BIO
Actor | Voice Talent | Syndicated Broadcaster | Pitmaster
Marcellus “The Bassman” Shepard—famously known as "The Man With the Voice"—is a titan of the airwaves with over 30 years of experience in commercial and public radio. Renowned for his signature deep resonance, he serves as the co-host of the nationally syndicated “Cool Jazz Countdown.” The program reaches audiences via SiriusXM and more than 34 stations nationwide through NPR Satellite Distribution, including major markets like Atlanta, Miami, Jackson, and San Juan.
His excellence in broadcasting has earned him multiple nominations for Jazz Presenter of the Year and Jazz Programmer of the Year at the JazzWeek Awards. Beyond the mic, he has been honored with the Emerald Award from The Links, Inc. for his contributions to the arts and recently secured a Telly Award for his digital production work.
A Master of Voice & Screen
With over 15 years as an elite voice actor, Marcellus has lent his iconic tone to major brands including Morgan & Morgan, Sheetz, Hanes, DoorDash, and the DC Lottery. He is also a calming presence in the wellness space, narrating meditation and sleep stories for top-tier apps like Calm, Slumber, and Memorize.
His talents extend to the screen with notable roles in high-profile productions, including the HBO/Max series We Own This City and the Netflix film Shirley. A social media powerhouse, his versatile content frequently goes viral—most notably a mock weather report that amassed over 1.1 million views on Facebook.
Stage Presence & Community Impact
A premier emcee, Marcellus has graced the stages of the Capital Jazz Festival, the Detroit International Jazz Festival,and numerous national pageants within the Miss America and International organizations. His television credits include hosting Comcast’s The Baltimore Buzz and a holiday special for AARP TV.
When he isn’t behind a microphone or a camera, he is behind the grill. As a certified Pitmaster, he launched Bassman’s BBQ, bringing his celebrated "finger-lickin'" pop-ups to food lovers across the DMV.
Service & Legacy
Marcellus remains deeply committed to his community. Alongside his wife of 29 years, DeShawn (Mrs. Maryland International 2006), he co-founded Project Goodwill in 2003. Together, they provide essential supplies, meals, and support to the homeless population in Washington, D.C., and Maryland. He is a proud alumnus of Morgan State University and a member of both Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Follow "The Bassman" on social media to keep up with his latest projects!
His excellence in broadcasting has earned him multiple nominations for Jazz Presenter of the Year and Jazz Programmer of the Year at the JazzWeek Awards. Beyond the mic, he has been honored with the Emerald Award from The Links, Inc. for his contributions to the arts and recently secured a Telly Award for his digital production work.
A Master of Voice & Screen
With over 15 years as an elite voice actor, Marcellus has lent his iconic tone to major brands including Morgan & Morgan, Sheetz, Hanes, DoorDash, and the DC Lottery. He is also a calming presence in the wellness space, narrating meditation and sleep stories for top-tier apps like Calm, Slumber, and Memorize.
His talents extend to the screen with notable roles in high-profile productions, including the HBO/Max series We Own This City and the Netflix film Shirley. A social media powerhouse, his versatile content frequently goes viral—most notably a mock weather report that amassed over 1.1 million views on Facebook.
Stage Presence & Community Impact
A premier emcee, Marcellus has graced the stages of the Capital Jazz Festival, the Detroit International Jazz Festival,and numerous national pageants within the Miss America and International organizations. His television credits include hosting Comcast’s The Baltimore Buzz and a holiday special for AARP TV.
When he isn’t behind a microphone or a camera, he is behind the grill. As a certified Pitmaster, he launched Bassman’s BBQ, bringing his celebrated "finger-lickin'" pop-ups to food lovers across the DMV.
Service & Legacy
Marcellus remains deeply committed to his community. Alongside his wife of 29 years, DeShawn (Mrs. Maryland International 2006), he co-founded Project Goodwill in 2003. Together, they provide essential supplies, meals, and support to the homeless population in Washington, D.C., and Maryland. He is a proud alumnus of Morgan State University and a member of both Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Follow "The Bassman" on social media to keep up with his latest projects!
