Marquis Hill – Indy Jazz Fest 2024
Trumpeter Marquis Hill hails from Chicago where I have been fortunate to watch him grow through the years, first in The Jazz Institute of Chicago’s Jazz Links education and mentoring programs, as well as seeing his performances around town. What a pleasure to see him performing across the international jazz scene, including my latest trip to the Detroit Jazz Festival, as well as to have been booked as part of the Sunset Series for Indy Jazz Fest on September 22, 2024.
Hill is defining his own music under what he refers to as the African-American creative heritage, melding musical genres together and offering a powerful statement of what this music means in the world. With two very different sets this past weekend, it was the second set that offered a fiery solo from the young and very talented Joel Ross on vibes and a duo with he and Hill that set the two sets apart.
Manasseh Croft joined the band late in each set, offering vocals on a couple of tunes to the delight of the crowd. Bringing a very soulful vibe to the music, I expect we will be hearing more from Croft in the future.
Not to leave any doubt, the band was killer in support of that special sound and mastery that Hill brings to his instrument, with another Chicago native, Joel Ross on vibes, Mike King on keys, Kyle Miles on bass, and the amazing Corey Fonville on drums.
Another homerun night for Indy Jazz Fest 2024. Come on out for the music – there is more great concerts in the week ahead!
All Photographs ©2024 Mark Sheldon
For more on Marquis Hill, go here https://www.marquishill.com/
For more on Indy Jazz Fest, go here https://www.indyjazzfest.net/
For more of Mark's photos, go here https://www.instagram.com/marksheldonpix/
