Marion Hayden

The bass speaks in the hands of award-winning artist Marion Hayden. Born in Detroit, a crucible of jazz, Hayden began performing at the age of 15 under the tutelage of master trumpeter Marcus Belgrave (2009 Kresge Eminent Artist) and saxophonist/producer Wendell Harrison (2018 Kresge Eminent Artist). She has performed with such luminaries as Nancy Wilson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Geri Allen, Regina Carter, Jon Hendricks, Steve Turre, James Carter, Dorothy Donegan, Lionel Hampton, Hank Jones, and George Benson. She is a co-founder of the Grammy-nominated ensemble Straight Ahead—the first all-woman jazz ensemble signed to Atlantic Records.

Widely recognized as an advocate for the preservation of the cultural and artistic legacy of jazz, Hayden has received national, state, and local grants supporting work with her ensemble Legacy—which performs original, narrative-driven compositional works. Her numerous awards include a Kresge Artist Fellowship (2016), a U.S. Congressional Commendation, a Spirit of Detroit Award, Detroit ACE Award, and the Jazz Hero Award from the Jazz Journalists Association—a national award recognizing people who have made a significant contribution through their artistry and community engagement. Hayden holds faculty positions at the University of Michigan and Oakland University.