Marcel Smith's professional career started in earnest in 1974 after serving four years as a musician in the Navy. He was fortunate in having had the opportunity to study Privately with Fred King, Morris Goldenberg, Warren Smith and Earl Williams.

 

Marcel worked with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater from 1975-1980. His work with Ailey included a six week run in Paris, President Jimmy Carter's Inaugural Gala and an Ellington Festival, where he had the opportunity to perform with the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington.

 

While in Europe he also performed with the Howard Roberts Choral at the Montreux, Dijon,  and Antibes Jazz Festivals and in addition , accompanied Gospel singers Marion Williams, Reverend Cleophus Robinson and Blues singer Cousin Joe.

 

Marcel has toured with the Broadway show "The Wiz", performed in  productions of "Aint Misbehavin", "Eubie" and " Williams and Walker",  played with " Symphony of the New World" and had a small spot in Charles Lane's currently rereleased movie " Side Walk Stories".

 

 He has performed with artist such as Dave Burns, Jerry Eastman, Tyrone Jefferson, Talib Kibwe, Theresa Merritt, Roy Merriweather, Billy Mitchell,  Jimmy Nottingham,  Jim Roberts, Arvelle Shaw, Sahib Shihab,  Jimmy Sigler,  and toured with the Brian Torff Trio for Columbia Artist.

 

Currently, in addition to working freelance, Marcel has been busy writing, producing and organizing music education workshops and performing solo.  His works include Ouroboros, for eight Percussionist, written for and performed by the SUNY Oneonta Percussion Ensemble, in 2011 and Reflective Landscapes of Bardo, a suite for for solo percussion, first performed in 2012.