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Event
Mark Lewis Jazz Quartet
The Mark Lewis Quartet will launch VAAâs 2010 Panache Jazz Series. Lewis, Northwest native, is considered a master player of alto sax, baritone sax, flute and piano. Author of over a thousand compositions, he has recorded and produced over twenty albums on various labels. Lewis has worked as an instrumentalist, composer, producer, engineer and teacher and earned the reputation of being one of the Northwestâs most dynamic and innovative players. His music ranges from simple to complex and back again to create textures influenced by bop, blues, classical and ethnic stylings. Lewis has produced more than 20 albums, over 1000 compositions and runs his own record company and studio. His most recent CD, Worlds Apart, offers a collection of original compositions and improvisations combining Mark's soulful alto sax and flute with his own keyboard accompaniment. For the Vashon show, Lewis has pulled together a top notch group of high profile players including: pianist, George Radebaugh, bass player, Steve Luceno and drummer, Bob Merrihew.
As a child Lewis played his grandfather's C melody sax and at age ten was gifted his uncle's alto to begin his formal musical education. Lewis remembers many happy times on Vashon with his grandparents; he even taught music workshops at the Blue Heron in the 1980s.
Influenced by his parents' extensive jazz record collection, Lewis played in school jazz and concert ensembles. During high school, he played lead alto in the stage band, sang in concert and jazz choirs, played alto clarinet in the concert band and performed music for theatre productions. Some of his most noted instructors include Dr. Edwin La Bounty, Gary Peacock and Americole Biasini.
Lewis has played with some of the regionâs best including Candy Finch, Art Foxall, Bea Smith, Dee Daniels and Buddy Catlet. In 1978, Lewis followed the advice of Dizzy Gillespie's drummer and moved to Amsterdam, with his alto saxophone and $500. Rotterdam became his home base and Lewis toured with some of Europeâs finest musicians. He also established his record company, Audio Daddio, which includes artists such as Art Foxall, Vonne Griffin, Al Hood, Art Lande and David Friesen.
As a commercial studio musician for Dutch radio and television, Lewis produced an annual music festival in Rotterdam. He taught improvised music and jazz theory classes at several music conservatories in Holland.
When Lewis returned to the US, he auditioned for a record deal in San Francisco. After the audition he discovered he was playing for great tenor sax player Stan Getz, who fell in love with Lewisâ playing. Lewisâ resulting album, In The Spirit, reached top 40 on Billboard Jazz Charts and sold nearly a million copies.
While living in the Bay Area, Lewis recorded and/or performed with many well known musicians including pianists Mark Levine and Ted Gioia, vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson and trumpet player Randy Brecker. He played many jazz festivals and opened for Carmen McRae at the Palo Alto Jazz Festival.
Mark now teaches privately from his Bremerton home. As a teacher, Lewis has helped many people discover their musical potential.
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LocationBlue Heron Art Center
19704 Vashon Hwy. SW
Vashon Island, WA 98070
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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