by Phoebe Billups '19

The Marquis Hill Blacktet is the guest artist for the 2016 Jerome Mirza Jazz Residency, October 3-6 at Knox College. The residency brings jazz musicians at the top of their field to the Knox campus for a week of intensive and collaborative classes, workshops, rehearsals, lessons, and talks.

The residency also includes a free public concert, featuring the Marquis Hill Blacktet, Knox Jazz Ensemble, and Knox Jazz combos, on October 6 at 7:00 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre, 57 South Kellogg Street, Galesburg.

Marquis Hill, trumpeter, composer, and leader of the Marquis Hill Blacktet, is widely regarded as one of the preeminent trumpeters of his generation. He won the International Trumpet Guild competition in 2012 and Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trumpet Competition in 2014. 

The Marquis Hill Blacktet is rounded out by alto saxophonist Chris McBride, vibraphonist Justin Thomas, bassist Joshua Ramos, and drummer Makaya Craven.

The Jerome Mirza Jazz Residency is made possible by a grant from the Jerome Mirza Foundation of Bloomington, Illinois. It was founded by Jerome Mirza, an attorney and jazz enthusiast, who served as president of the Illinois State Bar Association and Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.

Since the Jerome Mirza Jazz Residency was inaugurated in 2013, the program has brought bassist Ben Allison, saxophonist Donny McCaslin, and drummer Matt Wilson to Galesburg for concerts and classes on the Knox campus and in the community.