San Francisco's Marcus Shelby Telling Black History Through Music

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Meet Marcus Shelby, a San Francisco-based composer and bassist who uses his music to explore and share stories of Black history and culture. Shelby's compositions tackle subjects like Harriet Tubman, the Negro Baseball Leagues, and the Civil Rights movement, drawing inspiration from jazz, blues, and swing. After initially pursuing a career in electrical engineering, Shelby found his calling in music, honing his craft in the Los Angeles jazz scene before moving to San Francisco to develop as a composer. In addition to his musical work, Shelby serves on San Francisco's Art Commission and is the Artistic Director of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival. He also teaches a teen big band at the Community Music Center, hoping to inspire the next generation of musicians.

Why it matters

Shelby's music provides a unique and powerful way to share important stories from Black history and culture. By blending musical genres like jazz, blues, and swing, he is able to capture the energy and emotion of these historical moments and movements. His work not only educates and enlightens listeners, but also helps to preserve and celebrate the rich legacy of Black Americans.

The details

Shelby's musical journey began unexpectedly when he chose to play the upright bass in band class, not out of any particular passion for the instrument, but because a friend had selected it. Over time, however, Shelby grew to love the bass and became inspired by jazz legends like Charles Mingus and Charlie Haden. After briefly pursuing electrical engineering, Shelby found his true calling in music, honing his skills in the Los Angeles jazz scene before moving to San Francisco to focus on composition. Many of Shelby's pieces tackle important moments and figures in Black history, such as the 1944 Port Chicago incident, the life of Harriet Tubman, and the Civil Rights movement. He immerses himself in research, visiting historical sites and working with experts, to ensure his music authentically captures the essence of his subjects.

• Shelby was born in Japan while his father was serving in the Navy.
• Shelby initially pursued a career in electrical engineering, working briefly at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Los Angeles.
• Shelby attended the California Institute of the Arts and became involved in the Los Angeles jazz scene, forming the influential group Black Note.
• Shelby moved to San Francisco in the mid-1990s to further develop as a composer.
• Shelby has served on San Francisco's Art Commission for over a decade and is the Artistic Director of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Shelby plans to continue exploring and sharing stories of Black history and culture through his music, with upcoming projects focused on the prison industrial complex and the COVID-19 pandemic.