The Midwest Jazz Interview
Clinic Synopsis:
Frank Alkyer, publisher of Downbeat Magazine, will interview Marcus Printup.
Frank Alkyer
- Biographical Information
Frank Alkyer is the editor and publisher of DownBeat magazine, the world’s leading jazz publication. Under his direction, DownBeat has transitioned from a quality print magazine publisher to producing print and digital editions, websites, books and e-newsletters that are distributed around the globe. He has served as an adjunct professor of journalism and a television host as well as being a featured speaker and moderator at variety of industry events including Best In Show at NAMM shows and The Midwest Jazz Interview at the Midwest Clinic. He is a founding board member of Jazz Alliance International and the Jazz Education Network and has served as an advisory board member of the Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz and the Litchfield Jazz Festival. In 2018, he received the Jazz Legends Award from the Tri-C Jazz Festival in Cleveland and the Chicago Jazz Institute’s Irma J. Pickens Outstanding Jazz Advocate award. Alkyer also serves as the president of Music Inc. and UpBeat Daily magazines — those, along with DownBeat, are produced by Maher Publications, based in Elmhurst, Ill.
Marcus Printup - Biographical Information
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.
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.
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