The multi-tasking percussionist

Central High instructor Marcus James writes, performs, records and teaches music

Although Marcus James is now a musician, he once started as a cornerback at Carver Middle School. Later, in high school, he made the difficult decision to focus on the school band instead of playing football.

“Coming out of Carver, I thought I had to make a choice,” James said. “I didn’t play a lot my eighth grade year because I was ineligible, so I figured I took myself off the radar as far as Booker T. Washington [High School] coaches.” 

James is slender built, average height and has dread-locked hair so long it makes you wonder how he can hold his head up straight. From a distance, it is possible
to mistake him for Seattle Seahawks star corner back, Richard Sherman. 

Today, James schoolyard dream has come full circle: he now teaches Music Theory at Central High School.

He’s known primarily as a percussionist but plays a variety of instruments. You might know him from his past work with Brandee Hamilton and the Soul Element, Branjae, Charlie Redd and the Full Flava Kings, African Drums with Arthur Thompson, or his appearances at Cypher 120, the music and writer showcase at Yeti hosted by poet/emcee Written Quincey—recently revamped and christened The Situation (see page 40). Last Friday, Quincey hosted Sounds of Solitude: The Experience, a showcase of James’s work (his first three albums, all instrumental pieces, all feature a variation of the title “Sounds of Solitude”)  as a multi-instrumentalist at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame.

“When I think of Marcus James, I remember the soft-eyed young talent in the scene six or seven years ago,” Branjae said. “He was quiet, always listening and soaking up anything and everything happening in the music scene. He’s come into his own artistry since the first time he played drums and bass with me… He deserves all the success coming his way.”

In addition to his presence in the local scene, James finds time to perform regularly at his church, Revelations Revealed Truth Evangelistic Center on North Lewis. 

James’s early musical influences helped him make the decision to choose band over football—most on his mother’s side of the family sing or play an instrument.   

“I was doing music and playing drums since I was four. All through middle school, even though we played football, we was always up by the band at BTW games, and I was just like, man, that’s what I want to do; I want to be in the band.” 

His parents bought him his first drum set, but he fell in love with the drums by playing on pots and pans—and before that, an imaginary drum set that he would play in front of the TV while watching concerts. Next, his older brother taught him to play bass. In high school he would practice for hours and hours, even on school nights. He also watched famous bass players like Victor Wooden and Thaddeus Tribbett. 

But it was learning to play piano that proved most difficult for him.  

“I never thought I would pick up a piano, I would look at all the keys and be like, I don’t think I can do this, and I spent a lot of nights pouting and frustrated, trying to learn songs, it was frustrating. I pouted and threw fits, and over time I noticed myself actually grasping the concept of playing a piano.”

He is driven mostly by the ability to wake up every day and do what he loves: teaching, playing, selling and creating music. 

“I’m able to do that everyday all day,” James said.  

He’s optimistic about the future, and teaching young students is what drives him. Two of his former middle school students are now playing in college. He said it’s a great feeling to teach someone and then see them succeed down the road. 

James is not currently with a band because he’s focusing on his own projects, including his upcoming third album, titled Into the Wild. He’s still finding himself as artist, but knows who he’s trying to be. He wants to be a great and inspiring musician.