Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Marvin started playing the saxophone at the age of nine. He attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, class of 2018, where his foundation for performance and composition blossomed. While at LaGuardia High School, Marvin performed with prestigious bands throughout New York City such as the Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Orchestra, as well as the Afro Latin Jazz Fat Cats led by Arturo O’Farrill. Carter has been a featured soloist with Arturo O’Farrill’s three-time GRAMMY award winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra at Birdland Jazz Club in NYC.

All under the age of eighteen, Carter attended the Brubeck Institute in Sacramento, California, was a member of the 2017 Vail Jazz All Stars in Vail, Colorado, and was selected to go on tour with the Herbie Hancock Peer-to-Peer All-Star Jazz Sextet in San Diego under the direction of Dr. JB Dyas. His musical journey expanded globally when Carter went on tour with the JALC Youth Orchestra in London, England in 2018.

Marvin then went on to attend The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music where he graduated in the Spring of 2022. Marvin studied with distinguished artists such as Dick Oatts, Seamus Blake, David Glasser, Darius Jones, and Will Vinson - just to name a few. Carter has worked with NEA Jazz Masters including Joanne Brackeen, Jimmy Owens, Jimmy Heath, and Reggie Workman. Carter has performed with Reggie Workman’s New Stars on This Horizon ensemble at the 2020 PJS Jazz Society festival. Marvin was selected to represent The New School internationally at the Bihmuis in Amsterdam and the 48th annual Bern Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Marvin has performed at some of the most recognized venues and music festivals in the world including NYC Winter Jazzfest with the Revive Big Band led by Igmar Thomas at Brooklyn Bowl.

Carter has recorded with jazz master, Joe Chambers, on his newest album Dance Kobina which will be released on February 3rd, 2023. Carter is featured on tracks “Ruth” and “Power to the People”. 

Marvin Carter is currently playing with his own band throughout NYC at notable establishments and will be releasing his own album - coming very soon.