Who is Marcus Johnson?

Marcus Johnson is a Billboard-charting jazz pianist, entertainment attorney, and entrepreneur. He has released 23+ albums with multiple reaching Billboard's top 10 Contemporary Jazz charts, including several #1 albums. He holds a JD and MBA from Georgetown University (recipient of the Charles Healy Award, Georgetown's top alumni honor), is a professor at Howard University School of Law, and is the founder of FLO Brands — including FLO Wine (named a top 10 celebrity wine by USA Today) and FLO Lifestyle. He is a Biden Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, NAACP Image Award nominee, and Yamaha Jazz Artist.

What genre of music does Marcus Johnson play?

Marcus Johnson is a contemporary jazz pianist known for blending jazz with soul, R&B, Latin grooves, and funk. He is a Billboard-charting smooth and contemporary jazz artist and a Yamaha Jazz Artist. His sound has been compared to George Duke and Herbie Hancock. He has 23+ Billboard-charting albums and hosts Catch the FLO, a nationally distributed NPR jazz radio show.

What is FLO by Marcus Johnson?

FLO stands for 'For the Love Of' — a lifestyle philosophy and brand ecosystem created by Marcus Johnson. FLO encompasses FLO Wine (recognized by USA Today as a top 10 celebrity wine, produced in Napa Valley, Sonoma, and Lodi, California), FLO Lifestyle candles (the Scents + Sounds experience), the FLO Experience live music series, and Catch the FLO, a nationally distributed NPR radio show.

Where does Marcus Johnson perform live?

Marcus Johnson performs nationally and internationally at jazz clubs, festivals, theaters, and cruise events. He has a recurring live series at Busboys and Poets venues across the Washington DC/Maryland/Virginia area, and performs at venues including SOUTH Jazz Club in Philadelphia and Bethesda Blues & Jazz. Upcoming FLO Experience events are listed at marcusjohnson360.com/events.

What are Marcus Johnson's credentials as an attorney and professor?

Marcus Johnson holds a JD and MBA from Georgetown University, where he received the Charles Healy Award — Georgetown's highest alumni honor. He is a professor at Howard University School of Law (Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts), teaching Entertainment Law including contracts, licensing, NIL deals, and artist branding. He has lectured at Harvard University, Georgetown University, Cornell University, and Howard University, and serves on the board of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

How can I book Marcus Johnson for a performance or speaking engagement?

Marcus Johnson is available for live performances, keynote speaking, workshops, and university lectures through NuParadigm, Inc. Contact via email at booking@marcusjohnson360.com or marcus@marcusjohnson360.com. Speaking topics include music business, entertainment law, entrepreneurship, personal development, NIL, and the FLO philosophy.

What awards has Marcus Johnson received?

Marcus Johnson is a Biden Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, NAACP Image Award nominee, Georgetown University Charles Healy Award recipient, and a Yamaha Jazz Artist. He has 23+ Billboard-charting albums including several that reached #1. His 2008 FLO Anthology made history with three CDs charting simultaneously in the Billboard top 10. FLO Wine was named a top 10 celebrity wine by USA Today.

Marcus Johnson at ESSENCE Fest 2026: Legacy, Ownership & Unlocking the Fear Around AI

ICYMI — Howard University’s The Dig featured me coming off the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans, where I joined the New Voices “We Love Us” Marketplace Stage for a panel called “Purpose and Profit in Practice: Designing a Legacy That Pays Off,” alongside Tonya Rutherford of Nia Ford Consulting and moderator Lyndsae’ Peele of Kiva U.S.

We talked about legacy — the kind you build on purpose — ownership, entrepreneurship, and demystifying AI for our community. As I told the room: “We are more fear-based with it. I really wanted to unlock them from the shackles of fear.”

The piece also traces the FLO journey — from the basement of Howard’s College of Fine Arts to a Blue Note Records demo deal as a sophomore, to teaching entertainment law and business today.

Read the full feature on Howard’s The Dig →

For the love of the journey. — MJ

Marcus JohnsonJuly 13, 2026