I first met Marcus during a jazz session in Cornwall in 2000.
Within minutes and hardly before Marcus had rolled off his first few bars watching and listening to this enthusiastic ‘happy go lucky’ trombonist, we were mesmerised and excited with his skill on the trombone. Our evening was complete after we had invited him to our table eager to learn more from this man who had truly enriched our table that night.
I quickly discovered that Marcus had worked for BBC tv, had performed on many radio broadcasts and hundreds of advertising jingles and West End theatre shows. His recording career has spawned a collection of CDs ( see Spotify and iTunes) and he is a signed artist and clinician to Michael Rath trombones. Overcoming his months of despair, he began to realise that if he was to enjoy life once more he must play again. He set about rebuilding his embouchure, an almost impossible task knowing the muscle damage inflicted to his lips and mouth.
Working through years of immense pain, and with great determination he gradually found, note- by-note the ability to play simple exercises.
It was during this period his thoughts to how he could make the development of his embouchure easier knowing what was required.
Marcus told us of a strange dream that he had of a device that would help him to play professionally again. He turned that dream into what is now known as the Stratos Embouchure System. .
The Stratos now receives high praise from thousands of players from amateurs to pros as to how it has helped them. Marcus also says Stratos is responsible to him returning to the stage and playing once again at a top level. He is constantly helping to coach players from all genres with all playing issues. From helping me with articles with my Big Band Buddies magazine he is now the guesting and writing for many of the top brass magazine and is now regarded as one of the top embouchure specialists in the world. With this book you really are in good hands.
I am privileged to have met this man whose whole life has been dedicated to furthering his trombone playing and musicianship with the same zeal and passion he has shown others for them to reach their goals and beyond.
Who is Marcus Reynolds? He is truly a committed trombonist, teacher, bandleader, inventor, a really nice guy and a genuine friend.
PETE KING
EDITOR- BIG BAND BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE (1999-2018)