“Serpentine Fire” and “ One Good Turn” both sold very well, while he toured for the next six years as a featured member of Bob James’ band.
After three albums and three years touring as featured soloist and musical director with Maynard, Bob James beckoned, and he became of member of the “James gang.” Bob signed Mark to Columbia Records, beginning his solo recording career. After graduating with a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies, he received a call from Maynard Ferguson inviting him to join his band in New York. John, Wilson Pickett, Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones, and the Bee Gees. While in college, he recorded with the likes of Dr. Mark was fortunate to have had the incredible experience of working with legendary baritone sax player Gerry Mulligan while he was artist in residence. These master musicians provided him inspiration and encouragement, as well as invaluable education in the jazz idiom. Studying with Jerry and pianist Vince Maggio had a profound effect on him, as did sitting in with Ira Sullivan since the age of 16. As a high school student, he studied with James Casale (co-author of Patterns for Jazz with Jerry Coker.) After high school, Mark attended the University of Miami, enrolling in Jerry Coker’s Jazz Studies program. He was for many years the youngest guy on the bandstand, all the while pursuing his desire to play all styles of jazz. On Miami Beach, he had the opportunity to play shows with popular acts, including Tony Bennett, Sonny and Cher, Bill Cosby, Ann-Margret and Sammy Davis, Jr., with seasoned musicians. In 1962, his family moved to Miami, Florida, where he began playing professionally at age 14. Immersed in the sounds of the big bands enjoyed by his father, intrigued by the more modern sounds of bebop, cool and hard-bop records his sister played around the house, his dedication to pursuing a life in music was cemented.
At age eleven, Mark took the next step in his evolution, saxophone, and thus began his life-long love affair. At the age of eight, Mark was given a clarinet and lessons with a wonderful teacher by the name of Bill Schlagel, who emphasized the importance of proper technique and sound.
STEEL CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL 2014 PROFESSIONAL
Past artists include Maria Schneider, Eric Alexander, Peter Erskine, Doc Severinsen, Peter Bernstein, Byron Stripling, Bobby Floyd, Chip McNeill, Bria Skonberg, and more.Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1949, Mark comes from a musical background, as his father was a professional musician (drummer) who played with Benny Goodman for a time in the ‘40’s. Our students and jazz community have the benefit of attending master classes with world-class musicians throughout the year. Our students have won “Outstanding Ensemble” accolades, military band positions and DownBeat Student Music Awards.Ī high point of students’ time at George Mason University is Jazz4Justice, an annual concert that combines the Jazz department with local law communities to raise money for academic initiatives and public access to justice. Our ensembles have performed at the Shanghai Concert Hall (Beijing, China), Center for the Arts, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Virginia Music Educators Association Conference, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Blues Alley, Kansas City Jazz Summit, JEN Conferences 2014, 2018 (Dallas, TX), JENerations Jazz Festival 2017 (New Orleans, LA), University of Trinidad and Tobago and more. The Mason Jazz Studies program ( instrumental and vocal) offers opportunities for improvisation, performance, recording, writing, leadership and service.