Markus Rutz

Markus Rutz

Musicians | Instrument: Trumpet | Location: Chicago

Rutz's horn is warm and embracing in each setting, glistening on the more Spartan themes, making the various colors and textures presented here woven like a Raphael tapestry.

—George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly

Updated: October 30, 2023

Born: June 2

Markus Rutz plays trumpet with bluesy, soulful style and a tone that has been called gorgeous. He composes music from his home base in Chicago, Illinois where he also performs modern jazz.

For over three decades, the musical discoveries continue for Chicago-born jazz composer and trumpeter, Markus Rutz.

As described by Downbeat’s J.D. Considine, with his “big, dark tone and a fluid ease to his phrasing,” trumpet player, composer and bandleader, Markus regularly delights audiences in venues throughout his hometown and across the United States.

Capturing the same spirit as his dynamic live performances, 2019 marked the release of his third album, Blueprints – Figure One: Frameworks. With the majority of the album comprised of his own compositions, this new work ranges from duet to sextet, with pieces incorporating Cuban percussion, ballad, bop, West Coast Cool and swing.

Markus began trumpet at the age of nine. His post-secondary musical studies took him to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Berklee College of Music and the University of New Orleans where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.

Forever exploring the bounds of jazz, Markus continues to teach, compose and perform with top musicians from around the globe – plying his horn from New York to London to Brazil and Japan. Open-minded and curious, his musical journey benefits from all that is new and unexpected, courtesy of his global collaborators.

Look for his fourth album to release in 2020.



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"Rutz's horn is warm and embracing in each setting, glistening on the more Spartan themes, making the various colors and textures presented here woven like a Raphael tapestry." George W. Harris - Jazz Weekly "With Blueprints, his fourth album, Markus Rutz has fashioned a post-Hargrove presence and awareness of his talent. A planned 2020 release could easily vault him further into the national spotlight. He has certainly lifted himself and his friends into the upper level of my CD stack." Jeff Cebulski - Chicago Jazz Magazine "...a tuneful, rhythmically sly twist on mainstream jazz..." DOWNBEAT "Rutz has a big, dark tone and a fluid ease to his phrasing that makes him seem relaxed even when unleashing a volley of 16th notes..." DOWNBEAT "Wonderful work from the Chicago scene – a timeless effort with titles that are Chicago and Illinois prairie-centric in theme – and compositions musically rich enough to touch on diverse strains of small combo jazz, from bluesy to fossa-steeped!" Dusty Groove, Inc.

Primary Instrument

Trumpet

Location

Chicago

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Miles Davis
trumpet

Simone

From: Blueprints Figure Two: New...
By Markus Rutz