Marcus Machado

Marcus Machado is a guitar virtuoso whose explosive talent has electrified the music world. Born in Brooklyn, Machado picked up the acoustic guitar at age two and the electric by four, earning early comparisons to Jimi Hendrix for his prodigious skill and fiery stage presence. Last appearing at SFJAZZ with the masterful soul-jazz vocalist José James, Machado headlines his first performance in the Joe Henderson Lab.

Drawing inspiration from legends like Hendrix, Carlos Santana, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Machado fuses blues, funk, jazz, hip-hop, rock, and psychedelia into a genre-blurring sound that is both soulful and hard-hitting.

Dubbed Rolling Stone’s “Next Young Gun” in 2016, Machado has become one of the most in-demand guitarists of his generation, collaborating with icons such as Anderson .Paak, Robert Glasper, Jon Batiste, Lalah Hathaway, Pharoahe Monch, and Pete Rock. His solo work, including the acclaimed album Aquarius Purple, showcases his mastery of the six-string and his ability to channel emotion through every note.

Machado’s live performances are legendary—he’s played the national anthem at Madison Square Garden and Oracle Arena before crowds of over 20,000, always infusing classic pieces with his own creative flair. Whether leading supergroups like th1rt3en or dazzling audiences solo, Marcus Machado is redefining modern guitar.