MARCUS ROBERTS (pianist, composer, bandleader) was born August 7, 1963 in Jacksonville, Florida. The critically acclaimed and award winning musician, blind since childhood, got his first professional break when he joined Wynton Marsalis’ Band ate the age of 21. A noted stride player and versatile in a number of styles and settings from solo to trios to orchestra, Roberts has helped mentor the careers of Marcus Printup, Nicolas Payton and Jason Marsalis among others. In addition to performing and composing he is assistant professor of Jazz Studies at Florida State University.