Ryan Marquez plays a grand piano in profile, wearing a bold patterned blazer in a warmly lit studio space.
Ryan Marquez plays a grand piano in profile, wearing a bold patterned blazer in a warmly lit studio space.
Ryan Marquez plays a grand piano in profile, wearing a bold patterned blazer in a warmly lit studio space.
Ryan Marquez sits at a grand piano smiling upward, wearing a colorful patterned blazer, bathed in warm golden light.
Ryan Marquez sits at a grand piano smiling upward, wearing a colorful patterned blazer, bathed in warm golden light.

Kick Off Event | The Kansas City Public Library – Central Branch | June 3, 2026 | 5:30p-7:30p

Bio

Ryan Marquez is a pianist, composer, bandleader, and interdisciplinary artist blending jazz, pop, soul, hip-hop, and contemporary sound into vibrant performances. Rooted in the lineage of Kansas City and St. Louis, his work centers storytelling, healing, community, groove, and emotional spontaneity. As leader of the Ryan Marquez Trio, he brings a fresh approach to trio tradition through soulful originals, pop favorites, and improvisation. He has performed with the KC Symphony via Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience, and shared the stage with Ernie Isley, Nelly, Randy Brecker, and Terence Blanchard. His music has appeared on ESPN, MTV, The CW and BET.

Connection to the theme Home

Kansas City’s history as a rail and migration hub parallels the way music travels across communities and generations. Swing rhythms echo the steady pulse of wheels on tracks, groove-based forms reflect the looping patterns of urban life, and improvisation mirrors the unpredictability of a journey. By blending jazz tradition with hip hop influence and cross-state musical exchange, the performance reflects Kansas City as a living cultural crossroads.

The audience experiences the set as a shared sonic “ride,” moving through different moods and textures while remaining grounded in the city’s musical heritage. In a downtown environment defined by constant motion, the performance transforms a pass-through space into a place of presence, where rhythm regulates pace and shared listening builds temporary community. Through intentional song choices and live improvisation, the music becomes both a reflection of Kansas City’s movement-driven history and a unifying experience in the present moment.

 

Visit Ryan Marquez Trio online 

Website | www.ryanmarquez.com

Instagram | www.instagram.com/consciouskeys

Facebook | www.facebook.com/ryanmarquezmusic 

 

Photo Credit | Mandy Steinback in collaboration with Mid-America Arts Alliance.

MissConceptionA stylized promotional composite image for performer "Miss Conception." The central foreground shows a woman with long curly brown hair, eyes closed, singing passionately into a handheld microphone. She wears a white lace sleeveless top with layered circle necklaces. Surrounding her in the warm golden-toned background are three additional photos of the same woman performing hula hoop dance outdoors in an urban setting at sunset, dressed in a white jumpsuit with lace details. The name "Miss Conception" is written in white hand-brushed lettering in the upper portion of the image, with a small heart detail.Headshot of performing artist BodaciousThang, a woman with a large natural afro and round glasses, mouth open wide, wearing blue lipstick and bold beaded necklaces against a bright yellow background.BodaciousThang