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Markus Rutz

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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Take Five With...

Take Five with Markus Rutz

Read "Take Five with Markus Rutz" reviewed by Markus Rutz


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

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2

Recording

Markus Rutz Trio Releases 'Moods & Spirits Of The Season,' Its First Album For The Holidays

Markus Rutz Trio Releases 'Moods & Spirits Of The Season,' Its First Album For The Holidays

Source: Markus Rutz

Markus Rutz Chicago musician & composer, will release his first-ever holiday album, Moods & Spirits of the Season. Seasons of year brings to mind feelings, sights, aromas and sounds, and includes covers of classic traditional seasonal songs with original arrangements. The album features Rutz bright yet subdued interpretation of seasonal standards including: Blue Christmas Christmas Time Is Here Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah Let It Snow Oh Holy Night Winter Wonderland “The holiday season carries many associations of faith, traditions, families, cities ...

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Music Industry

Introducing New Subscriptions From Rutz Music Works

Introducing New Subscriptions From Rutz Music Works

Source: Markus Rutz

This week a new page called In The Loop has been launched from Markus Rutz Music Works. The subscription selections are The Chicagoan & The Global Citizen. These continue an ongoing newsletter and expands to include offerings for those who become subscribers. Engagement with music making is in the form of access to recording catalog, videos, sheet music, merchandise and live performances. With this style of support from music aficionados anywhere inside or outside of Chicago, more opportunities to create ...

5

Recording

Chicago Trumpeter & Composer Markus Rutz announces new album 'Storybook'

Chicago Trumpeter & Composer Markus Rutz announces new album 'Storybook'

Source: Lydia Liebman Promotions

JMARQ Records is pleased to announce the February 17, 2023 release of Storybook, celebrated trumpeter and composer Markus Rutz’ sixth studio release as a bandleader. Fresh off the heels of the release of his critically acclaimed albums Blueprints – Figure One, Blueprints – Figure Two, and One Saturday in September, Rutz’ new innovative work takes listeners on a musical journey from past to present, telling the story of Rutz’ early musical inspirations and education while reflecting on the musical vibrancy of modern-day Chicago. Rutz is in great company ...

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Music Industry

Chicago-Based Trumpeter & Composer Markus Rutz Launches New Website

Chicago-Based Trumpeter & Composer Markus Rutz Launches New Website

Source: Markus Rutz

Just this autumn I've refined my website and am very happy about the newest version. It's easy to peruse the content within the pages and some more features have been added. One feature available is a share button. For any tune or album that you may enjoy, the option to send a link directly to any place or person is easy to do whether within a social media space or a personal email or text. There are free music download ...

1

Recording

Markus Rutz Plays one Saturday In September: Live From Merrimans’ Playhouse—Available Now

Markus Rutz Plays one Saturday In September: Live From Merrimans’ Playhouse—Available Now

Source: Markus Rutz

With this fifth recording as a leader, Markus Rutz invites listeners to a seat for a live performance from “A Home for Jazz” in the Midwest, Merrimans’ Playhouse in South Bend, Indiana. Many performances are stellar nights of good feeling and shared experience that exist only in that time and space where others do not have the opportunity to hear the magic. Well You Needn’t fret because the fire and Serenity of the evening was documented on these tracks recorded One Saturday in September at this ...

5

Recording

For Your Grammy Consideration: Blueprints Figure Two: New Designs by Markus Rutz

For Your Grammy Consideration: Blueprints Figure Two: New Designs by Markus Rutz

Source: Markus Rutz

My record project Blueprints has lots of love within it. It is about and for people from my life through the present. For the listening reception, beautiful commentary, reviews, support and goodwill I am saying thank you sincerely! The second volume Blueprints Figure Two: New Designs was released last autumn and right now the album is up for nomination consideration as this year's GRAMMY best instrumental Jazz album! It’s a thrill to have the honor of announcing the award consideration! ...

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Interview

Markus Rutz In Conversation With Journeys Into Jazz Radio Host

Markus Rutz In Conversation With Journeys Into Jazz Radio Host

Source: Markus Rutz

Listen in for Chicago-based trumpeter / composer Markus Rutz's conversation with Chuck France of WORT Radio in Madison, Wisconsin. The interview was originally broadcast on June 2nd and the episode is accessible until end of August in the WORT archives (scroll down to August 18th Journeys Into Jazz rebroadcast). Markus had an opportunity to discuss his personal journey in music, The Rose Rhapsody, and their mutual friend Richard Davis. About Markus Rutz Markus Rutz plays the trumpet with a bluesy, ...

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Music Industry

The Rose Rhapsody: A New Podcast From The Rose Theatre Co. and Rutz Music Works

The Rose Rhapsody: A New Podcast From The Rose Theatre Co. and Rutz Music Works

Source: Markus Rutz

Chicago-based trumpeter Markus Rutz was recently commissioned by The Rose Theatre, Co. to arrange and orchestrate “Rhapsody in Blue," by the great American Songbook composer, George Gershwin. His arrangement of the iconic melody will become the musical thread through The Rose's ‘21-’22 Season and the signature music for The Rose Rhapsody Podcast set to debut June 7th, 2021, dropping new episodes with new arrangements the first Monday of every month. Together with his collaborator Adrian Joel Ruiz, Rutz has created ...

3

Recording

New Release By Markus Rutz - Blueprints Figure Two: New Designs

New Release By Markus Rutz - Blueprints Figure Two: New Designs

Source: Markus Rutz

Markus Rutz Music (MRM) and OA2 Records announce the second volume of Blueprints – Figure Two: New Designs, the latest jazz expression from the jny: Chicago trumpeter/composer. An album of passion, balladry, moods and foot tapping groove, Blueprints Figure Two: New Designs is the second volume of new music. Figure Two picks up at present in the present of the musical journey for Rutz. With Figure One Rutz made deliberate decision to honor others in his life who have influenced ...

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Event

Trumpeter Markus Rutz Album Release Concert at PianoForte Studios in Chicago set for October 11th

Trumpeter Markus Rutz Album Release Concert at PianoForte Studios in Chicago set for October 11th

Source: Markus Rutz

Blueprints – Figure One: Frameworks reveals the heart of an artist and his appreciation for the influences that surround him. Tickets for this exclusive 7:30pm event are available now and directly from Pianoforte Studios. Pianoforte Studios 1335 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60605 ph. (312) 291-0000 Brice Winston is featured guest on saxophone and on bass is Marcos Varela. “Rutz has a big, dark tone and a fluid ease to his phrasing that makes ...

"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

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Storybook

JMARQ Records
2023

buy

Moods & Spirits of...

Self Produced
2023

buy

One Saturday in...

Rutz Music Works (self-released)
2022

buy

Second Impression -...

Self Produced
2015

buy

Simone

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

Videos

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