Todd Marcus – Virginia MacDonald Quintet

Todd Marcus, bass clarinetist from Baltimore, and Virginia MacDonald, clarinetist from Toronto, have been performing and touring together since 2022 with their quintet across the United States and Canada. Their collaboration forms a lush ensemble sound showcasing the beauty and power of the clarinet in a modern jazz context. Their repertoire mainly consists of original compositions by both leaders. They have performed internationally at notable jazz festivals and venues including Smalls Jazz Club, the Toronto Jazz Festival, the International Clarinet Association, and the Baltimore Museum of Art.

Playing clarinet in modern jazz is challenging due to technical and volume issues, leading many woodwind players to favor saxophones. Although clarinet has a rich history in traditional New Orleans, Dixieland, swing, and avant-garde free jazz, it is underused in modern straight-ahead jazz. Marcus and MacDonald have addressed this gap with their unique solo and compositional voices, establishing international reputations as prominent clarinetists in jazz.

The New York Times calls Todd Marcus possibly the most inventive bass clarinetist working in straight-ahead jazz today and notes his influential presence in Baltimore's jazz scene. Grammy-winning trombonist Michael Dease praises Virginia MacDonald for capturing a soulful essence on the clarinet usually heard on saxophones, highlighting her unique voice.