"Marcus Strickland has started to turn heads in the most thriving but most competitive jazz scene on the planet ...his tone: liquid and luminous, yet forceful and exact."
-Thomas Conrad (JazzTimes Magazine)

Marcus Strickland's third release on Strick Muzik Idiosyncrasies finds the world-renowned saxophonist in the setting of his exhilarating trio (with bassist Ben Williams and drummer E.J. Strickland). From the start of the record it is truly apparent that you will not be able to sit still with the poppin' groove of Strickland's opening original "Cuspy's Delight", written for the drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts. The catchy melody soaring above the rhythmic playground of bass and drums immediately dives into Strickland's sax solo, which will make you consider whether the horn is a percussion or woodwind instrument. Then just when an idea of the album's direction starts to formulate Strickland's second original "Rebirth", a song about the healing powers of love, tantalizes the listener's chakras with his sax whispering the chant-like melody through the interweaving bass harmony. "Idiosyncrasies" takes you on an acoustic journey that is rare to find these days.

The album's title refers to what Strickland has developed through his horn and music, a sound so strong and distinct that in addition to his own intriguing compositions he, on other half of the record, is able to put his own stamp on cross-genre gems from Bjork, Andre 3000, Jose Gonzalez, Stevie Wonder, Jaco Pastorius and Oumou Sangare - this all done without the commonly expected use of substitute harmony. The many textures of horn, bass and drums are fully utilized on this album to create hip-shakin' African grooves, Electronica inflections, funky odd-metered bass figures and high-octane swing - Idiosyncrasies is a true testament to Strickland's eclectic musical upbringing, as well as his refusal to fit in a box.

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Marcus Strickland (born 1979 in Gainesville, FL) is a jazz tenor and soprano saxophonist from Miami, FL who currently lives in New York. He was named 'Rising Star, Soprano Saxophone' in Downbeat Magazine's Critic's Poll '08 and 'Best New Artist' in JazzTimes Magazine's Reader's Poll '06; placed third in the 2002 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition; has two releases on Fresh Sound New Talent Records as a leader ("At Last" and "Brotherhood"); one release on Criss Cross Records ("Of Song"); and three releases ("Twi-Life, Open Reel Deck & Idiosyncrasies") on his own music label Strick Muzik (launched in 2006).

The aspiring saxophonist has been on two Grammy-nominated recordings ("Fountain of Youth" - Roy Haynes & "Keystone" - Dave Douglas). In addition to his own trio and quartet, Strickland currently plays with Dave Douglas, Jeff 'Tain' Watts, and Will Calhoun. He also recently ended a five-year stint with legendary drummer Roy Haynes.

Strickland has gained professional & artistic integrity through experiences with Roy Haynes, Mos Def, Dave Douglas, Nicholas Payton, Jeff 'Tain' Watts, Christian McBride, Charles Tolliver Big Band, Tom Harrell, Will Calhoun, Lonnie Plaxico, The Carnegie Hall Big Band, The Mingus Band, the Village Vanguard Band, Milt Jackson Big Band, and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, just to name a few.



WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING:

"Marcus expertly stretches the outside of the envelope on every solo, and his sense of narrative never falls flat."
- J. Hunter (All About Jazz)

"Like Newk before him, Strickland has assembled a set of tunes with strong, direct melodies that inspire boundless reveries... Strikingly, the leader's own originals are just as memorable, and tailor-made for his tightly attuned trio... Throughout the album, the trio maintains a sound both sparse and rich, with a relaxed ease that allows for experimentation but without the airiness ever feeling empty."
- Shaun Brady (Downbeat Magazine)

"This record, honest and stubborn, stands its ground."
- Ben Ratliff (NY Times)

"The tenor player's rough 'n' tumble trio record is gutsy..."
- Jim Macnie (Village Voice)

"Marcus's Idiosyncrasies, with E.J. on drums and Ben Williams on bass, is a streamlined acoustic trio date, steeped in jazz heritage even as it foregrounds inventive takes on tunes by OutKast, Oumou Sangare, Jaco Pastorius and others."
- David Adler (Timeout Magazine NY)

"what was best about his set was the sturdy rapport of the trio, especially on aggressively swinging originals like "Set Free" and "Cuspy's Delight." Playing tenor on those themes, Marcus advanced a muscular but nimble style, responding as much to his partners as they did to him."
-Nate Chinen (NY Times)

"...on his way to becoming one of the finest jazz musicians of his time."
- JazzReview.com

"Strickland's own approach to music goes far beyond merely staying current - he is an innovator. One of his more recent projects, the Twi-Life Ensemble, is an extension of that innovation."
- JazzReview.com

"Strickland cut 'Open Reel Deck' live, and his group's bandstand vigor splashes throughout. The leader is a fierce soloist …keeps the performance level at a fever pitch."
- Downbeat Magazine

"Marcus Strickland has started to turn heads in the most thriving but most competitive jazz scene on the planet ...his tone: liquid and luminous, yet forceful and exact."
- JazzTimes Magazine