Marshall Gilkes was born in Camp Springs, Maryland to a musical family; his mother was a classical vocalist and pianist and his father was a Euphonium player in the US Air Force Band in Washington DC and, later, conductor of several Air Force bands including the premier US Air Force Academy Band in Colorado Springs, CO. Due to his father's military profession, he had an itinerant upbringing in Washington, D.C., New Hampshire, New Jersey, Alabama, Illinois, and Colorado.

His teachers include Joseph Alessi, Conrad Herwig, CMSgt (ret) Mark Burditt, Buddy Baker, Ed Neumeister, and Wycliffe Gordon.

In the Latin music community, he has performed with Machito,[2] Giovanni Hidalgo, Chico O'Farrill, Tito Nieves, Big 3 Palladium Orchestra, Raulin Rosendo, Ray Sepúlveda, Eddie Santiago, José Alberto "El Canario", and Iroko La Banda.

Köln received two Grammy nominations for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album and Best Instrumental Composition.

[3] With The Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra With The Ryan Keberle Double Quartet With Edmar Castañeda With David Berger With others