Marcus Strickland was born in Gainesville, Florida, & grew up in Miami. His musical studies began at age eleven, playing principal alto saxophone in his middle school's symphonic & concert Bands. By high school he switched to the tenor, since most of his heroes were jazz tenor saxophonists. Because of his enthusiasm towards music & the accolades he received for his talent, Marcus aspired to be a professional jazz recording artist. Along with his twin brother, E.J. Strickland, who has reciprocal talent on the drums, Marcus moved to New York to study at the Mannes Jazz Program at the New School for Social Research. Before graduation, Marcus had already achieved many facets of starting his musical career. In his early twenties, tenor & soprano saxophonist Marcus Strickland is a significant contributor to fertile jazz scene of New York City. With a gorgeous tone & unabashed command of both his instrument & linear expression, the sax man demands the listener's attention. Since his appearance in "The City" in 1997, Marcus has shared the stage & recorded with jazz musicians of an elite proportion. The young saxophonist has gained professional & artistic integrity through experiences with The Carnegie Hall Big Band, The Mingus Band, Tom Harrell Big Band, Milt Jackson Big Band, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra & Reggie Workman's African American Legacy Band. Marcus has also performed with the small groups of Wynton Marsalis, Tom Harrell, Winard Harper, Mark Whitfield, Donald Edwards & currently plays with the Roy Haynes Quartet & Lonnie Plaxico Group. In addition to being an experienced sideman, the saxophonist is also the leader of the Marcus Strickland Quartet, with which he has performed in overseas countries such as Spain, as well as local clubs in the USA, like Twins (Washington, D.C.) & Up Over Cafe (Brooklyn, NY). On his debut CD "At Last" Marcus is in his element with a group that is nourished by its creativity and interaction. Although he is influenced by Joe Henderson, Branford Marsalis, John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter, there is no questioning of the capturing personality of Marcus Strickland.