Bruce Markow

Artist Information

Biography

Bruce Markow’s "folk’n’roll" sows lyrical melodies and a poetic, uplifting message in a soul-gratifying garden of smart and evocative songs. Multi-instrumental prowess, steeped in traditional folk, 60’s pop, gypsy swing, JS Bach and Afro-Brazilia, and an expressive voice fans and peers liken to Van Morrison's, James Taylor's and Todd Rundgren's spice Bruce’s “Demolicious4” and “Mango” solo CDs and his performances and recordings with Paul Winter, Pete Seeger and others.

Bruce’s songs deftly explore the wonders and woes of growing more fully alive. He conveys both the deep human capacity for joy and our hunger for a world of greater peace, truth and love.

Visit www.brucemarkow.com now, and the next concert near you, to experience why Vance Gilbert calls Bruce's music "Hot! Amazingly tasty!" and filmmaker Mitch Teplitsky declares his songs "infectious, irresistible, memorable and tons of fun."

Press -- For a 4”x5” 200 dpi color photo, copy & paste in your browser:
http://www.brucemarkow.com/images/hugebrucemarkow4x5pic5at200.jpg


(Look for more biographical material to appear here in the near future.)

Instrumentation

Bruce generally performs solo on VOICE and ACOUSTIC GUITAR (and sometimes PIANO, KEYBOARD, APPALACHIAN DULCIMER, UKULELE, & the SURPRISE INSTRUMENT OF THE DAY)

He’ll occasionally invite guests onstage, most recently members from the trio GatheringTime:
Glen Roethel (voice, guitar, bass)
Hilary Foxsong (voice , percussion)
Stuart Marcus (voice, guitar)

or from Bruce’s pre-solo backup band:
Bev Grant (voice, acoustic guitar, percussion)
Barry Kornhauser (bass guitar, 'cello)
Ben Silver (voice, percussion, keyboard)
Robin Burdulis (percussion, voice)

Bruce frequently plays MANDOLIN and ELECTRIC GUITAR in-studio and when backing others and has performed onstage at one time or another on MANDOLA, BASS, PERCUSSION, KORA (West African Harp-Lute), PENNY WHISTLE, NOSE FLUTE, FIDDLE, BANJO, GEMBRI, SITAR AND BOINGER.

On recordings, Bruce overdubs whatever instruments serve the song.

Discography

BRUCE MARKOW

• (The Lure of Love's Call – working title), full length CD (forthcoming)
• Demolicious4, Artist's proof, "amazingly tasty," four song demo CD-EP
* "I can't stop listening." Available at www.brucemarkow.com/products.html
• "Mango" - CD single #001A
* "It's such a feel good song!" Available at www.brucemarkow.com/products.html

COMPILATIONS

• True Blue (Tribute to Bob Blue), "Back in the One's Place", "Poem on a Napkin" - all instruments, voices and production

GUEST PERFORMANCES

• A Few More Miles to Go, Anne Price - mandolin, guitar, voice
• Smaller Things, Glen Roethel - mandolin
• "Where Women Rule" (CD single), Bev Grant - slide guitar, mix consultation
• The Parody Man, Toby Fagenson - voice on "Slowing Down to Lethargy"
• I've Been Up On the Mountain, Steve Suffet - mandolin on "Banks of the Ohio" and "John Hardy"
• The Power of Song, The Brooklyn Women's Chorus - acoustic/electric guitars, mandolin, mandola; choral and 'cello arrangement on "Bread and Roses"
• High on You, Samahria Lyte - guitars & guitar arrangements
• Earthbeat, the Paul Winter Consort - voice – GRAMMY NOMINEE
• Pete, Pete Seeger - voice – GRAMMY WINNER
• The Choice, Linda Worster - mandolin
• Dancing in the Fire, Robert Lee Camp - mandola, keyboard, composition on "Farewell"
• (title?), Pete Smith - guitar and mandolin

FILM SCORES

• Soy Andina - "Estamos Muy Contentos", all voices, guitars, mandolin, mandola, flutes, bass, percussion, keyboard, production, co-composition
• Kripalu Center, Health for Life - "Treasures", guitar, voice, composition
• Basketball the Dave Cowens Way - guitars, bass, mandola, fiddle, banjo, composition, arrangements
• How to Buy a Used Car - guitars, bass, mandola, fiddle, voice, composition, arrangements, sound engineering

