Marshawn Smith & JCR

Native Chicagoan, Marshawn Smith is getting rave reviews with audiences for his long awaited single release, “Goin’ Up Yonder.” A jazz bassist known for his smooth punctuating style and balladeer vocals, Marshawn has taken the Walter Hawkins’ classic and tapped into something missing in today’s music – pure sound. The live horns, keyboards and percussions are driving the music to a bassist’s heartbeat while taking the ear of God to depict his own personal rendition of heaven - simply Marshawn! He has recruited some of Chicago’s finest musicians and vocalists to make his arrangement a “stand-alone” hit. Having performed with such artists as Stevie Wonder, Teddy Pendergrass, The Spinners, Gerald Levert and more, Marshawn has a way of merging the artist with the sound.

Marshawn’s entry into the industry is a story of perseverance and courage. Blinded through an unfortunate accident, his latent gifts manifested through the guidance of his older brother, who was a guitarist for the Mighty Dells. With encouragement from the Dells’ bassist, he mastered the 4-string bass with a unique style. As his sight began to diminish, Marshawn dealt with a range of emotions from pity to pride but the stubbornness inside him wouldn’t allow him to give up. Not only did he go on to receive his B.A. in Business Administration, but his reputation as a bassist grew as he played such arenas as the Arie Crown, well known jazz clubs and an impressive list of performances for the late great Mayor Harold Washington, Dorothy Tillmon, Operation Push and Benefit Concerts for The Michael Jordan Foundation and the McDonald’s Corporation, just to name a few.

Smith’s first recording entitled “Love Bird” received widespread play on stations WNUA and WBEZ. As a writer, arranger, vocalist and producer, Marshawn’s work was heralded as “colorful” and “masterfully” done. His latest release has surpassed his first and the sweet, angelic sounds of Smith’s back-up adds a new spice to an award winning classic.