Origin Artist

Mark Colby



...a master of the saxophone and master of the music he plays.
Stan Getz

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. 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. At age eleven, Mark took the next step in his evolution, saxophone, and thus began his life-long love affair. 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.

In 1962, his family moved to Miami, Florida, where he began playing professionally at age 14. 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. He was for many years the youngest guy on the bandstand, all the while pursuing his desire to play all styles of jazz. 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. 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. These master musicians provided him inspiration and encouragement, as well as invaluable education in the jazz idiom.

Mark was fortunate to have had the incredible experience of working with legendary baritone sax player Gerry Mulligan while he was artist in residence. While in college, he recorded with the likes of Dr. John, Wilson Pickett, Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones, and the Bee Gees. 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. 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. "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. 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. Mark was immediately participating in a recording market that was exploding. Jingles, record dates, and jazz gigs were plentiful. In 1983, he was approached by DePaul University to assume a teaching position as jazz saxophone instructor. He's still there, and in 1998 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. Currently he is performing as a guest soloist and clinician/adjudicator at middle schools, high schools and colleges throughout the United States and Europe, representing Selmer Paris Saxophones and Vandoren reeds. In 2001, he performed Duke Ellington's version of "The Nutcracker Suite" with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and in 2008 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. During 2007-2010, he appeared at the Chicago, Paradise Valley Arizona Jazz Festival, Evanston, Naperville and Glen Ellyn Jazz Festivals. In 2010 Mark was the artist in residence at the Three Rivers Saxophone Symposium in PA. Mark appeared in a cameo with Diana Krall in the Johnny Depp movie "Public Enemies," released in July 2009. His CD on Origin Records, "Reflections" was released in November 2008. 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. Mark Colby passed on August 31, 2020.


RECORDINGS FEATURING Mark Colby


Dick Reynolds
Origin 82632

Mark Colby
Origin 82520

New Standard Jazz Orchestra
OA2 Records 22131

ARTIST WEBSITE:

For more information about Mark Colby, please visit: http://www.markcolby.com.

ARTIST VIDEO:

Explore other Saxophonists:

Mark Taylor
Don Lanphere
Brent Jensen
David Sills
Daniel Carter
Hans Teuber
Richard Cole
Yoshiyuki Yamanaka
Kim Richmond
Tim Jensen
John Gross
Rick Mandyck
Matt Otto
Brad Wheeler
Alex Graham
Bobby Porcelli
Pete Christlieb
Scott Burns
Joshua Redman
Rob Lockart
Hadley Caliman
Mitch Paliga
Geof Bradfield
Phil Dwyer
Michael Brockman
Ricky Sweum
Matt Vashlishan
Peter Epstein
Jim Gailloreto
Bruce Williamson
Tom Luer
Ed Epstein
Michael Zilber
Tim Garland
Ira Sullivan
Dudley Owens
Amit Friedman
Joel Miller
Idit Shner
Marc Bernstein
Francois Theberge
Brian Gephart
Dave Liebman
Bobby Selvaggio
Renato Caranto
Ernie Watts
Jim Norton
Lucas Pino
John Wojciechowski
Roxy Coss
Carlos Vega
Steffen Weber
Jason Hainsworth
Zem Audu
Edgar Steinitz
Benjamin Boone
Neil Welch
Aaron Lington
Xose Miguélez
Dann Zinn
Greg Yasinitsky
Alon Farber
Mark Zaleski
Jared Sims
Jordan VanHemert
Ralph Bowen
Santosh Sharma
Tim Warfield
Maddie Vogler



ORIGIN RECORDS

OA2 RECORDS

ORIGIN CLASSICAL

CONTACT US

  • Origin Records
    8649 Island Drive South
    Seattle, WA 98118
    ph: (206) 781-2589
    fx: (206) 374-2618
  • Email / Order Info / Etc
THE ORIGIN MUSIC GROUP • FOUNDED 1997 / SEATTLE, WA • THE MUSIC YOU NEED