MARCUS PRINTUP
Trumpet
Born and raised in Conyers, Georgia, Marcus Printup's first musical experiences came from hearing the fiery gospel music his parents sang in church. He would later discover jazz as a senior in high school.
Marcus attended Georgia State University, then transferred to the University of North Florida on a music scholarship. It was during his studies at UNF that he competed and won the prestigious International Trumpet Guild Jazz Trumpet Competition.
In 1991, Mr. Printup's life would change when he met his mentor and friend-to-be, the incomparable pianist Marcus Roberts. Mr. Roberts introduced him to world renowned trumpeter, Wynton Marsalis which in time led to the invitation to join the Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra in 1993. Since then, Marcus has established and held third chair in the trumpet section and contributes regularly to the orchestra as an arranger and composer.
Among many others, Mr. Printup has performed/recorded with Betty Carter (an inductee into Ms. Carter's first Jazz Ahead class in 1994), Dianne Reeves, Eric Reed, Cyrus Chestnut, Wycliffe Gordon, and Marcus Roberts. He has also led multiple recordings on several major record jazz labels: Blue Note Records Song for the Beautiful Woman, Unveiled, Hub Songs, Nagel Heyer Records The New Boogaloo, Steeplechase Records Peace In The Abstract, Bird of Paradise, London Lullaby, Ballads All Night, A Time for Love, Homage, Desire, Lost, Young Bloods, and his latest, a collaboration with his wife Riza Printup, Gentle Rain.
Mr. Printup is sought out internationally as an educator. He is involved with programs such as JALC's Essentially Ellington Competition, The International Trumpet Guild, Montclair State University and Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead at the Kennedy Center. In 2019, Marcus and Riza established RiMarcable Music For Arts & Education (a 501c3 non-profit organization) to enrich and educate young audiences through the music of jazz. Together, the Printups created RiMarcable Publications LLC through which they publish their children's books and arrangements for big band and jazz combos.
Among many accolades, Mr. Printup is proud to have been granted a proclamation (2005) declaring August Twenty-Second as Marcus Printup Day in his home town of Conyers, Georgia.