schuller, John Zorn and others. A sought after performer, he has played for countless orchestras and ensemble in the New York area. Some of these include the American Ballet Theater, the American Composers Orchestra, the American Symphony, the Art Ensemble of Chicago, EOS, Kamikaze Groiund Crew, Les Miserables Brass Band, the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet, the New York City Opera, the New York Pops, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and Radio City Music Hall. He has also performed on several TV shows.

Throughout his career he has performed with countless artists that include P.D.Q.Bach, David Byrne, Ray Charles, Dr. John, Marty Ehrlich, Aretha Franklin, Lionel Hampton, Michael Jackson, Queen Latifah, Michel Legrand, Wynton Marsalis, Bette Midler, Donnie Osmond, George Russell, Paul Simon, Sly & Robbie, Sting, They Might Be Giants, Dawn Upshaw, Loudon Wainwright III and Stevie Wonder.

He has performed on in excess of 350 recordings and just a select few of these are Black Dahlia by Bob Belden, Love This Giant by David Byrne, Songs I Heard by Harry Connick Jr., By Arrangement by Jim Hall, Gravity by Howard Johnson, Covers by Kamizake Ground Crew, Songs from the Last Century by George Michael, Alegria by Wayne Shorter, Grapefruit Moon by Southside Johnny, Fly by Night by Spanish Fly, 25 Years by Sting, Indestructable Object by They Might Be Giants and Leonard Bernstein’s New York by Dawn Upshaw.

His work on numerous jingles and more than 60 movie soundtracks include performances on the scores for The Chamber, Cupcake, Ed Wood, Fargo, Interview with the Vampire, Mission to Mars, Muppet Christmas Carol, 101 Dalmations, Primary Colors, Shaft, Sleepless in Seattle, Snake Eyes, The Spanish Prisoner,Wolf and You’ve Got Mail. Broadway has also used his talent with him appearing in productions such as Candide, The Little Mermaid, Ragtime, South Pacific, Spiderman – Turn Off the Dark and State Fair.

In the field of musical education he has been a member of the faculties of Brooklyn College, Manhattan School of Music, New York University and the State University of New York, Purchase. He has also given many workshops and masterclasses on a national and international level.

Sources:

Rojas, Marcus (23rd February 1963-Present)

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