Marquis Hill grew up on the south side of Chicago during the ‘90s golden age of hip-hop. Wu-Tang Clan, 2Pac and the Notorious B.I.G. were the soundtrack for most boys his age. Yet Hill found himself drawn to the vintage sounds of blues, gospel, ‘60s soul and, above all, jazz. He was exposed to it by his elementary band teacher Mrs. Ellis, who gifted him trumpeter Lee Morgan’s 1958 album Candy on CD, not knowing it would kickstart one of the most accomplished jazz careers of the last 15 years.
Since 2012, Hill has won several awards and worked alongside renowned musicians like Chicago legend Ramsey Lewis. In 2014 he was the winner of the Thelonious Monk International Trumpet Competition which led him to have a recording contract with Concord Music Group and a $25,000 music scholarship. He also owns his own label, Black Unlimited Music Group imprint, of which he’s released five albums with.
He’s one of several artists headlining the Edmonton International Jazz Festival with his group, the Blacktet. Having performed in Edmonton before before the pandemic, he’s excited to be back and “bring this new group and this new music to the people.”
Playing the trumpet wasn’t Hill’s first instrument of choice. He wanted to be a drummer initially, until watching his older cousin play — a memory etched in his mind forever. “I quickly fell in love with the trumpet and the sound, and the entire motion of breathing, and creating this almost human-like sound through an instrument,” he recalls.
Physically playing the trumpet is only one part of the entire experience. There’s the performance aspect as well, which for Hill, isn’t necessarily black and white. Every night is different, from the energy on stage, to the sounds emanating from the instruments. “I like to refer to the stage as a sanctuary. It’s a very sacred space where vulnerability is required.”
Hill describes performing as “a chase,” something a little indescribable. “It’s an energy thing. You’re trying to chase, not perfection, but you’re trying to chase being the best person you can be in the moment, and sharing that with the people,” he says.
Hill will perform at Jazzfest at the Yardbird Suite on Saturday, June 28 at 8:30 p.m. Festival Tickets range from $12 to $57 depending on the performance. The festival runs from June 21 to 29, at various venues across the city.
