Markus Rutz & Third Coast Sounds delivers high-energy modern jazz that elevates any space. Our sound blends rich harmony, lyrical improvisation, and forward-driving grooves—featuring tuneful originals, inventive takes on standards, and fresh reinterpretations of contemporary, pop songs.
Performing as a trio, quartet, or quintet, the band is led by a distinctive trumpet voice, often joined by Chicago-based saxophone or trombone to create a bold and progressive horn sound.
From intimate listening rooms to dynamic stages, we bring nuance, energy, and a sound that resonates.
Markus Rutz is known for his blues-inflected, soulful trumpet voice and warm, gorgeous tone, earning favorable accolades and radio attention both nationally and internationally. His music is performed with a clear sense of fun and playfulness, balancing emotional depth with an inviting spirit.
As a composer, Rutz brings a broad range of writing experience and a diverse palette of sounds to his recordings. Original compositions remain central to Rutz’s work, with titles and themes paying homage to people, places, and the idea of unity.
His most recent recording, Many Moons, marks the ninth album from the well-regarded trumpeter and composer, following Storybook (2023) and Penumbra (2024).
The performances at Andy’s Jazz Club will feature selections from some of the recent recordings, known standards and new works from an upcoming, early 2027 release.
Featured on each of these records is long time musical partner Adrian Ruiz who along with Markus makes the core of the group Third Coast Sounds.
Markus Rutz performs, composes, and teaches from his home base in Chicago, Illinois.
RutzMusicWorks.com/home
Markus Rutz is known for his blues-inflected, soulful trumpet voice and warm, gorgeous tone, earning favorable accolades and radio attention both nationally and internationally. His music is performed with a clear sense of fun and playfulness, balancing emotional depth with an inviting spirit.
As a composer, Rutz brings a broad range of writing experience and a diverse palette of sounds to his recordings. Original compositions remain central to Rutz’s work, with titles and themes paying homage to people, places, and the idea of unity.
His most recent recording, Many Moons, marks the ninth album from the well-regarded trumpeter and composer, following Storybook (2023) and Penumbra (2024).
The performances at Andy’s Jazz Club will feature selections from some of the recent recordings, known standards and new works from an upcoming, early 2027 release.
Featured on each of these records is long time musical partner Adrian Ruiz who along with Markus makes the core of the group Third Coast Sounds.
Markus Rutz performs, composes, and teaches from his home base in Chicago, Illinois.
RutzMusicWorks.com/home
Markus Rutz is known for his blues-inflected, soulful trumpet voice and warm, gorgeous tone, earning favorable accolades and radio attention both nationally and internationally. His music is performed with a clear sense of fun and playfulness, balancing emotional depth with an inviting spirit.
As a composer, Rutz brings a broad range of writing experience and a diverse palette of sounds to his recordings. Original compositions remain central to Rutz’s work, with titles and themes paying homage to people, places, and the idea of unity.
His most recent recording, Many Moons, marks the ninth album from the well-regarded trumpeter and composer, following Storybook (2023) and Penumbra (2024).
The performances at Andy’s Jazz Club will feature selections from some of the recent recordings, known standards and new works from an upcoming, early 2027 release.
Featured on each of these records is long time musical partner Adrian Ruiz who along with Markus makes the core of the group Third Coast Sounds.
Markus Rutz performs, composes, and teaches from his home base in Chicago, Illinois.
RutzMusicWorks.com/home
Markus Rutz is known for his blues-inflected, soulful trumpet voice and warm, gorgeous tone, earning favorable accolades and radio attention both nationally and internationally. His music is performed with a clear sense of fun and playfulness, balancing emotional depth with an inviting spirit.
As a composer, Rutz brings a broad range of writing experience and a diverse palette of sounds to his recordings. Original compositions remain central to Rutz’s work, with titles and themes paying homage to people, places, and the idea of unity.
His most recent recording, Many Moons, marks the ninth album from the well-regarded trumpeter and composer, following Storybook (2023) and Penumbra (2024).
The performances at Andy’s Jazz Club will feature selections from some of the recent recordings, known standards and new works from an upcoming, early 2027 release.
Featured on each of these records is long time musical partner Adrian Ruiz who along with Markus makes the core of the group Third Coast Sounds.
Markus Rutz performs, composes, and teaches from his home base in Chicago, Illinois.
RutzMusicWorks.com/home
Markus Rutz is known for his blues-inflected, soulful trumpet voice and warm, gorgeous tone, earning favorable accolades and radio attention both nationally and internationally. His music is performed with a clear sense of fun and playfulness, balancing emotional depth with an inviting spirit.
As a composer, Rutz brings a broad range of writing experience and a diverse palette of sounds to his recordings. Original compositions remain central to Rutz’s work, with titles and themes paying homage to people, places, and the idea of unity.
His most recent recording, Many Moons, marks the ninth album from the well-regarded trumpeter and composer, following Storybook (2023) and Penumbra (2024).
The performances at Andy’s Jazz Club will feature selections from some of the recent recordings, known standards and new works from an upcoming, early 2027 release.
Featured on each of these records is long time musical partner Adrian Ruiz who along with Markus makes the core of the group Third Coast Sounds.
