Meet Marcus Finnie

A Memphis native, Marcus Finnie began playing drums at church accompanying his mother on organ. During this time, he practiced to vinyl records from Billy Cobham to Earth Wind and Fire. At age 4 he sat in with a band on Beale Street at Rum Boogie Cafe.

While in school, he played drums at Olivet Baptist Church every Sunday morning and night and then at a club after church subbing off and on for Yvette Preyer, the former drummer for Michael McDonald.

At the age of thirteen while playing at Olivet, he met Grammy winning jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum and after college would tour and record with him going on twelve years.

Once he left Memphis for Middle Tennessee State University, he furthered his musical experience in marching band, jazz band, and orchestra. He then switched his major to the school’s most popular major, Recording Arts to learn production and studio techniques.

While in college he interned with Grammy Producers Cedric and Victor Caldwell where he got to record with Smokie Norful, T.D. Jakes, Vickie Winans and Donnie McClurkin.

After college that year, one gig led to another that led to another. Shortly after college he got the call to go on the road with Donna Summer. While on the road with her, he met Billy Preston and in between Donna’s tour he went out with Billy Preston and Larry Carlton traveling over seas numerous times within weeks.

Later on he would go on to tour South Africa with Earl Klugh and shortly after, BWB (Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum, and Norman Brown). During this time Kirk also recorded his fourth volume of The Gospel According to Jazz which featured his current band along with several special guest artists.

While living in Nashville, Marcus has recorded, toured and performed with Keb Mo, Taj Mahal, Lady Antebellum, India Arie, Lalah Hathaway, Nelly, Sheléa, G-Love and Special Sauce, Ana Popovic, Jacob Whitesides, Michael McDonald, Take 6 and several others. Marcus continues to record and tour all the while teaching and giving clinics. He also writes, produces and arranges R&B, pop and jazz.