marqseven

Artist Information

Biography

Described as sparkling, magnetic, and sultry, singer and songwriter marqseven has been performing professionally since 1999. Music has long been a passion of hers, as her evolution began by playing various musical instruments in elementary and high school, and then dancing with a local rap group in the early nineties. She has been bringing her deepest thoughts, truest emotions and colorful imagination to life on paper composing original song lyrics, short stories and poetry. She began sharing her poetic works at various open mics around Chicago while infusing her rich, deep vocals into her performances. All drawn from her personal experiences, marqseven's poignant pieces celebrate the inspiration of a new love, the frustration of unbalanced relationships, spirituality and personal growth.

In August 2000, marqseven made her professional debut as a jazz vocalist with saxophonist David Boykin and The David Boykin Expanse, and is featured on his 2001 release, 47th Street Ghost. She has performed in many popular venues and festivals, including the 2001 Chicago Jazz Festival, which was broadcast live on WBEZ 91.5 FM. In May 2003, she was chosen as one of ten finalists in the Chicago Music Opportunity Project (CMOP) showcase competition and has one of her songs, Strange Love, featured on the CMOP compilation CD, CMOP Volume I. She has shared the stage with some of the world's most accomplished musical talent, including Howard Hewett, Vinx, Soul People, and the Damian Espinosa Jazz Ensemble. She has also been seen as one of The Supremes in V. Holmes' “Tribute to the Motown Greats". She is currently performing locally and nationally with the Ken Arlen Orchestra.

All in one show, marqseven delivers the best, from stirring soul classics to bold, emotionally honest originals. Through her mellow vocals, irresistible smile and contagious energy, she captivates and tantalizes her audience from start to finish, creating an unforgettable vibe and a simply incredible performance. Her EP, Synchronicity, features a smooth, honeyed blend of acoustic, soul and house tunes.

Instrumentation

marqseven, Lead Vocals

Other instrumentation can include:
Guitar, keys, bass, drums, percussion

Extended set-up includes trumpet, alto saxophone & one background vocalist.

Discography

-synchronicity (2007)
-Love Grows EP (2004)
-Goddess Within Project Compilation CD (2004)
-CMOP Compilation CD, Volume 1 (2003)
-West End Records International Music Search TOP 10 (2003-2004) (featured on "If Things Don't Get Better")
-southsideacousticwave demo (2003)
-47th Street Ghost, The David Boykin Expanse (2001)

Official Website

http://www.myspace.com/marqseven

Links

• marqseven's myspace page

Audio

• in love with u (remix)
  Listen  
• u (a song for shay)
  Listen  
• true colors
  Listen  
• gods and goddesses
  Listen  
• black star
  Listen  
• in love with u
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Black Star
• U (A Song for Shay)
• In Love With U (Remix)
• Gods and Goddesses

Video

marqseven @ The Center for the Performing Arts 10.13.06

Photo Gallery

Press

• The Heat Music Reviews [+ Show ]
  

  Synchronicity - Marqseven By: Carolina Jones Marqseven’s “Synchronicity” is a gentle ripple in a...Synchronicity - Marqseven
  By: Carolina Jones
  
  Marqseven’s “Synchronicity” is a gentle ripple in a jazzy ocean. The opening track ‘U’ is a simplistic guitar acoustic ode to someone named Shay which leads to her equally simplistic yet totally beautiful cover of Cyndi Lauper’s ‘True Colors’. I was afraid that every track would be as equally sparse but low and behold tracks ‘In Love with U’ and ‘Gods and Goddesses’ showcased more of Marqseven’s vocal range and had more instrumental accompaniment that served to bring out a more robust picture of the person behind the cool and reserved vocal persona. I feel oh so elegant after listening to this EP.

• Marqseven: Making Her Marq on the Soul Music Industry! [+ Show ]
  

  Marqseven: Making Her Marq on the Soul Music Industry! By Johnny Johnson Stony Island Magazine I...Marqseven: Making Her Marq on the Soul Music Industry!
  By Johnny Johnson
  Stony Island Magazine
  Issue One
  
  In the early 90’s you may have caught this soulful, sultry singer dancing with the female rap group, Rapture; but times have definitely changed for Marquecia [Jordan], better known to the music world as Marqseven. Drawing comparisons to the likes of India Arie, Jill Scott and Sade, Marqseven is receiving rave reviews from her independently released CD, “Synchronicity”.
  
  “Synchronicity” can be best described as “Sweet, melodic, smooth and soulful; perfectly groovy with a combination of jazz, soul, acoustic and house flavors. Music that speaks to the heart, from the heart (cdbaby.com).”
  
