Marcus Gerakos
Whittier, California, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2017 | SELF | AFM
Music
Press
"Marcus Gerakos is a rare marriage of skill and imagination. He can move seamlessly from style to style at a world-class performance level. I’ve seen him go from Paganini’s 24 Caprices to the blues to 'Giant Steps' and back to a standard. His knowledge of his instrument and his ability to negotiate the terrain of so many different styles and eras shows a musical 'higher brain function' that is indeed very rare. Keep your eye on this young man. He is a performer of the highest level. With his great depth of expression and top notch technique, he will soon take his place on the world stage."
-Harry Scorzo, violinist/arranger with Jimmy Page & Robert Plant, Celine Dion, Cachao, Joao Gilberto, Bongo Logic, L.A. Salsa Society, among many others
"I've had the pleasure of playing with Marcus many times in many different genres. Marcus adapts to any musical situation, bringing a great sound, creativity, groove and musicality to the given project."
-Richie Gajate Garcia, percussionist with Hiroshima, Sting, Phil Collins, among many others
"Marcus has many virtues--a great person, a good friend, he's very professional and he plays many styles on his great guitar."--Alex Acuna, legendary drummer/percussionist with Weather Report, Lee Ritenour, John Patitucci and many others
'Marcus Gerakos is a stellar musician and composer who brings a deep sense of musicality, sensitivity and passion to every project he pursues. He digs deep into the history of the music, the musicians, and the genre. His tastes are eclectic, from Paganini to The Beatles and beyond, making his musical palette deep and wide, It has been my pleasure and privilege to make music with Marcus for over twenty years, and I hope there are many more projects to come."--Robert Kyle, saxophonist with Linda Hopkins, Betty Bryant, Chaka Khan, Kenny Loggins, Carole King, many others
"Marcus is very creative, versatile and musical! He's a virtuoso on the guitar and he's a joy to work with in the studio and on stage."--Hussain Jiffry, Grammy-winning bassist with Sergio Mendes, Herb Alpert, Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick, Yanni, and many others
'Marcus's Paganini recording alone would be enough to solidify his reputation as a great player. It's almost unfair that he's also such a great jazz and Latin guitarist!"--Dave Askren, guitarist with Jeff Benedict, Bob Moses, Delfeayo Marsalis, Antonio Hart and many others - http://marcusgerakos.com
Discography
A selected Marcus Gerakos discography:
As leader:
"As Twilight Approaches" (2009)
"Marmalade Skies: Songs of The Beatles, Volume 1" (2011)
"Twelve Caprices: The Art Of Paganini" (2016)
"The Edge Of Wonder" (with Robert Kyle) (2016)
As guest artist;
"The Island"--Didi Scorzo
"Redimido"--Joshua Chavez
"My Eyes Are Opened"--Jackie Gibson
Photos
Bio
Since earning his bachelors' degree in music from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1990, Marcus Gerakos has enjoyed an eclectic and busy career in music, from his collaborations with Grammy-winning percussionist Alex Acuna to his recordings with internationally-known reggae artist Avion Blackmon (Christafari) to performances with Grammy-winning saxophone legend Justo Almario and platinum-selling smooth-jazz pioneer John Klemmer. He has performed in the near and far corners of the world, from Canada and Mexico to Central America and the Far East. He is recognized by many of his well-known musical peers as one of the finest guitarists in the business. He has recorded in a variety of settings and has a long list of CD credits as a session player. He has arranged and performed some of the classical guitar's most demanding literature, including the 24 Caprices for Solo Violin by Nicolo Paganini, as well as popular songs treated with intricate counterpoint and harmonies reminiscent of pianist Bill Evans. He has earned critical praise as a solo artist, recording four albums (including "The Edge Of Wonder", a duet project with woodwinds player Robert Kyle) and garnering international airplay. Two songs he wrote and arranged for the children’s charity project, “Yes We Serve; For The Children”, have enjoyed considerable airplay in the U.S. and in Ghana, West Africa, where funds are being raised to build schools and youth camps for Ghanaian children. His 2011 release, “Marmalade Skies: Songs of The Beatles, Vol. 1”, features many of his well-known musical colleagues like Artie Webb, considered by many to be the finest Latin jazz flautist of his generation, and Francisco Loyo, arranger and musical director for Latin pop superstar Luis Miguel. “Marmalade Skies” and its predecessor, “As Twilight Approaches” (2009), are both available through Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify, and most other major online retailers.
In fall 2016 Marcus was a guest lecturer at the campuses of UCLA, Cal Poly Pomona, and Los Angeles City College, where he performed and discussed twelve of the twenty-four Caprices for Solo Violin, Opus 1, by the legendary violinist/composer Nicolo Paganini. This lecture tour coincided with the fall 2016 release of “Twelve Caprices”, his much-lauded recording of the caprices on classical guitar. The following year he was invited to the Conservatorio De Musica and the Universidad San Carlos De Guatemala to lecture on and perform selections from the twenty-four caprices
Band Members
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