THE BAND

Marcus’ journey began in fifth grade when he picked up his older brother’s trumpet just to see if he could make a sound. One note led to another, and the connection was instant. From that moment on, the trumpet wasn’t just an instrument—it was destiny.

Marcus joined The Soul Rebels in 1998 and quickly became one of the driving forces behind the band’s explosive, genre-bending sound. He blends funk, jazz, hip hop, soul, rock, and the deep traditions of New Orleans into a style that is bold, fearless, and uniquely his. Influenced by legends like Earth, Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, and Miles Davis, Marcus brings a dynamic approach to every performance. He loves the unpredictability of live shows: walking into a room not knowing what to expect, reading the crowd, and turning any space into a party. For him, each night is a new puzzle to solve—and the reward is watching faces light up the moment the music hits.

His favorite songs to perform change depending on the night. Sometimes it’s the high energy of “Greatness,” sometimes it’s “Turn It Up,” and other nights he leans into the band’s smoother, more melodic sounds. He always lets the room guide the vibe.

Over the years, Marcus has built an unforgettable list of moments with the band: performing on the Super Bowl Pre-Game Show alongside his alma mater, the Southern University Human Jukebox, trading energy on stage with two of his favorite rappers—Rakim and DMX—rocking out with heavy metal legends Metallica, and bringing The Soul Rebels’ sound to packed venues and festivals around the globe. He says his career has taken him places he never dreamed of, and he cherishes every step.

On stage, Marcus pushes to be consistent, creative, and constantly evolving. Some nights the crowd is ready to go wild, and other nights he reaches deeper into his bag to spark the energy—but no matter what, he stays motivated and inspires his bandmates to give their best. He is always thinking about how to elevate the band to its next level.

Off stage, Marcus is a dedicated family man. His favorite place in the world is home with his wife and son, and he makes the most of every moment with them, especially with the constant travel that comes with life in a touring band.

Marcus hopes fans feel uplifted, energized, and transported when they hear his music. Whether they need motivation, escape, joy, or inspiration, his mission is to give people something real to hold onto.

He joined The Soul Rebels because their blend of hip hop, jazz, R&B, and marching band tradition spoke directly to his soul. When the opportunity came in 1998, he jumped—and the rest is history.

Growing up in New Orleans shaped everything about him. In his words, “music is in the water, the food, and your blood.” It’s a culture that lives in every note he plays.

His dream collaborations include Michael Jackson, Jay Z, and Earth, Wind and Fire—artists who shaped his musical imagination and inspired his path.

His favorite part of touring is traveling the world doing what he loves, meeting incredible people, and connecting through music. He knows it’s a blessing, and he never takes it for granted.

Looking ahead, Marcus puts the future of The Soul Rebels in God’s hands. He shows up every day ready to grow, create, inspire, and do exactly what he believes he was put on this earth to do.

With his horn, his heart, and his unstoppable New Orleans energy, Marcus “Red” Hubbard remains one of the flames that keeps The Soul Rebels burning bright around the world.