Johnson’s unique ability to seamlessly blend varying musical styles, production skills, and business leadership should not come as a surprise. It’s a philosophy he lives by. A self-taught keyboardist who draws inspiration from Quincy Jones, George Duke, Gerald Albright and other “musical entrepreneurs,” Johnson, in 1997, graduated from Georgetown University with a Law Degree and a Masters in Business Administration. In addition, in May of 2001, Marcus Johnson was honored with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. “Don’t ask me how I did it,” he says, laughing at the memory of grueling all night study sessions. “The will, desire and determination to succeed is a gift from God through my parents.”

The fact that Marcus Johnson could fit so comfortably in both worlds makes all the sense in the world given his background. His age makes him a true product of hip-hop culture who, like his peers was weaned on the rhythms of rap. He also, however, grew up listening to a broad variety of musical genres: his mother played classical piano and his first memorable concert experience was an Earth, Wind & Fire theatrical extravaganza that his father took him to. His jazz inflections surfaces when he began tinkling the keys at age thirteen (his stepfather won Maryland’s “Pick-3 Lottery” and used the winnings to buy Johnson’s first keyboard) and found himself studying both traditional and contemporary masters (Joe Sample and Theloneous Monk are two names he frequently cites).

Being a uniquely well rounded musician wasn’t enough for Marcus Johnson. Johnson established Marimelj Entertainment Group, Inc. (MEG) for the purposes of developing exceptional creative works in the music and music publishing arenas. Johnson exhibits pride when stating, “The three pillars of Marimelj: Spirituality, Artistry, and Strategy are the keys to ensure our future. We understand this and are committed to using these concepts to guide us to success.“ Marimelj’s ability to produce quality sounds landed a distribution agreement with the Warner/Elektra/Atlantic (WEA) which disseminates the Marimelj sound to record stores worldwide.

Johnson feels that the company’s most important project to date is entitled “It Takes a Village”. It’s the beginning of a series of interactive CD projects that was released by the Marimelj Entertainment Group, Inc. featuring top musicians within the field of Contemporary Jazz, Instrumental R&B, and Alternative. It takes the listener on a journey through different sounds and provides interactive support for women interested in learning more about breast cancer. It Takes a Village Features performances by Johnson, Bassist David Dyson, Composer David Bach and Vocalist Keith Ailer. Johnson has teamed up with the Breast Cancer Resource Committee to donate money from this venture toward the expansion of prevention and support programs provided by the organization.

So what do you call a person who runs their own company, fights for important causes within the community and abroad and still finds time to record and produce the most beautiful musical arrangements that can only be described as divine…

You call him a young man on the move!