Mark Taylor

Hey everyone!!

Just sending out a little mini-newsletter to say hello and keep you up on the MarkMusiK happenings!

Things have been really humming along the last few weeks with several gigs and recording projects just completed or happening in the very near future. In fact, the last few weeks have been spent in rehearsal for a very special recording project with Joe Daley. If you ever get the chance to hear Joe play tuba or euphonium, ESPECIALLY if it’s his own music, don’t miss it! We rehearsed a suite Joe has composed based on his interpretations of the “Seven Deadly Sins” and, earlier this week, spent two days in the studio recording it. The music is amazing and the band is an incredible aggregation of top-notch players as you’re likely to find anywhere. Besides, where else are you going to hear bass sax, CONTRA-bass sax AND contrabass sarrusophone on the same record? On October 16 the Mark Taylor Quartet performed a well received set on the AACM concert series here in midtown Manhattan. We played 5 of my pieces and my bandmates Keith Witty, Chris Dingman and Tomas Fujiwara really outdid themselves. With several of my heroes and mentors in the audience, I’m afraid I let my nerves get the best of me a few times, but we received and warm and appreciative response from those in attendance. Watch my YouTube channel for video clips from the concert.

The following night, I had the pleasure of performing at Iridium once again with the Jessica Jones Quartet. As usual Candace Jones kept the audience in rapt attention as the band performed a set of original tunes (mostly), many of which were written by Jessica especially for Candace.

Coming up on Monday November 9th, I have a concert at Local 269 with Warren Smith’s new brass project which we’ll repeat on Friday the 13th in Syracuse and the following night (Saturday the 14th) will be my second performance with the SWIPE Cartel Composer’s Collective at Ibeam in Brooklyn. We’ll be playing two of my compositions as well as several pieces by other members of the ensemble. Come on out to Brooklyn for this gig, folks and bring some friends! Ibeam is a fantastic, intimate room to listen to music and is another great example of musicians taking responsibility for creating opportunities to present their work. Also, December 3-5 I’ll be playing with Golden Boy – the Art Blakey Tribute at Iridium.

I know what you’re really asking, though. You want to know how the Kickstarter project is coming, right? Well, with just under 70 days left in the project we’ve raised $275 toward the $5,000 goal. So – if you haven’t pledged, drop by the Kickstarter page at: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/marktaylorproject/at-what-age-new-music-for-jazz-french-horn-and-mell and take a look at the project and the various participation levels and jump in with both feet! Also, please spread the word and let people know what we’re doing here. If you know people who are fans of creative, independent art, tell them about Kickstarter. It’s a great way for people who want to get directly involved to support the art and artists than move them.

I guess that’s about it for now. There are a couple of interesting things on the horizon for early next year, so check the website or my Facebook page if you just can’t wait for the newsletter to find it’s way to your inbox!  Also, if you’re getting several copies of my emails, please let me know. I’m still weeding out duplicate addresses from the move to Reverbnation.

Thanks,

Mark