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.
Tags
All About Jazz Articles
Take Five With...
Read more articlesArticles Across the Web
...or were mentioned in an All About Jazz article.
October 24, 2023
Markus Rutz Trio Releases 'Moods & Spirits Of The Season,' Its First...
August 18, 2023
Introducing New Subscriptions From Rutz Music Works
December 16, 2022
Chicago Trumpeter & Composer Markus Rutz announces new...
November 22, 2022
Chicago-Based Trumpeter & Composer Markus Rutz Launches New Website
December 20, 2021
Markus Rutz Plays one Saturday In September: Live From Merrimans’...
October 23, 2021
For Your Grammy Consideration: Blueprints Figure Two: New Designs by...
August 20, 2021
Markus Rutz In Conversation With Journeys Into Jazz Radio Host
June 07, 2021
The Rose Rhapsody: A New Podcast From The Rose Theatre Co. and Rutz...
September 12, 2020
New Release By Markus Rutz - Blueprints Figure Two: New Designs
October 05, 2019
Trumpeter Markus Rutz Album Release Concert at PianoForte Studios in...
"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