Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival 2025 was very excited to have the Marcus Bunton Trio play during the festival. Marcus is only thirteen and is a Brighton-based jazz pianist and composer who gained national recognition after appearing as a finalist on Channel 4’s The Piano. He leads the Marcus Bunton Trio and performs original compositions including tracks from his 2024 album Blue Haze.
Marcus, has been playing jazz piano for around three years and trumpet for five.
How did you get involved in the jazz world?
My first inspiration to play jazz was actually here at the Rye Jazz Festival three years ago. It was such a big thing for me being exposed to the liveliness and spontaneity of the music.
What have been your main influences when playing the piano?
My main influences include Erroll Garner, Bill Evans and Gerald Clayton. I was a finalist on Channel 4’s The Piano and love playing live music. I have played many festivals and gigs with my trio.
What do you want to achieve in the musical world?
In terms of what I want to do with music, I honestly think it’s too early to say. I’d just like to experience the magic of collaborating in projects, playing with other people, just really putting myself out there. In the future I want to compose and arrange a lot of music and record albums. If I could play my music abroad that would be amazing.
Harry Laws played the drums in the Marcus Bunton trio at the festival.
When did you start playing the drums?
I have been playing drums since I was ten.
When did you get into playing jazz?
I’ve always been really into playing a range of genres and jazz is something I’ve only gotten into more recently. I quickly have come to love it.
Who has inspired your playing?
Some of my biggest inspirations include Vinnie Colaiuta, Mark Guiliana and Jojo Mayer.
Do you see your future in the music world?
In future I hope to make a career out of music and just play as much as possible.
Flo Valentine played the double bass at the festival.
When did you get involved in the world of jazz?
I’ve been playing jazz for slightly over a year now and was inspired to get into jazz by listening to artists such as the Ezra Collective, Herbie Hancock and Oscar Peterson and to this day, they are still some of my biggest inspirations. Nowadays I’m greatly inspired by some of the jazz bass greats such as Jimmy Garrison, Paul Chambers and Larry Grenadier.
What have been the highlights of the last year?
I am grateful enough to have attended the Purcell school this past year along with Junior Royal Academy of Music for parts of the year as well as the amazing Tomorrows Warriors Programme. All this has given me amazing opportunities to play gigs with countless amazing musicians.
What does the future hold for you?
In the future, I hope to continue gigging and playing with as many other musicians as I can to expand my knowledge in jazz as well as in as many styles as possible.
Image Credits: Kt bruce , Craig Bunton .