Markus Rutz performs, composes, and teaches from his home base in Chicago, Illinois.
RutzMusicWorks.com/home
Markus Rutz is known for his blues-inflected, soulful trumpet voice and warm, gorgeous tone, earning favorable accolades and radio attention both nationally and internationally. His music is performed with a clear sense of fun and playfulness, balancing emotional depth with an inviting spirit.
As a composer, Rutz brings a broad range of writing experience and a diverse palette of sounds to his recordings. Original compositions remain central to Rutz’s work, with titles and themes paying homage to people, places, and the idea of unity.
His most recent recording, Many Moons, marks the ninth album from the well-regarded trumpeter and composer, following Storybook (2023) and Penumbra (2024).
The performances at Andy’s Jazz Club will feature selections from some of the recent recordings, known standards and new works from an upcoming, early 2027 release.
Featured on each of these records is long time musical partner Adrian Ruiz who along with Markus makes the core of the group Third Coast Sounds.
Markus Rutz performs, composes, and teaches from his home base in Chicago, Illinois.
RutzMusicWorks.com/home
Markus Rutz is known for his blues-inflected, soulful trumpet voice and warm, gorgeous tone, earning favorable accolades and radio attention both nationally and internationally. His music is performed with a clear sense of fun and playfulness, balancing emotional depth with an inviting spirit.
As a composer, Rutz brings a broad range of writing experience and a diverse palette of sounds to his recordings. Original compositions remain central to Rutz’s work, with titles and themes paying homage to people, places, and the idea of unity.
His most recent recording, Many Moons, marks the ninth album from the well-regarded trumpeter and composer, following Storybook (2023) and Penumbra (2024).
The performances at Andy’s Jazz Club will feature selections from some of the recent recordings, known standards and new works from an upcoming, early 2027 release.
Featured on each of these records is long time musical partner Adrian Ruiz who along with Markus makes the core of the group Third Coast Sounds.
Markus Rutz performs, composes, and teaches from his home base in Chicago, Illinois.
RutzMusicWorks.com/home
Markus Rutz is known for his blues-inflected, soulful trumpet voice and warm, gorgeous tone, earning favorable accolades and radio attention both nationally and internationally. His music is performed with a clear sense of fun and playfulness, balancing emotional depth with an inviting spirit.
As a composer, Rutz brings a broad range of writing experience and a diverse palette of sounds to his recordings. Original compositions remain central to Rutz’s work, with titles and themes paying homage to people, places, and the idea of unity.
His most recent recording, Many Moons, marks the ninth album from the well-regarded trumpeter and composer, following Storybook (2023) and Penumbra (2024).
The performances at Andy’s Jazz Club will feature selections from some of the recent recordings, known standards and new works from an upcoming, early 2027 release.
Featured on each of these records is long time musical partner Adrian Ruiz who along with Markus makes the core of the group Third Coast Sounds.
Markus Rutz performs, composes, and teaches from his home base in Chicago, Illinois.
RutzMusicWorks.com/home
Markus Rutz is known for his blues-inflected, soulful trumpet voice and warm, gorgeous tone, earning favorable accolades and radio attention both nationally and internationally. His music is performed with a clear sense of fun and playfulness, balancing emotional depth with an inviting spirit.
As a composer, Rutz brings a broad range of writing experience and a diverse palette of sounds to his recordings. Original compositions remain central to Rutz’s work, with titles and themes paying homage to people, places, and the idea of unity.
His most recent recording, Many Moons, marks the ninth album from the well-regarded trumpeter and composer, following Storybook (2023) and Penumbra (2024).
The performances at Andy’s Jazz Club will feature selections from some of the recent recordings, known standards and new works from an upcoming, early 2027 release.
Featured on each of these records is long time musical partner Adrian Ruiz who along with Markus makes the core of the group Third Coast Sounds.
Markus Rutz performs, composes, and teaches from his home base in Chicago, Illinois.
RutzMusicWorks.com/home
Markus Rutz is known for his blues-inflected, soulful trumpet voice and warm, gorgeous tone, earning favorable accolades and radio attention both nationally and internationally. His music is performed with a clear sense of fun and playfulness, balancing emotional depth with an inviting spirit.
As a composer, Rutz brings a broad range of writing experience and a diverse palette of sounds to his recordings. Original compositions remain central to Rutz’s work, with titles and themes paying homage to people, places, and the idea of unity.
His most recent recording, Many Moons, marks the ninth album from the well-regarded trumpeter and composer, following Storybook (2023) and Penumbra (2024).
The performances at Andy’s Jazz Club will feature selections from some of the recent recordings, known standards and new works from an upcoming, early 2027 release.
Featured on each of these records is long time musical partner Adrian Ruiz who along with Markus makes the core of the group Third Coast Sounds.
Markus Rutz performs, composes, and teaches from his home base in Chicago, Illinois.
RutzMusicWorks.com/home
Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 South Ashland Avenue, Chicago
The Markus Rutz Quintet takes the stage in a release concert event February 17th at Epiphany Center for the Arts to bring you music from Storybook! The album release on Chicago’s JMARQ Records is the sixth release from the trumpeter.
Tickets: $15 - Advanced | $20 - At Door | $50 - VIP table for 2