Marius Billgobenson is the jazz musician of the century. Beautifully marrying jazz, R&B, soul, blues, and the rhythm and vocals of various indigenous African peoples, primarily from his homeland of the Congo, his message is of spreading love throughout the world. Marius is an advocate for the disenfranchised pygmy people of the Congo, using music as a tool to create a space for conversation and empathy. “Jazz creates a platform for people and leads them to the right decision,” he says. “It can also be a weapon to fight for civil rights, which will salvage the oppressed forest groups (aka “pygmies”) of the Congo by calling for political actions on the marginalized communities. Overall, jazz always leaves humanity better than it was yesterday. Music is my tool to passionately affect change worldwide.”
Marius’s newest album, Spirit of Love, is an 11 song album of personal and powerful songs grounded in what he calls “the completeness of gratitude in my heart” and explore love in different facets with the goal of inviting and motivating more “Love Spreaders” for a change. This jazzy and soulful album is deeply reminiscent of Stevie Wonder, Richard Bona, Paul Simon, and Bobby McFerrin.
Each song is a different take on Jazz, mixing it with gospel in “Tribes in Mind” and blending it with R&B in “Joy,” as just a few examples. While each song is different take and version of the smooth jazz genre, each song boasts the same message of love, both for each other as humans and with the Earth well all share.
“The Spirit Love is all about the way we experience the feeling of being alive, being ourselves and offering our unique gifts to others,” says Marius. “We remember the life source of energy in The Spirit Love, because you exist just as a consequence of love. All of the positive impact your have had in loving and strengthening your loved ones may reveal memories that make you feel strong and happy.”
You can find and connect with Marius via: Website Instagram Twitter Facebook YouTube Soundcloud Spotify