Biography

Chicago native Marquis Hill (born 1987) draws on the lineage of Black American Music, fusing jazz, hip hop, Chicago House, R&B, and soul. Hill fell in love with jazz as a child after his band director gave him a copy of Lee Morgan’s Candy (1958), and other influences include Dizzy Gillespie, Donald Byrd, and Kenny Dorham. Since 2011, Hill’s main musical project has been his Blacktet. He has released all of his albums as a leader through his imprint Black Unlimited Music Group. Some of his most notable recordings include New Gospel (2011), Modern Flows Vols. I and II (2014 and 2018), and The Way We Play (2016). Hill’s idiosyncratic music has earned him many accolades, including first place in Downbeat Magazine’s 2016 Critic’s Poll “Rising Star Trumpet” category. Marquis Hill has collaborated with artists like Marcus Miller, Makaya McKraven, Joe Lovano, and Dee Dee Bridgewater, and maintains an active touring schedule with the Blacktet.