Mark White • Jazz Guitarist • Jazz Educator
Mark White is an internationally recognized guitarist, educator and session man. White has worked as a performing jazz guitarist in the U.S. in such deeply diverse musical settings as: George Russell's Living Time Orchestra, Gil Evans, John McNeil, Paul Broadnax, Herb Pomeroy, Larry Monroe, Victor Mendoza, Ken Peplowski, the Ken Hadley Big Band, John Allmark Jazz Orchestra, the Boston Pops, the Bebop Guitars, Boston Musica Viva, and Last Trip. In addition to White’s performances, he has extensive studio and production credits to his name including recordings for Blue Note, King, MMC records, Heineken Jazz Festival, and Grescotmar Ltd. productions.
White has been a featured jazz artist at countless concert venues and festivals throughout the U.S. and Canada including featured performances at Lincoln Center. Some highlights of more than fifteen international jazz performances are the Umbria Jazz Festival, Settembre Musicale, Tokyo Music Joy, Mare de Augusto, and the Heineken Jazz Festival in Puerto Rico. White has also participated in over fifty performances and master clinics for the prestigious Berklee College of Music where he is currently a Senior Professor of Guitar.
White holds a B.A. and Masters degree in Music from the New England Conservatory and has studied with Joe Negri, Joe Pass, Jack Wilkins, Gene Bertoncini and Charlie Banacos. A thirty year veteran of jazz music education, White has enjoyed vibrant music education authorship, having four books with various publishers which include: "Bach Chorales for Guitar Quartet”, “Advanced Reading Etudes for Guitar”, “The Practical Jazz Guitarist” and “Jazz Guitar Fretboard Navigation-From Bach to Bebop”.
Mark is endorsed by Buscarino Guitars and he plays
a 16" Artisan archtop Model in “Plum Pudding” Mahogany With
a 125 year old spruce top
Photo Gallery
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The Mark White Octet
The Mark White Octet is a jazz group dedicated to swinging, precision ensemble performances of charts written by stellar jazz arrangers that feature the exceptional instrumental/improvisational skills of all the members. The group is based on the original Dave Pell Octet that featured many of the West Coast’s finest jazz instrumentalists from the 50’s and 60’s including Dave Pell, Art Pepper, Andre Previn, Marty Paich, Bill Holman, Jack Sheldon, Mel Lewis, Tommy Tedesco, and many more. The arrangements written by Marty Paich, Bill Holman, Shorty Rogers, and others are exquisite, detailed, and sound as fresh and modern as they did on the original recordings. In addition, our octet performances and recording, Can’t We Be Friends?, feature new arrangements and compositions by Richard Lowell, a longtime Berklee faculty member, monster jazz musician, educator and arranger. Dick Lowell’s new charts blend perfectly with the existing Pell library, touch base with the past, yet, move forward musically, breaking new ground in the jazz tradition.
The musicians in this ensemble are among the finest in the New England area-or anywhere for that matter! Each is a dedicated jazz artist bringing superlative instrumental, interpretive, and ensemble skills to the group as well as a wealth of performance experience in the theatre, classical, and commercial music genres. All group members are professional jazz educators and several hold positions currently at leading music institutions.
We feel a great responsibility to expose a new generation to and bring to light some amazing jazz music that needs to and deserves to be rediscovered. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoy playing it!
The Mark White Octet: Mark White (guitar), Scott Deogburn (piano) +, Arnie Krakowsky (tenor sax) +, Ken Reid (bariton sax) +, Rick Hammett (trumpet, flugelhorn), Jon Garniss (trombone), Mark Poniatowski (bass) +, and Kenny Hadley (drums).
“Mark will introduce you to mind-expanding concepts that will take you deep into the never-ending sea of guitar possibilities...”
-Ray Herndon, Guitarist (Lyle Lovett)
“It is rare to find a new jazz recording that consists of 8 top professional musicians from New England, whose total background of playing and teaching exceeds 300 years. It is truly a labor of love. -Al Dean 90.5 WICN””
“Awesome writing! Inventive arrangements, stellar musicianship, and true cool jazz.. Mark White is a gifted and creative improviser and arranger. This recording is a must-hear for listeners who love smooth horns, tasty lines, and excellent jazz guitar. Bravo! -Suzanna Sifter”
