Marvin Lee "Marv" Jenkins (born December 8, 1932 - March 4, 2005) was an American singer, pianist and songwriter of rhythm & blues and soul jazz. Jenkins touch was heavy and swinging, funky without being trite. Despite naming Erroll Garner and Oscar Peterson as influences, he sounded like neither. He was an
Marvin Jenkins was born in Aultman, Ohio, to Obediah and Novella Jenkins. His mother played piano and his brother, Obie, led bands in Canton, Ohio. Marvin, who was also known as Marv, studied music from the age of ten and while he specialized in piano, he also played organ, clarinet and notably flute.
The pianist taught privately during this time and debuted with his own record, Marv Jenkins Arrives (Orovox, 1960). This auspicious debut moved a&r Neal Hefti to sign him for Reprise Records, where he recorded A Tribute to My People (1961), and Good Little Man (1962).
In 1965 he waxed the all-star Big City (Palomar, 1965), featuring such West Coast lights as Carmell Jones, Buddy Collette, Richard “Groove” Holmes, Charles Kynard (who later covered the album's title song under his own name) and Ray Crawford. He also recorded the single I've Got the Blues (What Shall I Do) on
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Palomar Records. Big City was also recorded by Shirley Horn, Cannonball Adderley, Les McCann and Della Reese. Another of Jenkins’ songs “Lately” was recorded by Billy Paul. While Jenkins went onto play and tour with singer Della Reese, little, if anything, was heard from Jenkins thereafter until he appeared on Marvin Gaye’s landmark Let’s Get It On (Tamla, 1973).
Palomar Records. Big City was also recorded by Shirley Horn, Cannonball Adderley, Les McCann and Della Reese. Another of Jenkins’ songs “Lately” was recorded by Billy Paul. While Jenkins went onto play and tour with singer Della Reese, little, if anything, was heard from Jenkins thereafter until he appeared on Marvin Gaye’s landmark Let’s Get It On (Tamla, 1973).Although arthritis forced him to leave the professional arena in the late 1980's, Marvin Jenkins remained active teaching voice and piano, serving as mentor, writing charts and coaching performances for many of the young hipsters who frequented L.A.'s trendy Dresden Room. As well, until his retirement in 2003, he worked as accompanist for the Baldwin Hills Baptist Choir where he had been an integral part of the community since 1983.
Despite several hard turns including the death, at age ten, of his only son, Marvin Jr., and the pre-mature death of Anne Heywood-Jenkins, his wife of 25 years, Jenkins rarely flagged in his trademark optimism and loving, open disposition. This was challenged early on in his career when playing on tour often meant segregated venues and limited options for food and rest on the road. Jenkins credited his passion for playing as the source of his strength through these hardships. "I guess I loved the music so much, the rest just didn't matter," he said.Marvin Jenkins died on March 4, 2005, at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California. He was 72. He died of natural causes, according to his family, most of whom still resided in Ohio.
(Edited from various sources including Wikipedia, Fresh Sounds & Doug Payne)