Born into a large family in North Carolina, Marvin Hayes employed his bass-baritone voice in the US Army as part of the gospel choir "Wings Over Jordan". His singing teachers included Todd Duncan and Pierre Bernac (a highly respected singer, especially of French music). He considered his debut to be his Town Hall recital in New York City, sometime in the 1950s. Hayes eventually sang all over the US, often as the bass soloist in Beethoven's 9th Symphony. He lived his later years in Pacific Palisades and taught voice to a large number of students in Southern California. He was on the faculties of several area schools, including Pomona College. As a singer he was known for intense emotional involvement. As a teacher he was known for enthusiasm and a kind disposition. Many years after the death of his first wife, he married concert pianist Althea Waites.