Dec 15, 20203 min read

Vlogcast Ep. 11 - Riza & Marcus Printup

Updated: Apr 11, 2021

This power couple and I discuss the magic of music, the importance of legacy, and connecting youth with their cultural roots through music.

Watch till the end for a musical treat

Riza Printup has recorded with acclaimed Jazz Trumpeter and husband Marcus Printup Gentle Rain (2020), Desire (2013), A Time For Love (2011), Ballads All Night (2010), and Bird of Paradise (2007); Grammy nominated pianist and composer Kenny Werner No Beginning, No End; and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra featuring Chick Corea and the music of Mr. Corea. Ms. Printup has performed with the likes of the late great American jazz saxophonist and flautist, Frank Wess (featuring the music of legendary jazz harpist, Dorothy Ashby); virtuoso cellist Yo-Yo Ma and jookin dance master Lil Buck (Saint-Saëns's classic 'Le Cygn’ for harp and cello); Lady Gaga (Elton John: I'm Still Standing - A Grammy Salute); and has been featured with Paquito D'Rivera in his presentations of Charlie Parker's classic, Bird With Strings at Jazz At Lincoln Center. In 2014, Riza joined world renown soprano, Kathleen Battle in Ms. Battle's presentation of 'Underground Railroad: A Spiritual Journey' at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, PA and at Ms. Battle's magnificent return to the Metropolitan Opera House (2016).

Ms. Printup began her undergraduate studies as a classical harpist at the Indiana University School of Music, Bloomington, IN under the instruction of Susan McDonald and in time pursued studies in jazz with Professor of Jazz, David Baker. She received her Bachelors of Arts in Music from Columbia College, Chicago, IL where she continued her studies in jazz. She later completed coursework toward a Master of Music from Georgia State University's School of Music under the tutelage of Elisabeth Remy Johnson. Other instructors include Dominique Piana, Linda Wood, Beverly Wesner-Hoehn, Deborah Henson-Conant, Stella Castellucci.

Her passion for education has taken her further to author her first two children's books (Theodore and Hazel and the Bird and The Great Big Spider & The Waterspout Blues) and develop I Have A Song Inside My Heart™, a program and curriculum for early childhood and the K-5 General Music classroom. Her curriculum is now in elementary schools across the USA.

In September of 2019, The Printups founded RiMarcable Music For Arts & Education, a 501c3 non-profit organization to advance their commitment to outreach.

The Printups created RiMarcable Publications LLC through which they publish their children's books, arrangements and originals for solo harp, big band and jazz combos.

Marcus Printup 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.

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 has led multiple recordings on several major record jazz labels: Blue Note Records, Nagel Heyer Records, and Steeplechase Records 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. 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.