COVERED COMPOSITIONS & CO-WRITES

• (YouTube broadcast), GatheringTime – "Prayer for Peace (1 Love)" by Bruce Markow, [video:] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN8nH0EOoCU
• Cheeky Woman, Bev Grant & the Dissident Daughters – "In America" by Bev Grant & Bruce Markow, [mp3/lyrics:] http://labornotes.org/node/1914

Audio

• PRAYER FOR PEACE (1 Love) [roughmix demo excerpt]
  Listen   Download
• PRAYER FOR PEACE (1 Love) [roughmix demo]
  Listen   Download
• SHINE A LITTLE LIGHT [roughmix demo excerpt]
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• TREASURES
• LET'S BE HONEST
• PRAYER FOR PEACE (1 Love)

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• KUDOS [+ Show ]
  

  Click "[+ Show]," above, to show reviews or, for a more readable layout, see: http://www.brucemarko...Click "[+ Show]," above, to show reviews or, for a more readable layout, see:
  http://www.brucemarkow.com/press.html
  
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  "Eloquent, sensitive and full of heart." - Barbara Dean (WBCR-LP 97.7 FM, Gt. Barrington, MA)
  
  "An amazing stage presence... songs that are so much fun!!" - Jonathan Skurnik (filmmaker)
  
  "Riveting and filled with energy... world-class... He’s a true Renaissance Man." - Denise Jordan-Finley (singer/songwriter)
  
  "Hot! Amazingly tasty!" - Vance Gilbert (renowned singer/songwriter)
  
  “Infectious, irresistible, memorable and tons of fun” - Mitch Teplitsky (documentary filmmaker)
  
  "An inspiring, life-affirming song with a lovely melody and rhythm. . . challenging yet inviting. . . emotionally moving" - Fred Arcoleo (teacher, singer/songwriter)
  
  "There’s such a quality of generosity in your songs, your music, your stage presence. It's as if you're giving the audience a gift -- a chance to simply remember -- to feel -- the goodness of what it means to be a human being, which we so much need in these troubled times. It's a healing experience." - Stuart Garber (holistic practitioner)
  
  "Bruce is the complete package: master of melody, lyrics, vocal and guitar chops to the max and energy to burn! Most importantly, Bruce and his music are one: He is honest and sings from his soul... If you haven't bought his four-song cd, buy it a.s.a.p... I can't stop listening." - Melissa Holland (teacher, singer/songwriter)
  
  "Played your CD over and over all the way home to PA. WOW! I loved every song. I laughed, cried, and bopped along the highway. Thanks so much!" - Annie Mascelli (educator, entrepreneur)
  
  "Your songs are literate, thought-provoking, witty and wise. (Also, I don't know of another folk-blues guitarist that is brave enough to actually delve into the creation of 'rap-songs' with the same flare that you do)... Your expertise on guitar blends the various 'hooks' of folk/blues/jazz and rock into a form of music that becomes it's own beautiful 'beast'. Great songs! Great show! Your new fan, Chris" - Chris Lang (singer/songwriter)
  
  "A huge amount of fun... a joyful musicality" - Tom Weiser (performer)
  
  "Bruce Markow and his smokin' band tore it up at the People's Voice Café on Saturday night before an enthusiastic audience... The wonderful Kim and Reggie Harris provided a great opening set with their great mix of spirituals, civil rights songs and thoughtful, musical original compositions that got everyone right into singing along. Bruce and co. kept right up with the high standard the Harrises set with a tight set of originals by Bruce that got the mind thinking and the toes tapping. It was great to go "Whoa! Whoa!" along with the "Mango" song one more time. Generally, the evening was a reaffirmation that good socially conscious words are being wedded to good, effective music in these troubled times." - Toby Fagenson (singer/songwriter)
  
  "...poetry in motion... truly a gifted writer" - Patricia Sill (designer, coach)
  
  "You are a beautiful, beautiful writer... You have such a unique voice... pure poetry and so filled with love. I am transported by the tapestry of your words." - Beth Davis (hand analyst, coach)
  
  "...good, strong musicianship. Bruce Markow’s technical mastery of his instruments adds a searing world music aspect..." - John Pietaro (concert promoter, musician, union organizer)
  
  "A virtuoso" - Sally Campbell (Peoples' Voice Cafe, NYC)
  
  "A dose of charisma and positive energy!... I found your music particularly positive and look forward to hearing it again and also sharing it." - Kathy Moran (concert promoter, NY, CT)
  
  "We want a BIG event... I liked your vibe so much, I thought you'd be good for this." - Sander Hicks (owner and chief instigator, Vox Pop [cafe], Brooklyn, NY)
  
