Marlene Rosenberg
Applied Artist

Marlene Rosenberg has emerged as one of the most talented and multi-faceted bassists on the scene today. She has performed throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America and Japan and toured with:
- Joe Henderson
- Nancy Wilson
- Joe Williams
- Frank Morgan
- Ed Thigpen
- Albert "Tootie" Heath
- Benny Green
- Roy Hargrove
- Wallace Roney
She has also performed with:
- Cedar Walton
- Kenny Barron
- Stan Getz
- Terri Lynne Carrington
- Kevin Mahogany
- David “Fathead” Newman
- Marian McPartland
- Monty Alexander
- Frank Wess
- Frank Foster
- Teddy Edwards
- Ira Sullivan
- Ernestine Anderson
- Nick Brignola
- Larry Coryell
- Cyrus Chestnut
- Bobby Watson
- and more
She plays regularly with her own ensemble MRQ. She received an Illinois Arts Council Grant in 2011 to help produce her last CD “Bassprint.” She has been featured on multiple recordings, including her own, self-released, second CD; “ Pieces Of…” Featuring Cedar Walton and Javon Jackson which has soared to No.24 on the Jazz charts with critical acclaim. Rosenberg’s latest CD, “Bassprint” on Origin Records, is currently available on I-Tunes, Amazon and at marlenemusic@comcast.net; (www.marlenemusic.com). “Bassprint” has received great reviews and and is enjoying critical acclaim nationally and internationally. She has recently recorded her next project in NYC with Kenny Barron, Lewis Nash and Christian McBride (Christian McBride also co-producing the CD). Release date to be announced.
In addition, to her performance tributes she is coordinator of the jazz combo program at Northern Illinois University, as well as teaching the jazz bass studio. At Roosevelt University, she is instructor of bass as an applied artist lecturer. Also she is teaching jazz history at Elmhurst College this fall. Ms. Rosenberg holds a Masters of Music in jazz pedagogy from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Music in jazz bass and composition from The University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.
Recognition
Marlene Rosenberg handily juggles roles on her album "Pieces Of…” now stepping forward and intuitively understanding the time and place for each stance, Rosenberg amply shows why she’s one of the respected players.
JazzTimes Magazine
One of Jazz, Bass, and Music world’s treasures! There is a great bass tone, great swing, and lovely fire in everything that Marlene does.
John Clayton, bassist, composer, arranger
What makes Marlene special is her strength and depth of understanding of music. In a world of clones, she has managed to emerge as her own person with her own sound and feel…her time feel is steady and swings like mad.
Ed Thigpen, drummer
Credentials
M.M., Northwestern University
Duties
- String Bass
- Coordinator of Jazz Combos
Contact
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Music BuildingMonday - Friday
8 a.m. - noon
1 - 4:30 p.m.
815-753-1551
music@niu.eduBrigid Findley (Crawford)
Coordinator of Admissions
815-753-1546
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