Hey There, Friends!
This week we chat with our new cousin Marcus Johnson, an independent Billboard-ranked musician, NAACP Image Award nominee, owner of FLO Brands and FLO Wine, JD and MBA, philanthropist, father, friend... and so much more!
What is FLO (For the Love Of)? It represents the journey through which we discover those things in life that fulfill us and make each experience a little better. For the love of life, self, happiness, passion, joy…love itself.
While pursuing his JD and MBA at Georgetown, he independently produced and distributed his first CD (Lessons in Love), which sold more than 40,000 units; a phenomenal success for an unknown independent artist’s debut release. This album helped him launch his career as a renowned jazz keyboardist/pianist, and later, he released his second CD (Inter Alia), with staggering success
This success caught the attention of Black Entertainment Television (BET) founder and businessman Robert L. Johnson, who invested and partnered with Marcus to establish Marimelj Entertainment Group. Under their partnership, MEG’s label Three Keys Music housed Studio 8121, a full-service recording studio, and two music publishing companies: Marimelj Music Publishing and Three Keys Music Publishing.
As head of Three Keys Music, Johnson produced and released on the Three Keys Music label national jazz artists: Michael Lington, Jaared Arosemena, Bobby Lyle, Nick Colionne, R&B singer, Alyson Williams, neo-soul songstress, Zahzarah; and smooth jazz Saxophonists Phillip Martin and Brian Lenair.
To date, Marcus has released more than fifteen Billboard charted CDs, and has the distinction of having his groundbreaking 2008 Billboard Top 20 Contemporary Jazz FLO (For the Love Of) Anthology, which consisted of three distinct CDs -- FLO Chill, FLO Romance and FLO Standards - all chart Top 10 on Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts simultaneously.
The release of Poetically Justified (2009) and This is How I Rock (2011), which were Top 20 Contemporary Jazz CDs, solidified Marcus Johnson as the heir apparent to the funky urban groove music style and sound made famous by legendary jazz greats, George Duke and Herbie Hancock.
FLO {for the love of...} represents the journey through which we discover those things in life that fulfill us and make each experience a little better; for the love of life, self, happiness, passion, joy…love itself. FLO Wine is but one expression. Named a top 10 Celebrity Wine by USA Today.
Marcus Johnson's Sips & Sounds are uniquely curated tasting experiences featuring sips from Flo Wine; varietals Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and our new Rosé, and Jazz sounds by Marcus Johnson with a special music set customized to the region/location we’re in.
The Sips + Sounds tasting experience strives to go “Behind the Apron” with collaborations highlighting diverse/minority-owned catering companies and/ or chefs that create exclusive culinary pairings with Flo Wine.
The Rosé gives bright, floral aromas of lilac and rose petal with flavors of fresh strawberry and raspberry on the palate. It is light in body with refreshing acidity and a crisp, clean finish.
The Chardonnay uses minimal oak, allowing the bright fruit to take center stage. Well-balanced, it offers Lemon and citrus notes with a hint of green apple. Flavors of tropical fruit, baked fig and vanilla with buttery overtones on the finish.