  "Carefully crafted true-life songs performed with heart and soul." - James Reams (bluegrass musician/concert promoter, Good Coffeehouse Music Parlor, Brooklyn, NY)
  
  "You have a gentle quality, a calm, that makes me feel connected, gives me the effect of connecting to the universe. Your concerts are so fun... I love the fun experience of the singalongs, hopping on the train with the mangos. I get such a joyfulness and deepness. You’re very musical and I feel the joy of the music that moves through you. This may sound simple, but what I want to say is: It makes me feel good." - Jane Babits (singer/songwriter/guitarist)
  
  "Besides being a skilled singer/songwriter, Bruce is an outstanding and versatile musician. The lyrics he writes can be witty, humorous, sincere, wistful. Whether it's a song expressing his frustration and anger about a political situation, a hopeful song about the good in people, or a spirited song whereby he shares with us his delight in one of life's simple pleasures -- MANGOES -- at the end of a Bruce Markow concert I feel uplifted because, despite human foibles and imperfections, Bruce retains his faith in humankind. He feels quite strongly (and, perhaps, a bit idealistically--but, I'm with him!) that love, in its many forms, will triumph, and ultimately allow us to live meaningful lives. I also enjoy the audience participation aspect of a Bruce concert." - Glenda Garrick
  
  "...and you know exactly what NOT to play. After hearing you, I have to go home and work that out myself." - Vance Gilbert (renowned performing singer/songwriter)
  
  "Loved the mandolin!" - SONiA (of disappear fear):
  
  "Fine singing" - Paul Winter (internationally renouned performing/recording artist)
  
  “Bruce Markow set the crowd alight.” - Phil Viner (award winning director and educator, Brighton, England)
  
  “With Bruce’s music, how could we fail?” - Ben Silver (performing songer/songwriter and occasional musical collaborator)
  
  "A mix of spirit, humor and play" - Helen Hiebert (renowned paper artisan)
  
  "...Bruce Markow came to The New Moon Coffee House [now the Echo Lake Coffeehouse] in Leverett, MA at a time when I needed inspiration and turned a tiny New England town into a hot spot and made a small audience feel and sound like a crowd. I decided to come to the gig to be inspired, and that was a wise decision... [He's] written and arranged tunes and words that made a desperate era seem to have potential. Via outstanding lyrics, tunes and arrangements that had us rocking, swaying, and singing along, Bruce made us feel at home, and made me long for his next gig in the Pioneer Valley." - Bob Blue (singer/songwriter, writer, educator)
  
  "The world needs to hear this music." - John Rajpal (teacher)
  
  
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  Find out for yourself what sparked such pleasure and enthusiasm about Bruce's music:
  
  • Enjoy the "Bruce Experience" live at shows
  • Book Bruce for a performance at a venue, a house concert or a special event
  • Purchase his CDs
  
  ...and please help spread the word far and wide.
  
  Thank you!
  

Setlist

In concert Bruce performs one to two sets of 10 to 60 minutes each consisting of two to twelve songs. The most popular format is one 45 to 60 minute set of eight to twelve songs.

The songs emerge out of the singer-songwriter genre, mostly acoustic, alternative "folk" music (in the very broadest sense, and generally with more "production" on recordings) with big nods to folk rock, 60's/70's pop, jazz, Afro-Brazilian, classical and gypsy swing - with lyrics intended to lift us up at least a few notches, while having a fun and juicy time doing it. A musical experience that moves hearts, minds and bodies.

In his multi-sensory concert/experience, "The Mango Festival," Bruce also includes some vivid, engaging stories and a festive ambience.


The most commonly performed songs, all originals:

Treasures
Box Before My Time
Get It While Its Good
Mango
Teach Only Love
Isn't It Strange?
Let's Be Honest
Prayer for Peace
Shine a Little Light
Open My Heart
Love the Time Away

Other occasionally performed originals:

Arriving
Embrace the Child
Feels Like
Good Loving Grows
I'm Rich (Hole in My Pocket)
Lemonade
Mando Medley
Melody of Love
My Swing Guitar Fantasy
No Strings Attached
Phil & Lynne
Rise Again
When Things Fall Apart
You've Given Me Your Love

Co-writes:

Enough
Estamos Muy Contentos
In America
Truth That's Real


Covers:

Is This Love? (Bob Marley)
Hard Times (Stephen Foster)
Something Inside So Strong (Labi Siffre)
Uncommon Love (Carole King)
Undecided (S. Robin/C. Shavers) - from Django Reinhardt's repertoire
Wild Mountain Thyme (traditional)

Basic Requirements

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