Well, it's time now!
The album is due for release in April and Mark then will also join Jamie Cullum for a series of concerts in Australia. You can read more about his background and music on Mark's website where you're also enabled to listen to some of his songs and read the lyrics. An All About Jazz interview with this young 'crooner' is scheduled and a review of his debut album Real Street is to be expected in the near future.
First impressions? A refreshing blend of heavy-weight musicians (Rob Mounsey-keyboards, Geoff Keezer-piano, Christian McBride-bass, Lewis Nash-drums, Bob Mann-uitar, Chris Potter -sax, Luisito Quintero -percussion and Ricky Peterson-organ) as well as the skills of renowned engineer Al Schmitt in a juxtaposed frame with the light but bearing timbre of Mark Sholtez. The songs are well written, well arranged and quite a surprise if you consider that most new singers these days try to stay on the safe side by choosing the familiar tunes from the American Songbook and other jazz standards.
Like his fellow countryman and musician, trumpeteer Vince Jones, Mark has a distinctive sound and spark in his work that most likely will even appeal more when delivered in live performance... Stay tuned for an AAJ Interview and review of Real Street soon!
For more information contact All About Jazz.
