Departments
Roots, Jazz, and American Music
Courses Taught
Private Lessons
Ensembles
Awards
Marcus Printup Day in my hometown of Conyers, Ga.
Winner of International Trumpet Guild Jazz competition
Most Outstanding Citizen Award in 7th grade
Ensembles
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
Q&A
What is your hometown?
Conyers, Georgia
What are you passionate about outside of music?
My faith, my wife and fantasy football!
What is a favorite quote that you repeatedly tell students?
“As musicians, we have the power to touch and heal people. That, in turn, touches and heals us.” Marcus Printup
What was the defining moment when you decided to pursue music as a career?
I was a waiter during my sophomore year in college. One of my customers had a birthday and my boss asked me to play HAPPY BIRTHDAY for them.
I remember being stressed and slammed with orders, but I went to get my horn from the car.
I remember playing the first few notes. All the mayhem suddenly paused, and everyone focused their attention to me. By the time I finished (with a flourishing high note at the end!!), everyone applauded! It felt amazing. I vividly remember going to the backroom and placing my horn back in the case. I gave it a long stare, and a sigh. It was at that moment I realized that music is my purpose.
What was a turning point in your career?
1993! That was the year that everything changed for me. I started playing with my idol, Wynton Marsalis (still going strong after 30+ years), got a record deal with Blue Note Records and performed with the Legendary vocalist, Betty Carter.
What is your daily practice routine?
It varies. I try to get in fundamentals everyday. Long tones, tonguing exercises, finger and flexibility exercises.
From a music history perspective, what year and city are most important to you, and why?
1985 in Georgia. I fell in love with Jazz. I remember watching the Grammy Awards the following year. I didn’t recognize ANY of the new Pop artists because my listening world changed!
What is your unrealized project?
I would love to record with strings!!!!
What do you think makes a concert experience unique?
Sincerity in the performance. When the musician is passionate about sharing their heart, the audience will pick up on it and feel it.
What recordings can we hear you on?
Gentle Rain (with Riza Printup) - STEEPLECHASE RECORDS
The New Boogaloo - NAGEL-HEYER RECORDS
Unveiled - BLUE NOTE RECORDS
Biography
Born and raised in Conyers, Georgia, Marcus Printup's first musical experiences came from hearing the fiery gospel music his parents sang in church.
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, pianist Marcus Roberts. 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 a position 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.
Mr. Printup has 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 Summer Jazz Academy, Global Musicians Workshop (Silkroad), 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.
Mr. Printup endorses Lotus Trumpets and Schagerl Flugelhorns.