"Mark brings great joy to us all through his music"
Mark is unique. He cannot be pigeonholed. To describe him as a classical pianist, a jazz keyboard player, a church organist, a celtic stylist - all these would be correct. He plays jazz with Dale Gold (double bass) and with his own band 'With a Twist', dance music with 'The Master Blasters', the organ at St Peters church each Sunday, and celtic music with 'Southern Celtic' and 'Green Willow',
But the specific labels 'miss the mark' (ha ha). His magic comes to the fore when all these skills are combined into one tapestry of sound. His music is always exciting, sometimes unpredictable and often filled with humour.
He can and does play pieces 'straight' ("I'll be well behaved!"), as a soloist, accompanist, or as part of a band. However, he is at his best when being creative, weaving his own particular magic around the melody. Tunes are twisted into new shapes, moulded into new rhythmic patterns, or re-formed around new harmonic progressions - "I can do something with this". Below, you can hear his fabulous Christmas improvisation from the end of the 'Green Willow' concert in December 2011. Mark never starts these medley items with a definite plan of what to include, but he lets the music and his inspiration guide him into new and exciting pathways!
"Mark played the organ for the marriage of our daughter. He was so easy to work with and knew the music which they wanted him to play. He plays with such sensitivity as well as enthusiasm! Many guests made favourable comments about Mark's musical ability and we all enjoyed the occasion immensely. Mark has also played at the reception for the marriage of another daughter. This time it was dance music which was required and his group was superb!"- Mary
"Mark's ability to play sensitively at my daughter's wedding & accompany our other daughter on the cornet was a real blessing. Then to have Mark on the keyboard at the reception was such fun! We only danced for an hour, then we all sat around singing. It was a night we will never forget. Mark brings great joy to us all through his music. Thank you Mark". - Sue & family
But the specific labels 'miss the mark' (ha ha). His magic comes to the fore when all these skills are combined into one tapestry of sound. His music is always exciting, sometimes unpredictable and often filled with humour.
He can and does play pieces 'straight' ("I'll be well behaved!"), as a soloist, accompanist, or as part of a band. However, he is at his best when being creative, weaving his own particular magic around the melody. Tunes are twisted into new shapes, moulded into new rhythmic patterns, or re-formed around new harmonic progressions - "I can do something with this". Below, you can hear his fabulous Christmas improvisation from the end of the 'Green Willow' concert in December 2011. Mark never starts these medley items with a definite plan of what to include, but he lets the music and his inspiration guide him into new and exciting pathways!
"Mark played the organ for the marriage of our daughter. He was so easy to work with and knew the music which they wanted him to play. He plays with such sensitivity as well as enthusiasm! Many guests made favourable comments about Mark's musical ability and we all enjoyed the occasion immensely. Mark has also played at the reception for the marriage of another daughter. This time it was dance music which was required and his group was superb!"- Mary
"Mark's ability to play sensitively at my daughter's wedding & accompany our other daughter on the cornet was a real blessing. Then to have Mark on the keyboard at the reception was such fun! We only danced for an hour, then we all sat around singing. It was a night we will never forget. Mark brings great joy to us all through his music. Thank you Mark". - Sue & family
Count the tunes - if you can! Christmas concert at Thomas Brown's Art Gallery, Speargrass Flat Road, Arrowtown, December 18th 2011
