Lalah Hathaway, Eric Benet, Dave Koz, Brian Culbertson, and Jennifer Holiday are a few of the numerous world-renowned artists for whom Anderson has opened, and with whom he has shared the stage. Anderson has become a household name, always delivering inconceivable musicianship when performing for dignitaries or blazing the stage in collaborative effort with artists including Sheila E., Anthony Hamilton, or Miguel.
No matter the location of the venue, supporters travel worldwide to hear Marcus Anderson and his band, "The Creatives". High-spirited, personable, and electrifying, Anderson is a multi-instrumentalist who gives his all with fervor and passion in every performance. He's a must-hear at highly recognized festivals such as the Essence Music Festival, Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival, Seabreeze Jazz Fest, and the Jazz Legacy Foundation. He has also appeared with headliners on top-ranking shows like The Tonight Show, Arsenio Hall, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Jimmy Fallon.
As a visionary and gifted entrepreneur, Anderson is celebrating 8 years as the proud owner of his own prestigious coffee brand, "AND Coffee", which became the catalyst for his first annual Jazz AND Coffee Escape Festival in Asheville, NC in August of 2019. Marcus Anderson, '07, returns to his alma mater, North Carolina Central University (NCCU), to celebrate the five-year anniversary of his annual Jazz AND Coffee Escape in July of 2023, which also marks the beginning of the Marcus Anderson Endowed Scholarship, benefiting the music department and the jazz studies program, from where he graduated, at NCCU! Anderson has also ventured into the world of comics and animation, becoming the first jazz artist in history to create his own comic book and cartoon animation, titled The Creatives.
Marcus continues to make historic leaps as he lives out his favorite quote, "work smarter not harder", which was spoken into his life by his father. Anderson has literally taken that leap as he embarked upon his newest endeavor, serving as the Program Director of "L.E.A.P. (Leadership in Entertainment and The Arts Program) with Marcus Anderson" at his alma mater, North Carolina Central University, in Durham, NC. This program offers students the opportunity to apply the wisdom, guidance and experience shared with them from Marcus Anderson and his friends, all of whom have become successful in the arts and entertainment industry, that will empower these students to dream bigger and take a leap into greater!
Previous Page
