Marquis Hill, a teaching associate in the jazz program at the University of Illinois-Chicago, won the Thelonius Monk Jazz Competition that was held recently at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Hill competed against 12 other trumpeters in the semifinals and two other musicians in the finals. Winning the competition is considered one of the highest honors for a young jazz musician. Hill will receive a $25,000 scholarship and a recording contract with the Concord Music Group.
“I’m delighted that Marquis has won an honor that will bring him further international recognition,” said Andy Baker, director of jazz studies at the University of Illinois-Chicago. “Marquis is as gifted an educator as he is a performer.”
Hill is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, where he majored in music education. He holds a master’s degree in jazz pedagogy from DePaul University in Chicago.
