I love a great trumpet player and Markus Rutz is a master at his instrument. This Chicago-based trumpeter has audiences enamored with his style. His music is blues and soul-infused and coming from a windy city does not surprise me. His phrasing is fluid and live you can capture his fantastic spirit. He started playing his instrument by age 9 and later went to Berklee College of Music and the University of New Orleans to hone his craft.

Markus Rutz loves exploring all the different sounds in jazz and from his travels around the world. Sounds from Brazil, Japan, London, and more. His music is modern jazz with a twist. He made his debut in 2015 with his self-produced album, Second Impression, and in 2019 his sophomore album Blue Prints Frame 1:Frameworks. I love that album especially the song “Gusto, as in Mucho” with its Latin rhythms. In 2020 his follow-up Blueprints Figure 2: Two Designs was a tribute to all those who have influenced him.

He just released his latest called Storybook and it’s already on constant repeat on my playlist. Listen to the song “Just for a Thrill” with its bluesy sway. We can’t wait for him to tour and hopefully plays some dates here in NYC. Check out this super-talented trumpeter and support independent music and musicians. Happy listening!