Saxquest is thrilled to host a FREE clinic/performance at the shop this Thursday evening with Selmer Paris and Vandoren artist, Mark Colby (Thursday March 24 from 7-9PM). Mark will be playing with an all-star local St. Louis rhythm section (Adam Maness – pn, Willem von Hombract – bass, Tony Barbata – dr). Colby has an amazing voice on the tenor sax and is one of the country’s leading stylists on the instrument.
YOU WANT TO SEE THIS SHOW!!! TRUST ME!!!
“I’ve been listenting to Mark Colby for twenty years, and I’ve seen him grow into a master of the saxophone and master of the music he plays.” – Stan Getz
Born in Brooklyn in the late 40’s, Mark comes from a musical family and was immersed an early age in the sounds of bebop, cool and hard-bop jazz.He began his professional career at the age of 14 playing with the likes of Ira Sullivan, Tony Bennett, Sonny and Sher, Sammy Davis Jr. to name a few. He received a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Miami where he worked with legendary baritone sax player Gerry Mulligan and recorded with Dr. John, Wilson Pickett, Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones, and the Bee Gees. After graduating, Mark hit the road with Maynard Ferguson in the early 70’s. After three albums (including Primal Scream) and three years touring as featured soloist and musical director, Bob James beckoned, and he became of member of the “James gang.” Mark signed onto Columbia Records, and began his solo career recording “Serpentine Fire” and “One Good Turn”. Mark’s tours with Maynard and Bob found him playing jazz festivals and concert halls around the world.
In 1980, Mark moved to Chicago, with its very active music scene and was soon approached by DePaul University to assume a teaching position as jazz saxophone instructor. He’s still there, and in 1998 also joined the faculty at Elmhurst College.
In the ensuing years, he has played and in some cases toured with such varied luminaries as Frank Sinatra, Jaco Pastorius, Mose Allison, Joe Williams and Charlie Haden. He has continued to record as both a leader and sideman as well as perform with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In 2008 he performed Leonard Bernstein’s “Prelude, Fugue and Riffs.” In 1999, Hallway Records released “Reunion” (with Vince Maggio) followed by “Tenor Reference” in 2002, to glowing reviews and appreciative audiences. His last release on Hallway Records was a tribute to Stan Getz entitled Speaking of Stan, which was released in 2006 and went to #3 on the jazz radio charts. His CD on Origin Records, “Reflections” was released in November 2008 where the studio date was dedicated to his father, “who started me on my journey at age eight,” and to one of Colby’s earliest role models, tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin and Stan Getz. In 2010 Mark was one of the people interviewed with his own chapter in Cicily Janus’s new book entitled “The New Faces of Jazz” published by Billboard Press. His latest album was released on RCI late in 2011 called Yesterday’s Gardenias.
Also mark your calendar:
Saturday March 26 – 2-4PM – ADAM LARSON QUARTET
Saturday Apr 9 – 2-4PM – RAHSAAN BARBER
Saturday Apr 23 – 2-4PM – DAVID LIEBMAN
Saturday Apr 23 – 7:30PM and 9:30PM sets at Jazz at the Bistro – DAVID LIEBMAN
Saturday Apr 30 – 2PM-4PM – WILL & PETER ANDERSEN
Saturday May 21 – 2PM-4PM – New Horizon Saxophone Quartet