While Greg Marcus was a key driver of last year’s United Way of Greater Milwaukee campaign as one of its three co-chairs, this year he will support the campaign from an entirely different position – one that puts him behind the keys.
Marcus, president and chief executive officer of Milwaukee-based The Marcus Corporation, will play the piano alongside bassist John Price at The Pfister Hotel’s Blu every Tuesday in September and October in support of nonprofits like United Way.
The duo’s performances are part of the lounge’s “Celebrity BLUtender” program, in which 10 percent of proceeds from Blu’s sales benefit specified organizations on designated nights.
Celebrity “BLUtenders” representing the participating organizations man the bar at Blu, and tips they receive also go toward their cause.
Marcus and Price’s performance will benefit the United Way campaign as this year’s campaign co-chairs take over as BLUtenders on a select Tuesday, the date of which is still being determined. United Way is also encouraging company executives running internal campaigns in support of the nonprofit to sign up to “BLUtend” on an upcoming Tuesday in order to boost their own fundraising efforts.
Other charity initiatives will benefit from BLUtender during the musicians’ other Tuesday evening performances.
Marcus, who is on the United Way of Greater Milwaukee’s Board of Directors and who also serves on the organization’s campaign cabinet, has been playing piano since childhood and has a particular affinity for jazz.
“I grew up with it,” Marcus said. “My grandfather on my mom’s side was a really good jazz piano player, so I grew up with it. So I’ve always liked it.”
With his musical talent, Marcus has played at The Pfister Hotel’s Mason Street Grill, Shank Hall, Milwaukee’s Jazz in the Park, and at various fundraisers as part of The Jazz Corporation.
Along with Marcus, the music group is comprised of guitarist Bill Bonifas of CBRE and the Mark Thierfelder Jazz Trio.
At Blu, Marcus and Price, who is a member of the Mark Thierfelder Jazz Trio, will stick to a lineup of jazz songs to add to the ambiance of the lounge.
The two will play from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. each Tuesday to infuse some fun into a collection of good causes.
“I do it for fun, and if it helps people raise some money then it’s fantastic,” Marcus said.
The Pfister Hotel is located at 424 E. Wisconsin Ave. in downtown Milwaukee.
