LES MARSDEN was a musically precocious child - the annoying type best sent to another room, preferably on another planet. Piano lessons began at age 4; he was a credentialed piano teacher by age 11. He added trumpet at age 9 and rapidly expanded to other brass, string and wind instruments – and concert grand (pedal) harp. As a pre-teen/teen he performed in recitals and with chamber ensembles as pianist/harpsichordist. He composed his first symphony at age 13 and for many years was the principal trumpet of ensembles including the California Honor Orchestra and the Fresno Junior Philharmonic.

His fascination with composing and conducting were nurtured by Maestro Guy Taylor of the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra. Under Taylor’s tutelage and encouragement, Marsden conducted the FJP in performances of his own works. As a teen he also acted in local theatre; upon entering college (CSUFresno) Marsden opted for a stage career over music simply because it appeared to be an even more absurd field in which one could possibly dare to make a living. While still a college student he wrote, produced and starred in his own one-man show A Night at Harpo’s with the full assistance of Harpo Marx’s widow Susan, children and numerous Marx associates. Susan – who would introduce Marsden to friends as “Harpo’s and my fifth kid” was in the front row on opening night of A Night at Harpo’s in its sold-out run at CSUFresno. The show was booked in Las Vegas, and then internationally at Scotland’s Edinburgh Festival – heady stuff for a young man in his early 20s. That show served as his entry into professional show business. As a teenager he had cajoled his way into the home and life of the elderly Groucho Marx, who gave Marsden his imprimatur. Marsden also performed as Groucho for many years to acclaim. Maxine Marx, daughter of the third primary Marx Brother – Chico – referred to herself as “Les’ East Coast Ma” – especially during the many years when Marsden, his wife and son lived in Manhattan and vicinity.

Groucho’s son Arthur Marx attended a performance of the Los Angeles production of his musical play Minnie’s Boys in which Marsden starred as his father back-to-back with a production of Marsden’s A Night at Harpo’s in which Marsden played his Uncle Harpo. Marx and his writing partner Bob Fisher consequently wrote the play Groucho: A Life in Revue and in it, created the DUAL role of Harpo and Chico Marx specifically for Marsden. In addition to playing both brothers in and out of their well-known film personae, he also stunned audiences by playing lengthy virtuosic piano and harp solos in each brother’s distinctive style. A huge hit in New York, that stage show then played London’s West End to even more acclaim, with Marsden nominated for London’s prestigious Laurence Olivier Award for “Comedy Performance of the Year,” an award considered to be the world’s greatest acting honor.

In a mainstream career of over 4,000 performances, he received the London Critics Award and many more while starring internationally in stage dramas, comedies and musicals ranging from Chekhov to Cole Porter and Neil Simon to Shakespeare. Marsden was also featured in countless appearances on film, TV and commercials. He was honored to work with Albert Finney (whom he also directed,) Robert Redford, Vanessa Redgrave, Burt Reynolds, the late Charles Nelson Reilly (one America’s finest stage directors) and Jeremy Irons to name only a few. While starring in a play in 1999 at Washington DC’s famed Arena Stage, Marsden had an onstage accident with a mis-set piece of stage scenery resulting in a permanent career-ending injury to his left leg.

In a mainstream career of over 4,000 performances, he received the London Critics Award and many more while starring internationally in stage dramas, comedies and musicals ranging from Chekhov to Cole Porter and Neil Simon to Shakespeare. Marsden was also featured in countless appearances on film, TV and commercials. He was honored to work with Albert Finney (whom he also directed,) Robert Redford, Vanessa Redgrave, Burt Reynolds, the late Charles Nelson Reilly (one America’s finest stage directors) and Jeremy Irons to name only a few. While starring in a play in 1999 at Washington DC’s famed Arena Stage, Marsden had an onstage accident with a mis-set piece of stage scenery resulting in a permanent career-ending injury to his left leg.

Disabled and no longer able to perform his trademark highly physical roles, he retired at age 42. With no need to maintain homes on both sides of the Atlantic he, wife Diane and young son Maxfield returned to their native California to live near their beloved Yosemite. Finding the ennui of retirement at age 42 impossible to take, he plunged into a life of volunteerism in Mariposa County. He created his MSO “Young Master Composers Celebration,” “Meet Classical Music!” and “Acting in Mariposa” (AIM) programs for the Mariposa County Arts Council; as a Master Acting Teacher (as designated by the late Charles Nelson Reilly of Manhattan’s HB Studios,) his fundraising adult acting classes in Mariposa filled beyond capacity. A 2017 California Arts Council Artists Activating Communities Grant awarded to the MCACI impelled him to write the book, songs, libretti and incidental music for, and to direct: the successful premiere of his “The Story” - the first installment in his proposed cycle of Mariposa history plays.

In June 2018, he was asked to conduct the Wilderness – Our Necessary Refuge movement of his concert-length symphonic cycle Our Nation’s Nature with Fort Collins, Colorado’s Health and Wellness Orchestra. Surprised to discover during his onstage introduction that THAT orchestra had been created following Marsden’s example in Mariposa, he spontaneously named it the “sister orchestra” of the MSO to its delighted audience and musicians.

He’s been honored with the Golden Apple Award from the Madera-Mariposa Charter of the Association of California School Administrators for his arts education volunteer work in Mariposa County’s schools. Marsden has been an Arts Lecturer at the University of California, Merced. He served as a Board Director for 21 years and was asked to serve as President following the devastating 2012 fire of the Mariposa County Arts Council. He’s spent nearly two decades on the Board of the Mariposa County Economic Development Corporation, including multiple terms as President. He was elected to the maximum allowed six years on the Board of the Yosemite Gateway Partners Organization, with half that time as President. Marsden was honored to be named a National Park Service Centennial Ambassador in 2014.

Les Marsden is a member of Actors Equity, SAGAFTRA, the Conductors Guild, the National Association of Composers USA and is an American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP) Artist. When not spending all his waking hours on this orchestra, he’s asleep. But never for more than 15 minutes.

Aspects of his former career (with undue emphasis on the Marx Brothers) may be found at: https://tinyurl.com/LesCareer