In her career, Marion Hayden has been an important fixture in the Detroit area, playing bass with many top local musicians including Ernie Krivda, Wendell Harrison and Marcus Belgrave.

On July 16, 2012, she was among the many Detroit musicians who were celebrated in a special Detroit All-Star Revue concert sponsored by Don Was.

“Uncrowned King” starts with Hayden’s unaccompanied and creative string bass for the first two minutes.

The sextet then joins in, plays a spiritual-flavored melody, and features wailing and passionate solos from tenor-saxophonist Vincent Bowens, trumpeter Rayse Biggs, and altoist Cassius Richmond.

Hayden drives the band, which also includes pianist Mike Jellick and drummer Sean Dobbins, during this modern hard bop number.

-Scott Yanow