Mark Adams Band

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NEW YORK BEACON, March 3, 2011 - March 9, 2011 newyorkbeacon.net
Compiled By Don Thomas
Mark Adams has proven to
be one of the premier jazz pianists
of his generation. Introduced to
the piano at the age of five, he
continued his musical studies at
the Greenwich House Music
School with German Diaz and
later with Allison Dean at City
College New York where he received
his Bachelor degree in
Music Performance and Fine
Arts.
In an industry that flows like
the changing tides Mark Adams
has remained a constant source
of inspiration to his colleagues,
family and friends and a constant
reminder that hard work and dedication
is still the best way to climb
the ladder of success. He has
proven to be one of the premiere
jazz pianists of his time.
Adams extensive career has
allowed him to work with such jazz
greats as Roy Ayers, Ron Carter,
Ronnie Laws, Hugh Masekela,
Bobbie Humphrey, Dave Valentine,
Wayne Henderson and tap dancer,
Savion Glover, Erika Badu, Maysa,
Bilal and Jocelyn Browm.
Mark also played in the Broadway
musical “Five Guys Named
Moe,” as well as Off-Broadway
musicals “Keep Bangin” and
“Hoofin’& Bangin,” both shows
produced and directed by Savion
Glover.
This is Adams’ second release
on Roberts Music Group. The first
being, “Feel the Grove a Soul Jazz
Experience,” which is still getting
airplay nationally and internationally.
His second project entitled
“Embellishments (The Q&A
Project),” features Jonathan
Quash.
The work is a blend of jazz standards
and smooth jazz and will be
released in April 2011. Mark has
performed throughout Europe,
with performances in Russia, Germany,
Australia, England and
France.
Adams is currently on faculty
at York College (CUNY) where he
teaches music theory, piano, jazz
style & techniques, jazz improvisation
and keyboard harmony. He
brings with each exciting performance
his innate talent and ability
to keep his audiences engrossed
with his versatility while keeping
the roots of jazz and soul intact.
He is also a published author with
his debut book released in August
2010 called “Basics.” Mark Adams
is now on a months Tour with Roy
Ayers to Australia and Japan returning
to the States at the end of
the month.
Living Legend and multi Grammy Award
winner Aretha Franklin sat down for an
exclusive interview with daytime talk show
host Wendy Williams at The Townsend
Hotel right outside of Detroit, Michigan.
The segment aired on “The Wendy Williams
Show,” Wed., Mar. 2. The ‘Queen of
Soul’ dished on everything from how she’s
feeling these days to her recent tribute at
The Grammy Awards and even marriage
with host Williams over high tea.
(Photo: Sarah Rice/The Wendy Williams Show)
Popular WBLS-FM broadcast personality/philanthropist Debi Jackson,
a/k/a Debi B, who co-hosts “Sunday Classics,” along with her
legendary husband, Hal Jackson, will launch her first photo exhibit
at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building, 163 W. 125th
St., 2nd Floor, during Women’s History Month on Mon., Mar. 7 from
6-8pm. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.
Cheyenne and her brother Christian Wright invited their friends Dana, Salim and Khalil to check
out the recent Monster Jams Big Wheels show at the IZOD Center in Long Island
(Photo: Ronnie Wright)
Introducing - New York Beacon

For a Queens jazz pianist & teacher, music is the key to happiness
BY Mark Morales
DAILY NEWS WRITER

Thursday, March 10th 2011, 4:00 AM


Jazz musician Mark Adams, of Fresh Meadows. is releasing his fourth studio album. An accomplished jazz pianist from Fresh Meadows is once again putting his stamp on the music scene.

Mark Adams, 40, is releasing his fourth studio album, "Embellishments," next month.

When he's not tickling the ivories on stage he teaches music theory at York College and tutors on the side for free.

Composing jazz is more than just making music to tap your feet to, he said. For Adams, it's about how his music affects people.

"When I perform and I touch someone's soul and evoke some emotions or when I'm teaching and they say 'I get it' - those are huge for me," he said.

Adams was born in Baltimore and moved to Rego Park when he was 15. His mother, Zelma, was also a pianist and his father, Kenneth, was a composer for both classical orchestras and Broadway musicals.

Adams recalled banging on the keys of his mother's piano when he was 5 and being fascinated by the sounds.

"I used to sit down and play different notes without knowing what I was doing. It was so easy to create sound," Adams said.

He was soon hooked and begged his parents to get him piano lessons.

Zelma Adams said she still gets goosebumps watching her son play. "I get so excited. My heart starts pounding just like it did when he played recitals as a kid," she said.

Jonathan Quash, the vocalist on the new album and a fellow music teacher at York College, said Adams injects himself into his music, and his intensity is unparalleled.

"If you listen carefully you can hear the details of his life. They are very passionate and he puts everything into those songs," Quash said.

Adams is hosting an album release party at York on March 25 before a 10-city tour starting in April in Port Arthur, Tex. He's also performing later this year in Japan, France and England.

Adams said he hopes to create a citywide music program for public schools that don't have arts programs. Learning to play an instrument can teach kids discipline and develop their minds, regardless of skill level, he said.

"It doesn't matter what level you're at - music is food for the soul," Adams said.
Share58 - New York Daily News

AN ACCOMPLISHED jazz pianist from Fresh Meadows is once again putting his stamp on the music scene.
Mark Adams, 40, is releasing his fourth studio album "Embellishments", April 5th 2011. - New York Daily News

Jazz Pianist Once Again Puts His Stamp On The Music Scene. - New York Daily News