  [Jordan] launched her singing career by landing an opportunity to work with experimental jazz musicians David Boykin and Nicole Mitchell, who taught [Jordan] that music expression should be free. [Jordan] also credits the Chicago music scene with influencing the growth of her craft. “There are all of these talented soulful artists with whom I’ve worked over the past six years or so who have such a strong sense of who they are and what they want the world to experience through their music. We have so much amazing talent here; artists who have substance and whose music has true meaning.”
  
  Although [Jordan] is inspired by the very artists she’s drawn such close comparisons to, she’s also a big fan of Prince, Corinne Bailey Rae and Dee Alexander. [Jordan] has also developed a fan base of her own while touring nationally.
  
  So what’s the next step for an independent artist of this magnitude?
  
  “Well, I’d like to perform more nationally and internationally, sell as many CDs as possible, write and record more material, collaborate with other talented artists while experimenting with different sounds, and license my music to movies and television. I tend to take a couple of steps at a time.”
  
  Finally, [Jordan] advises those aspiring to break into the music business to listen to as much music as possible, while paying attention to the sounds of the environment. “Surround yourself with people who are doing what you want to do and learn from them. Always keep a positive and friendly attitude because you never know who’s watching you or how connected the next person you meet is; a friendly demeanor makes a world of difference. Finally, sing the song that fits YOU and not the song someone else wants you to sing.”
  
  
  In Love with You (Remix) by Marqseven on Stony I’s Promotional CD (V1).

• Jazz Institute of Chicago [+ Show ]
  

  Rahsaan Morris Clark The Jazz Institute of Chicago (on a show at The Velvet Lounge with The David ...Rahsaan Morris Clark
  The Jazz Institute of Chicago (on a show at The Velvet Lounge with The David Boykin Expanse)
  
  “Marquecia Jordan [marqseven] added vocal expertise on a couple of the band’s selections. Following the opening number there was another upbeat piece, led by Ms. Jordan’s singing with a strong, clear timbre and, with her sleek, black, off-the-shoulder dress, looking like Wilhemina Fernandez in the film "Diva.”
  

• Marqseven -- Synchronicity EP [+ Show ]
  

  Sweetly sensitive soul from Marquecia Jordan -- aka Marqseven -- stepping forth beautifully on this ...Sweetly sensitive soul from Marquecia Jordan -- aka Marqseven -- stepping forth beautifully on this debut EP! Marquecia's music has a sound that's really unique -- a slightly fragile feel at times, but not in the folksy styles of other underground soul singers -- more deeply crafted overall, with a rich sense of feeling that's totally great. The rhythms are nicely subdued, but there's still a nice undercurrent of funk at times -- and as the 6 tracks on the album unfold, they paint a picture of Marquecia that really has us eager for a full CD! Titles include "Black Star", "Gods & Goddesses", "In Love With U", "True Colors", and "U".

Setlist

Set includes original and cover music. Note that this is only a partial list.
Original:
Black Star
Gods and Goddesses
In Love with U
U (A Song for Shay)
Covers:
As
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Ain’t Nobody
Baby I’m a Star
Blue Rose
Chasing Strange
Crazy in Love
Dancing in the Streets
Deep Waters
Disco Inferno
Don't Stop the Music
Falling Slowly
For Once in My Life
Gatekeeper
Get Together
Glamorous
He Loves Me
Human Nature
I Am Not My Hair
I Will Survive
Imagine
Keep Your Head to the Sky
Killing Me Softly
Kiss of Life
Last Dance
Like a Star
My Cherie Amour
Open Your Eyes, You Can Fly
Overjoyed
Proud Mary
Put Your Records On
Respect
Ribbon in the Sky
Shake It
Smooth Operator
Stop in the Name of Love
Sweet Dreams
True Colors
Umbrella
What’s Going On
What You Won’t Do for Love
You Gotta Be
Jazz:
Autumn Leaves
Black Coffee
Can’t Get Out of This Mood
Cheek to Cheek
Cry Me a River
Devil May Care
Georgia on My Mind
Girl from Ipanema
God Bless the Child
Love is Here to Stay
Love Me or Leave Me
Lullaby of Birdland
Round Midnight
S’Wonderful
Strange Fruit
Summertime
The Nearness of You
The Very Thought of You
Unforgettable
What a Wonderful World


Set lengths range from:
One 30-45-minute set
Two 45-minute sets
Three 45-minute sets

Sets can also be customized. Please inquire at time of booking.

Basic Requirements

Calendar