Mark Adams is a worldly soul jazz pianist who is proving to be the premiere jazz pianist of his generation. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Mark was introduced to the piano by his mother, Velma, a music teacher, at the tender age of 5. With a move to New York at the age of 12, Mark continued to prefect his craft with the encouragement of his father Kenneth, a successful classical and Broadway woodwind musician. Mark further augmented his musical talents at Greenwich House of Music School specializing in jazz and classical music; this followed up by receiving a Bachelor degree in Music and Performance and Fine Arts at City College of New York.
Among Mark’s many accomplishments are composing; performing in the Broadway musical production of “Guys Named Moe” and becoming an active faculty member of York College (CUNY) where he teaches music theory, as well as beginning and advanced piano techniques.
As a published author and professor, Mark’s book Basics debuted in August 2010, mirrors the courses he teaches at York College that include music theory, piano techniques, keyboard harmony, jazz techniques and improvisation. The inspiration and motivation for the book came from Mark’s observations that the development of one’s musical skills is essential to the development of jazz, that young people represent the future and their talents must be nurtured. Mark’s heart, passion and love of music is reflected in the free private piano instruction he gives to young talented pianists who cannot afford the high cost of private lessons.
In addition to his personal accomplishments, Mark’s extensive musical career has him working and performing with with such Jazz greats as Roy Ayers, Ron Carter, Ronnie Laws, Hugh Masekela, Bobbi Humphrey, Dave Valentin, Wayne Henderson and Tap-Dancer Savion Glover; R&B artists Erika Badu, Maysa, Bilal, Jocelyn Brown and DJ Pete Rock. Mark has performed throughout Europe, Australia, Africa, Cuba, Japan and the U.S. with Roy Ayers and other great artists. In 2010, Mr. Adams began touring under his own name. At times, Mark has shared the stage with the likes of special guests Maysa, Tom Browne and Ronnie Laws. His live sound is fresh & new. Mark calls his music & live show “the beginning of the new movement of Souljazz, moving Jazz away from the Smooth Jazz format.” The great Ron Carter states, Mark plays bebop over funk grooves; Adams is here to keep jazz appealing to people of all ages!”
Mark has recorded 3 CDs under his own name, Asceticism, Feel The Groove and Something’s Going On, with the fourth CD entitled EMBELLISHMENTS (The Q&A Project) featuring Jonathan Quash released April 5th, 2011 on Roberts Music Group Music Group.
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