All About Mark Small

Mark Small is a saxophonist/composer who splits his time between the music scenes of Miami and New York City. His music and the performances opportunities he seeks out embody the tradition of jazz saxophonists - the melodicism of Lester Young, the tenacity of John Coltrane, and the whimsy of Sonny Rollins – as well as the search for something unique to express found in the company he keeps.  He has performed with a diverse variety of local jazz players in New York at such clubs as the Blue Note, Village Vanguard, Dizzy’s, Iridium, and 55 bar. Some of these musicians include Darcy James Argue, The Vanguard Orchestra, John McNeil, Martin Bejerano, Kendrick Scott, among many others.

Fulfilling a childhood dream, he became a frequent performer with the Village Vanguard Orchestra at the famed jazz venue.  He has performed and recorded with the Grammy Nominated band lead by composer Darcy James Argue called “Secret Society”, which has garnered praise for such news outlets as NPR, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal. His debut record “One Day” features longtime collaborators Damion Reid on drums and Matt Brewer on bass. He was also able to take his co-lead group called “Bronze” (with saxophonist Walter Smith) into the studio for their debut album on the Fresh Sound/New Talent label.

Ever expanding his performance opportunities, Mark has played frequently for the Broadway musical “Chicago” as well as playing saxophone, clarinet, and acting in the award wining short film “The Drummer”. He can be heard on comedian Louis C.K.’s hit FX show, “Louie”, playing saxophone and clarinet. This diverse experience has afforded him chance opportunities to work with other artists as far afield as Aretha Franklin, Joan Rivers, and Don Rickles.

Mark’s break into the touring world came with a call to join Warner Recording Artist Michael Buble’s band. His work with Michael has taken him on 3 world tours playing most major theaters and arenas in the US, UK, Australia and Europe. They performed in over 35 countries and on numerous television programs including the “Today Show”, “Letterman Show”, “Late night with Jay Leno”, “Ellen”, “The Parkinson Show” (UK), “Junos” (Canada), and the “Logies” (Australia). Mark was a featured soloist on both saxophone and clarinet for the Grammy award winning DVD “Michael Buble meets Madison Square Garden” as well as a live performance for PBS (Grammy award winning “Caught in the Act”). His work for Michael has included arranging, composition and re-orchestration as well as performing on saxophones and clarinet.

Mark has received accolades in a number of national and international competitions, taking first prize in the East Coast Jazz Festival Competition, 3rd place in the World Saxophone Competition, and as a semifinalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk Saxophone Competition, placing him among the world’s finest. He is an active educator and clinician currently teaching saxophone/theory/improvisation at New World School of the Arts, University of Miami, Miami-Dade College, and Coral Gables CAP program.  He is a frequent collaborator with programs such as Miami’s JECC (jazz education for youth) as well as UNC Asheville’s Summer Jazz Camp.