Interview with Musician & Writer Marcus Jade

Photo: Bruna Lacerda

Marcus Jade, an accomplished blues musician and writer, is not someone who you easily forget. His music is both tender and chilling, which makes for an unforgettable experience. Below is an interview with him about his influences and favorites.

Name three favorite albums.

Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland
Marvin Gaye - What’s Going on
BB King - Live at Cook County

Who are your writing influences?

TS Elliot
James Baldwin
Amiri Baraka
Ralph Ellison
James Joyce
Langston Hughes
Harper Lee
Joan Didion
Maya Angelou

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I took photos as a student photographer during the Chicago Occupy 2012 protests. Many of the photos I took were published to shed light on the issues in Chicago.

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?

An orangutan.

What is your favorite name?

Magnolia.

What’s a film that changed you forever?

Menace II Society.

Listen to his performances below:

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Joanna C. Valente is a human who lives in Brooklyn, New York. They are the author of several collections, including Marys of the Sea, #Survivor, (2020, The Operating System), Killer Bob: A Love Story (2021, Vegetarian Alcoholic Press), and is the editor of A Shadow Map: Writing by Survivors of Sexual Assault. Joanna is the founder of Yes Poetry and the senior managing editor for Luna Luna Magazine. Some of their writing has appeared in The Rumpus, Them, Brooklyn Magazine, BUST, and elsewhere. joannavalente.com / Twitter: @joannasaid / IG: joannacvalente / FB: joannacvalente