Pianist Lenny Marcus plays “The Jazz of Beethoven” with his trio at the Mainstay in Rock Hall, MD on Friday October 18 at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $15. For information and reservations call 410-639-9133. Information is also available at the Mainstay’s website https://www.mainstayrockhall.org.

Lenny Marcus is a pianist with a gift for invention who also plays flute and sings. “The Jazz of Beethoven” respectfully takes some of Beethoven’s most famous works, puts them in clever jazz arrangements and uses them as vehicles for personal improvisation. Marcus will be joined by Rick Eckberg on bass and Larry Scott on drums.

Marcus has recorded 22 albums as leader to date and received rave reviews for “The Jazz of Beethoven” from Jazz Times where reviewer David Franklin said, “…he might add a Latin underpinning, as he does to “Waldstein Two,” which also alludes to a phrase in Dizzy Gillespie’s “Manteca.” Or perform “Für Elise” in 5/4, in the manner of Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five.” Or give “Ode to Joy” a bluesy, earthy groove with a strong backbeat. All of this works because Beethoven’s original melodies are tuneful and lend themselves to these kinds of treatments and because the arrangements are intelligent and well-executed.”

Marcus’s album, “Sunray- A Tribute To Ray Bryant,” a heartfelt homage to his first piano teacher and family friend, reached #4 on the jazz charts in 2012. He showcased the music from the CD “The Jazz of Beethoven” and “Sunray” at Blues Alley in DC at the beginning of this year and “brought the house down!” His latest albums, “Tonk” and “Peace for Beethoven – A Jazz Of Beethoven Companion,” were released in the Spring of 2013.

Lenny Marcus hails from Washington, D.C. and began his jazz career studying with Ray Bryant. He then moved to New Orleans where he studied with legends Ellis Marsalis and Alvin Batiste. He worked in New Orleans for many years and recorded with a host of stellar jazz artists, including David “Fathead” Newman, Charlie Byrd, Herb Ellis, Lou Donaldson, Frank Foster, Sonny Fortune, Brian Lynch, Jane Powell and many others.

Marcus has performed at international jazz festivals, several New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festivals, and has had his music featured on radio and TV, including song placements on CNN’s “Hero’s” series, the National Weather Channel (many songs over several years), NPR’s “All that Jazz” and “All Songs Considered.” Two of his compositions were finalists in the ISC international song writer’s competition.

The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street. It is a 501(c)(3), non profit dedicated to the arts, serving Rock Hall, MD and the surrounding region. It is committed to presenting local, regional and national level talent, at a reasonable price, in an almost perfect acoustic setting. Wine, beer, sodas and snacks are available at the bar.

The Mainstay is supported by ticket sales, fundraising including donations from friends and audience members and an operating grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.

For information and reservations call the Mainstay at 410-639-9133. More information is also available at the Mainstay’s website https://www.mainstayrockhall.org.