Professor McKay graduated with a BM in jazz studies from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and a MM in jazz studies performance from the Indiana University – Jacob School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana.

Marlin has shared the stage with an extensive range of artists and genres, such as:

The Temptations, Joe Marcinek Band featuring Bernie Worrell, the Indianapolis Jazz Collective, Stefon Harris, Bobby Watson, Slide Hampton, Sean Jones, Wycliffe Gordon, Cecil Brooks III, Walter Blanding Jr. Bruce Williams, Jason Marshall, Terrell Stafford, the Louisville Orchestra, the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, the Music Man, Chorus Line, Phantom of the Opera, the Four Tops, Steve Allee and the Magic Hour, Javon Jackson, Rob Dixon, Tim Hagans, Luis Bonilla, Donny McCaslin, John Scofield, Kurt Elling, Bobby McFerrin, Ben Williams, Jesse Palter, Mikel Avery, Marquis Hill, Matt Muehling, Wayne Salzmann II, the Bad Ass Brass, the Family Stone.

Marlin is a Hammond Design Brand Ambassador.