Marquise Knox

On 7 May 2026 Marquise Knox performs at Patronaat in Haarlem. Rooted in the St. Louis blues, the singer and guitarist connects the electric Midwestern sound with older Delta forms. His voice carries the songs, supported by slow to medium tempos, while the guitar leaves space for phrasing and storytelling. Born in 1991 in St. Louis, Knox learned his craft within his family and in the city’s clubs, under the guidance of older musicians who taught him both the playing and the history. From there he moved on via regional stages to tours across the U.S. and to European festivals.

As a songwriter Knox builds on classic blues frameworks, yet he writes about everyday life and contemporary African-American realities. On stage he places his own material alongside pieces from the historic repertoire, with a focus on rhythm, call-and-response and a riff that lingers. His albums mark that development: Manchild (2008), Here I Am (2011) and Black and Blue (2017) show how his songwriting and playing have matured. In Haarlem Knox will bring all of this live, with a set in which tradition and the present naturally come together.